The Long Arm

The Long Arm

Year: 1956

Runtime: 96 mins

Language: English

Director: Charles Frend

CrimeMysteryThriller

Scotland Yard detectives race to halt a wave of safe‑cracking burglaries sweeping England, starting with evidence uncovered at a recent London break‑in. The film adopts the gritty police‑procedural style popularized by Ealing’s 1950 classic The Blue Lamp, and was released in the United States under the title The Third Key.

The Long Arm (1956) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at The Long Arm (1956) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In post‑war London’s fog‑filled avenues, a quiet panic spreads as a series of audacious safe‑cracking burglaries rattles the nation. The city’s under‑belly, already bruised by rationing and reconstruction, now trembles under the shadow of crimes that strike at the very heart of its financial confidence. The film captures this atmosphere with a gritty, documentary‑style edge, echoing the procedural realism of classic British thrillers while the bustling streets and dimly lit offices pulse with an almost palpable tension.

Leading the chase is Tom Halliday, a seasoned superintendent whose calm demeanor masks a relentless drive for order, and his newly appointed partner, Ward, an eager detective sergeant whose fresh perspective often challenges traditional methods. Their partnership, built on a mixture of mutual respect and subtle rivalry, propels the investigation forward, each bringing a distinct approach to unraveling the pattern behind the thefts. As they sift through clues and interview witnesses, the duo must balance bureaucratic constraints with the urgency demanded by a public increasingly uneasy about the invisible menace slipping through the city’s locks.

The tone remains tight‑knit and immersive, with rain‑slicked cobblestones and the clang of late‑night factory whistles underscoring every lead. The narrative unfolds like a chess match, its moves hinted at through meticulous police work rather than explosive action, inviting the audience to linger over the subtleties of motive and method. Within this world of methodical pursuit, the detectives walk a fine line between procedural exactness and the unpredictable nature of the criminal mind they chase, setting the stage for a tense, atmospheric race against an unseen adversary.

Last Updated: December 05, 2025 at 09:28

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Methodical Police Procedurals like The Long Arm

Stories that follow detectives piecing together a case through meticulous legwork.Discover movies like The Long Arm that focus on the detailed, realistic work of police investigations. If you enjoyed the step-by-step detective work and evidence gathering in this film, you'll find similar satisfaction in these methodical crime stories and police procedurals.

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Narrative Summary

Narratives in this thread typically follow a linear investigation, progressing through a series of clues and setbacks. They often feature a dedicated, professional protagonist who relies on reason and procedure over flashy action, leading to a climax that validates their meticulous approach.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here based on their shared focus on realism and the procedural aspects of crime-solving. They share a common mood of calculated urgency and intellectual engagement, prioritizing the 'how' of the investigation over sensationalist thrills.

Tense Cat-and-Mouse Thrillers like The Long Arm

High-stakes narratives where law enforcement sets a dangerous trap for elusive criminals.If you liked the final stakeout and chase in The Long Arm, explore these other tense cat-and-mouse thrillers. These films feature similar high-stakes games of strategy between police and criminals, building suspense towards a dangerous and decisive confrontation.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves establishing a clever criminal, the formulation of a risky police trap, and a final, often physical, confrontation. The journey is one of escalating tension, where the calm precision of the plan gives way to the chaos of its execution.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their core dynamic of a strategic duel and their ability to build palpable tension. They share a specific narrative structure that moves from planning to execution, creating a cohesive vibe of suspenseful anticipation.

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The Long Arm Summary

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The Long Arm Summary

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The Long Arm Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Long Arm

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape The Long Arm. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Long Arm

More About The Long Arm

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