The Long Haul (1957)

After being discharged from the U.S. Army in Germany, Harry reluctantly follows his wife to England where he lands a job as a truck driver. It is not long before his boss, Joe Easy, tries ... See full summary »

Director:

Ken Hughes

Writers:

Ken Hughes (screenplay), Mervyn Mills (novel)

Stars:

Victor Mature, Diana Dors, Patrick Allen

Cast

Cast overview:
Victor Mature	...	Harry Miller
Diana Dors	...	Lynn
Patrick Allen	...	Joe Easy
Gene Anderson	...	Connie Miller
Peter Reynolds	...	Frank
Liam Redmond	...	Casey
John Welsh	...	Doctor
Meier Tzelniker	...	Nat Fine
Michael Wade	...	Butch Miller
Dervis Ward	...	Mutt
Murray Kash	...	Jeff
Ewen Solon
Jameson Clark	...	MacNaughton
Wensley Pithey

Storyline

After being discharged from the U.S. Army in Germany, Harry reluctantly follows his wife to England where he lands a job as a truck driver. It is not long before his boss, Joe Easy, tries to involve the ex G.I. in a smuggling operation. Harry first resists but Joe throws Lynn, his own mistress, into his arms and he soon forsakes his scruples. After Lynn has become his lover Harry leaves his wife. When he feels he has made enough money, he considers getting back to the States with Lynn. But just then an accident happens to Butch, his young son...

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Plot Keywords:

british noir | based on novel

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Taglines:

SILK, FLESH AND DYNAMITE! (original print ad - all caps)

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

December 1957 (USA)

Also Known As:

Die Fahrt in den Abgrund

Filming Locations:

England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Marksman Productions Ltd., Warwick Film Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Columbia Pictures released this film on a double feature with The Hard Man with the tag line: "The Long Haul will DELIGHT You! The Hard Man Will EXCITE You!"

User Reviews

MANY FINE CONTRIBUTIONS CAN NOT OVERCOME THE SCRIPT.

This is a stalwart attempt to produce an example of British Noir, its screenplay reducing its importance. Distributed by Columbia, this work based upon a novel by Mervyn Mills was well received in England, due in large part to popularity of its principal female player, Diana Dors, whose skill as actress stands and falls solely upon her physical attributes. Victor Mature portrays Harry Miller, an American soldier who, after his discharge in Germany, moves to England with wife Connie (Gene Anderson) and son since his spouse rejects all attempts to return to the United States with his new family. Harry finds employment, through an uncle of his wife, as a truck driver, his occupation in military service, and carries out his duties with diligence, but tension increases for the married pair because of Connie's determination to remain in England near her family. Harry's strained home life makes him vulnerable to a liaison with Lynn (Dors), girl friend of illicit marketeer Joe Easy (Patrick Allen) and the ex-G.I. soon forsakes his honour by becoming embroiled in smuggling operations with Easy. The script written by director Ken Hughes is hackneyed as Hughes relies upon melodrama at the expense of character development, as evidenced by his often trite dialogue. Not surprisingly then the most interesting action takes place during scenes requiring little discussion, when Harry, Joe and Lynn are struggling to maneuver a large fur-laden rig across rocky expanses in the Scottish Highlands to rendezvous with an anchored vessel. Mature makes the best of his lines, giving an earnest performance but acting honours go to Allen with his consistent reading as Harry's dishonest boss and rival for Lynn's affection, while good turns are given by Liam Redmond and John Welsh; Dors is barely adequate, until she speaks. Suitably atmospheric jazzy scoring by Trevor Duncan and Basil Emmott's fluid camerawork are impressive, along with skillful contributions from Raymond Poulton (editing) and John Hoesli (sets), all sadly minimized due to a banal scenario.