Sapphire (1959)

In 1950s London racial hostility to Commonweath immigrants is openly paraded. A pregnant girl, initially assumed to be white, is murdered. As two detectives start to investigate, and ... See full summary »

Director:

Basil Dearden

Writers:

Janet Green, Lukas Heller (additional dialogue)

Stars:

Nigel Patrick, Michael Craig, Yvonne Mitchell

Won 1 BAFTA Film Award. Another 2 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Nigel Patrick	...	Superintendent Robert Hazard
Michael Craig	...	Inspector Phil Learoyd
Yvonne Mitchell	...	Mildred
Paul Massie	...	David Harris
Bernard Miles	...	Ted Harris
Olga Lindo	...	Mrs. Harris
Earl Cameron	...	Dr. Robbins
Gordon Heath	...	Paul Slade
Jocelyn Britton	...	Patsy
Harry Baird	...	Johnnie Fiddle
Orlando Martins	...	Barman
Rupert Davies	...	Jack Ferris
Yvonne Buckingham	...	Sapphire Robbins
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Robert Adams	...	Horace Big Cigar
Freda Bamford	...	Sgt. Cook

Storyline

In 1950s London racial hostility to Commonweath immigrants is openly paraded. A pregnant girl, initially assumed to be white, is murdered. As two detectives start to investigate, and discover her racial origins were much more mixed, public prejudices and those of the officers themselves are exposed.

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Plot Keywords:

detective | police | racism | london england | sergeant | 

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Taglines:

The sensational story of a girl who didn't belong.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 November 1959 (USA)

Also Known As:

A gyűlölet áldozata

Filming Locations:

Hampstead Heath, Hampstead, London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Artna Films Ltd., Rank Organisation, The

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Dirk Bogarde was asked to play Learoyd.

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Quotes

Dr. Robbins: There's no assurance for me and my kind, Superintendent. I've been black for 38 years, I know. She may have looked white, but Sapphire was colored.
Superintendent Robert Hazard: Your sister was murdered. We'll find out who killed her.
Dr. Robbins: I'm sure that is your intention.
Superintendent Robert Hazard: It is my intention. It's also my job.

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Connections

Featured in London - The Modern Babylon (2012)

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Soundtracks

"Sapphire"
Music by Philip Green
Lyrics by Sonny Miller
Sung by Jimmy Lloyd

User Reviews

A really intense experience.

The real problem with television broadcasting is that the better movies of the last century are held from the viewers. SAPPHIRE could be shown as a double bill with AN INSPECTOR CALLS. There are not enough movie buffs to push some of these classics so that they can be shown to today's audiences ..which would really appreciate them.