The Long Shadow (1961 film)

For other uses, see Long Shadow (disambiguation).

The Long Shadow is a 1961 British second feature ('B')^[1] drama film directed by Peter Maxwell and starring John Crawford, Susan Hampshire and Willoughby Goddard.^[2] It was written by Manning O'Brine and filmed at Pinewood Studios.^[3]

The Long Shadow
Directed by	Peter Maxwell
Written by	Manning O'Brine
Produced by	John Pellatt
Starring	John Crawford Susan Hampshire
Cinematography	Norman Warwick
Edited by	Allan Morrison
Music by	Bill McGuffie
Production company	Argo Film Productions
Distributed by	J. Arthur Rank Film Distributors
Release date	31 July 1961 (1961-07-31) (UK)
Running time	64 minutes
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English

Plot summary

In Vienna during the Cold War, the Russians and Americans try to gain control of a boy who can be manipulated for political purposes. An American newspaper journalist attempts to save the Hungarian child and a Swedish nurse from certain death.

Cast

• John Crawford as Kelly
• Susan Hampshire as Gunilla
• Willoughby Goddard as Schober
• Humphrey Lestocq as Bannister
• Rory O'Brine as Ruchi Korbanyi
• Anne Castaldini as Magda
• Margaret Robertson as mother
• Bill Nagy as Garity
• Lily Kann as old lady
• Hana-Maria Pravda as matron
• Gisele Burke as Lisel
• Sean Sullivan as Burgen

Reception

The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "Yet another adventure of that meddlesome, gallant, punch-drunk type, the American foreign correspondent, this time engaged in spy-bashing and the foiling of kidnappers in a remarkably unconcerned Austria. As usual the mackintosh-clad East Europeans talk sinister but fight fair and are deservedly thwarted with heavy casualties. Perhaps what this worn-out fantasy genre needs to refurbish it is a drama about a sub-editor, kept late at the office impatiently revising the undoubtedly ill-phrased, garbled copy of these screen journalists-of-fortune who show talent for almost every activity but writing."^[4]