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 – Pool of London (1951)

Trace every key event in Pool of London (1951) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Dunbar arrives at the Pool of London

The Dunbar docks with a crew eager for shore leave in the bustling city. Dan MacDonald pushes to seek quick excitement, while Johnny Lambert watches London with a quieter curiosity. The setting frames their introduction to post-war London, a place of opportunity and peril.

arrival at the docks, morning Pool of London
2

Dan seeks quick money in the city

Dan wanders the streets, looking for a fast, easy way to supplement his wages. He spots the chance of a big score and weighs it against the risk. This willingness to gamble makes him vulnerable to criminal influences.

shortly after arrival London streets
3

Johnny forms a tentative friendship with Pat

Johnny spends time with Pat, a young white woman who offers him kindness despite social barriers. Their budding friendship hints at a more inclusive moment in a divided city. Pat’s warmth stands out against the era’s racial prejudices.

shortly after arrival London streets
4

Gang offers Dan a smuggling job

A gang approaches Dan with a substantial sum to smuggle stolen diamonds out of the country. He agrees, seeing it as an easy way to turn a profit. He does not fully grasp the criminal scale of what he’s agreeing to.

soon after the gang approaches Docks/City streets
5

Violence erupts: watchman killed

The smuggling plot turns deadly when a gang member kills a watchman, drawing the police into a high-profile investigation. The city becomes tense as officers begin following leads. Dan remains unaware of the full extent of the plot.

shortly after the murder Docks, near patrol routes
6

Dan realizes he’s been set up

As investigators close in, Dan understands he’s been used as a pawn in a larger crime. He realizes his only option is to try to escape and protect Johnny, whom he wants to keep uninvolved. The stakes escalate quickly.

as the net tightens London streets
7

Dan attempts to reach the Dunbar before departure

Dan races through crowded streets and docks, hoping to slip back to the ship before it sails. He fights to outrun the authorities and salvage some control over his fate. But time is running out.

late in the pursuit Docks/London streets
8

Dan surrenders to the police

Cornered at the last moment, Dan chooses to hand himself over to the police. This act of self-sacrifice is meant to spare Johnny and to redeem himself in his own eyes. The authorities take him into custody as the net finally closes.

final arrest Docks/Police station
9

Dunbar prepares to depart without Dan

With Dan in custody, the Dunbar is ready to sail, leaving the harbor as the city comes to terms with the situation. Johnny watches the ship leave, spared from sharing the criminals' fate. Dan’s surrender thus reshapes the voyage’s outcome.

departure moment Harbor/Dunbar
10

Johnny reflects on life in London

Johnny contemplates the challenges he faces as a Black man in post-war Britain. The experience of the city and his brush with crime shape his views on belonging and future. The weight of racial prejudice weighs on his memory.

after the events London streets
11

Pat and Johnny’s brief kindness stands as resistance

Pat's moment of kindness toward Johnny remains a quiet counterpoint to racial divisions. Johnny carries that memory as a sign of dignity amid prejudice. The scene underscores a subtle, hopeful resistance in a divided society.

during his stay in London City streets
12

Pool of London: a stark, realistic ending

The story closes with a grounded portrait of post-war London and its social tensions. The interracial relationship on screen marks a breakthrough moment for British cinema, lingering in the audience’s memory. The film emphasizes the era’s gritty realism and social challenges.

closing scene Pool of London

Last Updated: October 07, 2025 at 08:50

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Pool of London Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Pool of London

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Pool of London

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