The Long Haul

I've just seen the 88m version of this film on a 'Hollywood Movie Greats' video and feel compelled to add my opinion because I feel the other reviews don't do this film justice. The Overlook Film Encyclopedia of the Gangster Film (edited by Phil Hardy, 1998) calls it an 'impressive...tough, exciting movie that, for its time, is remarkably full of nasty and sleazy characters...' They go on to mention the uniformly good performances including Diana Dors who is 'excellent'. In fact, if you're a fan of noir, Diana Dors, and Victor Mature, this is a triple whammy. Dors is lovingly lit throughout, weather with gleaming blonde hair giving her an almost angelic allure when Mature first realises he's a goner as he looks at her, or whether weeping in the shadows of a car's backseat; by the final scene only the truly cynical will be left unmoved by her performance. Okay, there's nothing particularly new or genre-bending in the script, but the relationships,whether amatory, or detailing the struggle of a fundamentally honest man trying not to succumb to the corruption of the low-lifes surrounding him, are more than adequately depicted. Perhaps the longer version has some slack; many films are improved by trimming. Well-written, well-shot, well-acted, well - what more do you want?

Although other comparisons have been made, the American film that this British noir film seems to bare the biggest resemblance for me is the Dick Powell-Lizabeth Scott-Jane Wyatt classic Pitfall. The same plot situation is at work here in The Long Haul with Mature caught between wife Gene Anderson and the voluptuous Diana Dors. The way Dors was coming on to him who could blame Vic for stumbling a bit.

Mature plays a recently discharged American GI who married a British bride and they have a son. He wants to go to America, she wants to stay in the UK. Mature acquiesces temporarily and gets a job as a truck driver handling the big rigs. The truck drivers in Great Britain seem to have the same work ethic and style as they do on this side of the pond.

But a string of bad luck forces Mature into a smuggling operation with Patrick Allen whose girlfriend is Diana Dors. Circumstances bring Mature and Dors together and with those two Jayne Mansfield like weapons of mass destruction she's sporting those who are attracted by same would find it impossible to resist.

The Long Haul with Mature giving it some American box office appeal is a pretty good noir thriller. Though the framework of the story is Pitfall like the ending comes out somewhat different. After over 50 years the film holds up very well for today's audience.

And Diana Dors's appeal is eternal.

Harry (Victor Mature) and Connie have a horrible marriage. You don't realize to what extent when the film begins...but there are definite signs they are having trouble when she refuses to move to the States when Harry's hitch in the service is over...and they HAD agreed on this move. Harry gives in and later his resentment comes out...in the form of a sexy receptionist, Lynn (Diana Dors). However, there is much more to the story...in fact, the main thrust of the film is Harry's job with a trucking company in the UK. It's run by a real creep, Joe Easy (Patrick Allen) and the guy isn't above faking hijackings of his trucks (so he can sell the loads), slapping folks about and even murder!! So how does Harry fit into all this?

In many ways, this film has a very noir feel to it. However, unlike most American noir pictures, pretty much everyone in it is a jerk! Connie is a poor excuse for a wife, Harry's moral compass becomes more and more bent through the course of the film and everyone has an aura of sliminess about them. This is NOT a complaint...more an observation. If you are looking for heroes...well, you won't really find any here....just jerks and bigger and nastier jerks! My complaint isn't really this...it's the ending when, inexplicably, there is some selflessness! Still, an exciting British film...and worth seeing.

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.

"The long haul" is another Ken Hughes movie who directed interesting B crime movies like "Joe Macbeth" and " Wicked as they come" (with the magnificent Arlene Dahl). American Victor Mature wishes to go back home in US, but stays a few months in Scotland to please his wife (so funny to see Mature in a duffle coat). Mature becomes involved in nasty business as a truckdriver getting deeper and deeper in problems, when he meets the angelic Diana Dors, struggling against Nigel Patrick who excells at being nasty. All that part makes me think of "Thieves' Highway". And the last part with the run in a Leyland truck is impressive , it reminds me of "Wages of fear" by Clouzot. Though Ken Hughes is less more talentuous than Dassin and Clouzot, and there are a few ridiculous dialogues.