The Long Haul (1957)

After leaving his U.S. Army job in Germany, a trucker takes a long-haul driver job in Britain where he runs into an organized-crime syndicate that controls the trucking industry.

Director:

Ken Hughes

Writers:

Ken Hughes (screenplay), Mervyn Mills (novel)

Stars:

Victor Mature, Diana Dors, Patrick Allen

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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
John Harvey	...	Supt. Macrea
Roland Brand	...	Army Sergeant
Stanley Rose	...	Foreman
Raymond Barry	...	Depot Manager

Storyline

Desperate to earn money, Harry hooks back up with Joe Easy. The best scene is when they make the final run to cash out a load of furs and they get lost on the way through the forest. The three drive the truck over the mountain to connect with the waiting ship in the harbor. The rocky terrain is a tense journey, until they try to cross the steam. Then it gets really good when they get stuck and have to remove a front tire in the middle of the stream. Harry's arm gets caught under the truck fender, they get loose but can't get up the embankment. There's an OK fist fight and then the trucks load slide off and crushes Joe Easy. That gets Harry & Lynn to the waiting ship. Harry then has guilty remorse and returns with Lynn to the wife and hospitalized son. They reconcile and the Police arrest harry for all his crimes.Lynn heads back to her dead end life at "The Congo Club"

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Plot Keywords:

british noir | truck driver | london england | long haul truck | crime syndicate | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

December 1957 (USA)

Also Known As:

Die Fahrt in den Abgrund

Filming Locations:

London, 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

Easy's car is a 1956 Ford Zephyr MKII 2-door convertible.

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Goofs

The license plate on Harry's truck changes between scenes. For example when he leaves the diner after the fight it is SLP-672 and when he arrives in Glasgow it's OLO-482.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Army Sergeant: Hiya Harry, what kept you?
Harry Miller: Are you kidding? You know what you can do with this weather.

User Reviews

Great film, high quality in all areas

This is a very good film, starting with a great , sensitive script, terrific acting from Victor Mature and Diana Dors , and beautiful wide-screen B&W photography.

Anyone who's ever doubted the two leads acting ability should see this film. Diana Dors is particularly great in a role which was a surprise to me, displaying great sensitivity beyond the script, which is already very good.

I highly recommend this movie, it is much more than just a trucker, road action flick.

The relationships of the principal characters are very well drawn,

and the outcome is not the normal cliché ending one might expect.

The Long Haul is really a great film-noir of the 50s era, as good as any of the classic 40s noir, I believe.

It is available on DVD ... see it , you won't be disappointed.