Tiger Bay

It's been a long time since I first saw this movie, but it's one that I'll likely never forget. Hayley Mills is truly a joy to watch. She portrays the many moods with ease and is deservedly one of the best-loved child stars. Horst Buchholz gives a very believable portrayal of a young man betrayed and bewildered by the action of his girlfriend and of his murdering her. Hayley as Gillie is the strong one in this movie. She is the one who hides him and protects him after getting the gun from him. She seems to relish her role. As others have said already the ending seems to be lacking true zest. I actually can't remember what happened. However, the rest of the movie, showing the wonderful interaction between Gillie and the sailor is more than worth the price of admission or the DVD.

This film stars the Cinema Idol Horst Bucholz as a Polish Sailor returning to his girl-friend, only to find her in the arms of another man. In a jealous rage, he shoots and kills the woman. The only witness to this crime of passion is a 12 year old girl (played by newcomer Hayley Mills), who saw everything through a letter-box.

What follows is a suspenseful chase by the law, as well as a bitter sweet character study of the likable murderer and the girl who may hold the power to tip the scales of justice. The ending is not much of a surprise, but it's great fun getting there! In glorious black & white photography, this is a true Classic! Not only do we get introduced to the pre-Disney sweetheart Hayley Mills (who won a Special Juvenile Oscar for her outstanding performance), but we see the celebrated James-Dean-like heart throb Horst Buchholz in one of his early, and much acclaimed roles.

This movie stands out, I think, for not looking studio-bound in any way, unlike most British movies of the era. TIGER BAY is generally filmed very well with a nice blend of close-ups and low angles. It also succeeds in developing a sense of suspense that does not let down until the last few frames.

TIGER BAY is about a sailor, Korchinsky, who returns to Cardiff after being abroad for some months to discover his estranged fiance has been unfaithful in his absence. In a moment of anger, he shoots her dead in her apartment.

Initially unknown to Korchinsky, a young tomboy, Gillie (Mills), who would "rather play with guns and dress up as a gangster" than wear a dress, has witnessed the deed. Mills is almost unrecognisable in her role as the "proper little liar" apart from her full smile of teeth and her undeveloped trademark voice.

Gillie is a young girl who likes playing pranks as part of her good-hearted but cheeky nature. During the entire film, it seems she can never quite full understand or appreciate the devastation of the murder she has witnessed. As an example of her cheekiness, she takes the hidden gun and ammunition to show off to her fellow choristers at a church-wedding!

Korchinsky and Gillie become friendly after the murder and must avoid the authorities together as they both eventually become wanted for their respective parts in the murder - Gillie as a witness to the act, who has taken off with the murder weapon, and Korchinsky as he eventually becomes suspect for the deed itself. At the moment of truth, will Gillie stick up for her new friend?

this is a hidden gem... quickly, the film transports you to a different world, one of varying shades of gray, skies, people, emotions, degrees of truth.... the cinematography is surprising and fresh for a movie that is more than 40 years old, the camera angles that tell more in a one-second frame than a lot of movies nowadays take minutes to set up and then fail to do... there are no special effects, but there are plenty of moods and thoughts carried on faces in close-up and in backgrounds that move the story along.. hayley is great, the scene where she re-enacts the murder alone is worth watching the movie for.. and buchholz also is fun to see and totally credible in how his heart has pushed him in ways he never thought he would go.... a very brave man indeed..

I saw this movie on television as a child. After almost 40 years, it still stays in my mind, and I can, even now, remember certain scenes, especially the ending. To me, this is what movies are all about. I don't own a DVD player and, unfortunately, this movie seems to be available only on DVD. Ah well, I suppose I'll have to buy a DVD player soon. Give yourself a rare treat and watch this movie. I guarantee you'll be moved. You may even find yourself with a tear in your eye.