The Long Arm
Performance & Direction: The Long Arm Review
Last updated: January 25, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Long Arm (1956) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 6.9/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Mystery.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Mystery is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Long Arm features a noteworthy lineup led by Jack Hawkins . Supported by the likes of John Stratton and Dorothy Alison , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of The Long Arm (1956) is generally positive. With an audience rating of 6.9/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Story & Plot Summary: The Long Arm
Quick Plot Summary: The Long Arm is a Mystery, Crime, Thriller film that presents a compelling narrative that engages viewers from start to finish. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Ending Explained: The Long Arm
Ending Breakdown: The Long Arm concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to mystery resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the mystery themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The Long Arm reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
The Long Arm Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
The Long Arm incorporates elements from real criminal cases. As a mystery, crime, thriller film, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement.
Historical Context
The film takes creative liberties to enhance dramatic impact. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.
Creative interpretation shapes the final narrative, focusing on emotional truth over strict chronology.
Accuracy Assessment: The Long Arm adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch The Long Arm?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Mystery films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want solid genre entertainment
Top Cast: The Long Arm
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Where to Watch The Long Arm Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
NetflixThe Long Arm Parents Guide & Age Rating
1956 AdvisoryWondering about The Long Arm age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Long Arm is 96 minutes (1h 36m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.9/10, and global performance metrics, The Long Arm is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1956 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Long Arm worth watching?
The Long Arm is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Mystery movies. It has a verified rating of 6.9/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Long Arm parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Long Arm identifies it as NR. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The Long Arm?
The total duration of The Long Arm is 96 minutes, which is approximately 1h 36m long.
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How The Long Arm Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for The Long Arm
The key is to follow the key! The Long Arm is directed by Charles Frend and written by Janet Green and Robert Barr. It stars Jack Hawkins, John Stratton, Dorothy Alison and Michael Brooke. Music is by Gerard Schurmann and cinematography by Gordon Dines. Detective-Superintendent Tom Halliday (Hawkins) heads up an investigation into a number of safe cracking robberies. Which in turn turns into a murder investigation. Out of Ealing Studios, this is a little cracker of a police procedural detective mystery. The flow of the investigation is natural, not given over to wild implausibilities, and always the air of mystery is potent. On the outskirts of the investigation there's a running thread about how policemen's wives/girlfriends suffer in their own ways, their men are married to the force, and this is delicately handled by the makers. While the moments of wry levity are not misplaced. Production is spiffing, with a number of London locations vibrantly used and given a film noir sheen by Dines (The Blue Lamp), while Frend (Scott of the Antarctic) keeps it tight and interesting whilst getting grand perfs from the cast - notably a wonderfully regal Hawkins. So if you are looking for an old time British policer that doesn't insult your intelligence, then you need look no further. 8/10
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
