Karry Best movie of this year hands down!

CrawlerChunky In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

Bea Swanson This film is so real. It treats its characters with so much care and sensitivity.

Portia Hilton Blistering performances.

TheLittleSongbird Classic film, mystery thrillers/crime dramas, the cast in general and seeing Dirk Bogarde pre-stardom was a recipe for greatness. 'The Blue Lamp' is more than great, more like an excellent film.It is easy to see why 'The Blue Lamp' was considered a classic of the post-war Era, of British cinema and film in general at the time and by those who remember it fondly now. Just as much it was easy to see why it was the most popular British film of its year. Sadly, it is a film that is deserving of more credit nowadays. Despite being as great as it is, 'The Blue Lamp' isn't perfect (but comes close). It is undermined only by two performances that don't make the grade and stick out like a sore thumb compared to the sterling work from the rest of the cast.One is Jimmy Hanley, who is rather lightweight in his role which is a somewhat dull one to begin with. The other, and more problematic, is Peggy Evans, who is far too histrionic in hers and it becomes irritating, some of it is amateur hour too.However, nothing can be faulted with everything else. It looks great still, the use of locations are gritty and have a real sense of dread while also being beautifully designed. The lighting is suitably ominous and the cinematography is stylish and every bit as rich in atmosphere. The film is hauntingly scored too and Basil Deardon's direction is taut from the start and never lets go, letting the tension really speak and keeping things at a cracking pace.'The Blue Lamp' has a tightly structured and thoughtful script, and is interesting for its realistic portrayal of the austere times that pushed people into crime. As well as portraying the police in a way that is of the time but never over-glamourized, trivialised or made to look like fools. The story is always compelling with a clever, if not the most surprising, mystery that delivers on the suspense and tension. The confrontation between Dixon and Riley being unforgettable in its shock value, one of British film history's most shocking.Evans and Hanley aside, the rest of the cast do sterling work. As good as Jack Warner and Bernard Lee are the film is stolen by an outstanding Dirk Bogarde, it's hard to believe that Riley was a pre-stardom role that put him on the map and to this day it's one of his best, he's never been more chilling than here.Overall, a post-war British classic, notable for its atmosphere, realism and Bogarde's performance. 9/10 Bethany Cox

gavin6942 The daily routine of two London policemen is interrupted by a killer.So, the description I read was that this film was an influence on later crime stories. I am not entirely sure how. While I enjoyed the film, and it was fun to see some English police in action, I am not sure what was so unique and different about this.I get that it comes from Ealing Studios, which is one of the less-celebrated British studios (behind Hammer, for one). And Ealing needs more exposure. I also get that it launched the television show "Dixon of Dock Green", that lasted over twenty years (quite a feat all by itself). But we do not celebrate Tracy Ulman for giving us "The Simpsons"...Heck, I have even heard that this was the 29th most viewed film in the United Kingdom ever, as well as the 10th most popular British film ever. But I am not sure why.

Michael O'Keefe THE BLUE LAMP is a police story that some say is the future template for the genre. This drama is about the Paddington Green police station with a focus on two Bobbies; one the veteran George Dixon(Jack Wagner)and rookie on the beat, Andy Mitchell(Jimmy Hanley). A mundane routine has Dixon ready to retire and Mitchell eager to make himself a career. A quiet London neighborhood gets a buzz on when two lowlife hoodlums(Dirk Bogard and Patric Doonan)commit murder. The plot and acting are impressive and a fine dedication to the policemen that walk the beat and earn the respect of the people they protect. Other players: Bruce Seaton, Robert Flemyng, Bernard Lee and Peggy Lewis. Filmed entirely in London and directed by Basil Dearden.

blanche-2 "The Blue Lamp" is a British film told in semidocumentary style about the rise of youth crime in Britain after World War II. It follows a seasoned policeman, Dixon (Jack Warner) and a rookie (Jimmy Hanley) and two young thieves, played by Dirk Bogarde and Patric Doonan. When Dixon is shot while trying to stop a robbery, the police search for the perpetrators. The film shows their painstaking grunt work and questioning, and also how the case dovetails another one, the disappearance of a young woman, Diana Lewis (Peggy Evans, quite possibly one of the worst actresses ever to hit movies).This was the film that made 28-year-old Dirk Bogarde a star - he plays the cold, desperate and volatile Tom Riley with the great intensity that was to set him apart from other actors. There was no one quite like him in film - movie star handsome and emotionally complex, with what can best be described as a glint of madness in his eyes. He could play just about anything and did. Not satisfied with matinée idol status, he took the lead in the controversial film Victim in 1961 and wrote after its release: "Overnight, the 4000 maniacs who were writing to me stopped." That was fine with him! Very good movie, with excellent performances all around, with the exception of the hysterical, annoying performance by Evans. Jack Warner does a wonderful job as kindly, experienced P.C. Dixon - so wonderful, in fact, that he continued to play the role after the film in a television series.This is sort of the "Naked City" of London. Very good.