Pool of London

Pool of London

Year: 1951

Runtime: 85 mins

Language: English

Director: Basil Dearden

DramaThrillerCrime

A drama of the river underworld Jewel thieves, murder, and a manhunt swirl around a sailor off a cargo ship in post-war London.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Pool of London (1951)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Pool of London (1951). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

late 1940s to early 1950s

Post-war London serves as the backdrop: dockside activity, bustling streets, and a city still healing from the war. The Pool of London area demonstrates a melting pot of characters amid social divisions and shifting attitudes toward race and class. The setting captures a city in transition, where ordinary life collides with crime and social change.

Location

Pool of London, London

The film unfolds in the Pool of London area around the river Thames, with the bustling docks, pubs, and diverse crowds. The post-war city is alive with activity and a sense of rebuilding, reflecting social changes and tensions. The atmosphere blends crime-ridden streets with moments of quiet humanity as people navigate daily life.

🏙️ Urban setting ⚓ Docklands 🌊 River Thames

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:54

Main Characters – Pool of London (1951)

Meet the key characters of Pool of London (1951), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Dan MacDonald (Bonar Colleano)

A streetwise sailor pulled into a diamonds-smuggling plot. He starts with the lure of easy money but is forced to confront the consequences of crime. His arc moves from self-interest toward a costly act of responsibility and moral reckoning.

⚓ Seafaring Life 💸 Quick Money 🧭 Moral Dilemma

Johnny Lambert (Earl Cameron)

Dan’s reserved Jamaican friend who sees London through a different lens. He faces racial prejudice and social barriers, yet remains steadfast and humane in his interactions with Pat. His presence challenges stereotypes and broadens the film’s view of urban life.

🌍 Racial Prejudice 🤝 Friendship 🏙️ Urban Life

Pat (Susan Shaw)

A young white woman who shows kindness to Johnny and becomes a quiet moral center in a tense city. Her relationship with Dan and Johnny hints at resistance to social norms, highlighting moments of tenderness amidst danger.

💗 Interracial Connection 💬 Kindness 🏙️ Urban Life

Maisie (Moira Lister)

A social presence in Pat’s circle, providing perspective on how people navigate relationships and reputation in a crowded, diverse city. She embodies the film’s note of everyday humanity within the urban tapestry.

🌆 Social Scene 🎭 Social Pressure 🧭 Perspective

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:54

Major Themes – Pool of London (1951)

Explore the central themes of Pool of London (1951), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🌈 Race & Prejudice

The film centers on an interracial connection between Johnny and Pat, highlighting the social barriers facing mixed relationships in post-war Britain. London’s streets expose prejudices and judgments from different communities, while acts of kindness challenge those norms. The story uses daily interactions to question racial stereotypes and show glimpses of dignity across lines of color.

🔎 Crime & Morality

A diamonds-smuggling plot pulls Dan into a web of crime, corruption, and danger. The investigation tightens around the Dunbar's crew, illustrating how crime corrupts ordinary life. Dan’s choices test loyalty, legality, and personal responsibility as the net closes in.

🕊️ Redemption

Dan ultimately chooses to sacrifice himself, trying to protect Johnny and Pat from forced involvement. His surrender to the police becomes a moment of moral reckoning and self-sacrifice. The ending reframes struggle and loss as a possible path to personal redemption.

🏙️ Urban Life

Pool of London paints a vivid portrait of post-war urban life, where busy docks meet tight-knit communities in the city’s backstreets. The film juxtaposes glamour with hardship, showing how strangers intersect in crowded spaces. It also captures the environment where crime, work, and romance coexist amid social tensions.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:54

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Unlock the Full Story of Pool of London

Don't stop at just watching — explore Pool of London in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Pool of London is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Pool of London Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Pool of London, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Pool of London Summary

Pool of London Timeline

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Pool of London Timeline

More About Pool of London

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More About Pool of London

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