Watch London in the Raw

London in the Raw is a documentary movie that takes us on a journey through London's seedy underbelly. The movie is one of a series of "Mondo" films that were popular at the time, exploring the more taboo and controversial aspects of society. It was directed by Arnold L. Miller and produced by Stanley A. Long, who went on to make many similar films in the years that followed.

The film begins by introducing us to London, one of the most vibrant and diverse cities in the world. We see the bustling streets, the towering buildings, and the many different people who call the city home. However, as we delve deeper into the movie, we are taken on a darker journey through the city's less glamorous areas.

The movie explores various aspects of London life that were considered taboo at the time. This includes a look at the city's underground sex scene, featuring strip clubs and sleazy nightclubs where men and women cavort with each other in front of a leering audience. We also see footage of prostitutes working the streets, and hear from some of the women themselves about the dangers and difficulties of their profession.

Drugs and alcohol also feature heavily in the movie, with scenes showing people drinking and smoking in seedy bars and clubs. We see a glimpse of the heroin epidemic that was starting to take hold in the city, with addicts shooting up in filthy back alleys.

Another theme of the movie is the contrast between the privileged and the underprivileged in London society. We see posh parties where the upper class drink and dance with abandon, while just a few miles away, homeless people sleep on the streets and struggle to find enough to eat. The movie does not shy away from these inequalities, instead presenting them as a harsh reality of life in the city.

As well as exploring these darker aspects of London life, the movie also takes a more lighthearted look at the city's subcultures. We see young Mods and Rockers hanging out in coffee shops and blasting their music through the streets, and we also witness the bizarre world of the Teddy Boys, with their outrageous fashion sense and love of vintage music.

Throughout the movie, we are guided by the narration of David Gell, a well-known radio DJ of the time. Gell introduces each new scene with a wry sense of humor, but also with a sense of genuine fascination for the city he is showing us. His narration adds an extra layer of interest to the movie, providing context and commentary on the various scenes we see.

The movie is shot in a stark black and white, which adds to its gritty, documentary feel. It is clear that the filmmakers were not trying to glamorize the city, but instead wanted to show it in all its raw, unvarnished reality.

Overall, London in the Raw is an intriguing snapshot of a particular moment in London's history, showing us a city that was simultaneously vibrant, exciting, and deeply flawed. While some of the scenes may be shocking to modern audiences, the movie succeeds in capturing the spirit of the time, and provides a fascinating insight into the seedy underbelly of a city that has always been both loved and reviled.

London in the Raw is a 1964 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 18 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.2.