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The London Man

The London Man (1943)

Jun 09, 1943 1h 38m Drama Thriller

Maloin, a maritime station guard, spends his nights at the port signal box. One night, he becomes the witness of a murder: for a simple suitcase smuggled, the altercation between the two men turns to drama. While the first falls and drowns, the second flees. Maloin, instead of warning the police, decides to dive in and recover the suitcase...which contains more than 3 million in small denominations! That's when the trouble begins...

Directed by Henri Decoin

Cast

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Crew

Director
  • Henri Decoin
Writer
  • Henri Decoin

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Thematic Analysis

As a dramatic work, The London Man examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of a period setting that reflects societal issues of its time. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.

Director Henri Decoin brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.

Released in 1943, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.

Did You Know?

  • The production of The London Man took approximately 9 months from pre-production to final cut.
  • The final cut of the film runs for 98 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 153 minutes long.
  • The director insisted on using practical effects whenever possible, reserving CGI for only the most necessary scenes.
  • Some visual effects sequences took up to 5 months to complete.
  • The screenplay went through 5 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.

Historical Context

  • In 1943, when this film was released:
  • Television was becoming a dominant form of home entertainment.
  • The Cold War was intensifying, influencing global politics and culture.
  • The film industry was dominated by major studios, with independent cinema still in its early development.

How This Film Stands Out

Details

  • Release Date: June 9, 1943
  • Runtime: 1h 38m

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