Flame in the Streets
Flame in the Streets

Movie spotlight

Flame in the Streets

1961
Movie
93 min
English

Domestic difficulties develop in a working-class family when their daughter falls in love with a Jamaican man.

Insights

IMDb7.3/10
Director: Roy Ward BakerGenres: Drama, Crime

Plot Summary

In London, a racist factory foreman, Jack Roper, attempts to sabotage the career of a respected black colleague, Nelson Arthur, by spreading rumors that Arthur is having an affair with Roper's daughter. This act of prejudice triggers a chain of events that exposes the deep-seated racism within the community and forces characters to confront their own biases.

Critical Reception

Flame in the Streets was a significant and timely film, praised for its direct and unflinching portrayal of racial tensions in Britain. Critics lauded its performances, particularly from John Mills and Sylvia Syms, and its willingness to tackle a controversial subject matter with nuance and realism. It was considered a powerful social drama that resonated with audiences for its examination of prejudice and its consequences.

What Reviewers Say

  • The film is commended for its sensitive and realistic handling of racial prejudice.

  • John Mills delivers a compelling performance as a morally conflicted character.

  • It effectively highlights the social and personal costs of racism.

Google audience: Information on specific Google user reviews for this 1961 film is not readily available.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival.

Fun Fact

The film was made by the Rank Organisation and was a notable example of British cinema addressing contemporary social issues of immigration and racial discrimination.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

It wasn't just in the USA that racial tension was rife in the 1960s, it was also pretty toxic for many living in urban Britain too. That's exemplified here by the young "Peter" (Johnny Sekka) who works at a factory where there's a sort of t...