Watch The Blue Lamp

The Blue Lamp is a British crime film released in 1950. The movie is directed by Basil Dearden and stars Jack Warner, Dirk Bogarde, and Jimmy Hanley in lead roles. The film is known for its realistic portrayal of police work and the underworld of London's East End. The story starts with a young couple, Tom and Diana, who are spending an evening watching a film at a local cinema. As they leave the theatre, they are mugged by a gang of young criminals who steal their money and run off. The police are soon on the scene, looking for the culprits. One of the police officers, Andy Mitchell (played by Jimmy Hanley), is new to the force, and he is eager to catch the criminals. Along with his partner, he soon finds a group of young men who match the suspects' description. However, as they try to arrest them, one of the officers is shot by the gang, and the criminals run away.

The movie then follows the police officers as they try to solve the case and bring the criminals to justice. Throughout the film, the audience is introduced to various characters, both police officers and criminals, who are all part of the same world. One of the most notable characters is PC George Dixon (played by Jack Warner), an experienced police officer who is popular with his colleagues and much respected by the community.

As the story progresses, the film explores the relationships between the police and the criminals, as well as the complex social situation in London's East End. The portrayal of the criminals is particularly interesting, reflecting the poverty, desperation, and hopelessness of their situation. The audience is shown how difficult it is for young men to escape a life of crime, especially when all the opportunities for a better life seem out of reach.

One of the standout performances in the movie is Dirk Bogarde, who plays Tom Riley, one of the young criminals involved in the mugging. Bogarde delivers a powerful and nuanced performance, capturing the complexity of the character and making the audience care about him despite his criminal deeds.

The Blue Lamp is a well-made film, with strong performances and realistic, gritty cinematography. It is also notable for its historical significance, as it was one of the first British films to portray the police in a positive light, helping to establish the genre of the police procedural. The film was a commercial and critical success, winning the BAFTA award for Best British Film in 1951.

In summary, The Blue Lamp is a gripping and engaging crime drama that offers a vivid and honest glimpse into the world of the police and the criminals they pursue. The characters are well-drawn and the performances are excellent, making for a compelling and memorable film that still holds up today.

The Blue Lamp is a 1950 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 24 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8.