'Tiger Bay' is undeniably an original film. But even the most original films take inspiration from other films to some degree. That is impossible to avoid. Even if only in mere details. I'd say that the inspiration for 'Tiger Bay' came directly from one of the finest movies ever: 'The Window' (1949). At least in both a child witnesses a murder.
John Mills, a honorable actor, stars in this but the great surprise is his daughter, the no less famous Hayley Mills. This was her acting debut, before her Disney days. She had no acting experience before, which is almost too difficult to believe, considering her brightness. Horst Buchholz is great too.
Hayley Mills plays Gillie, a tomboy. Despite that and her boy-like hair, she's utterly cute. Ironically she looks innocent yet she's not all that innocent. In fact, she is wayward and has the habit of lying. Through the mail slot, Gillie witnesses a murder committed by a young polish sailor (played by Horst Buchholz).
There are many authentic scenes with children playing in the streets, settings of docks and other stuff and shots of docks filmed in great angles.
The whole church sequence, from when Gillie sings in her choir until she is chased by the criminal into the attic (it's all dark and she's alone with him) and confesses what she saw is very good and well-done. It's a tense and suspenseful scene. The film is generally quite good until well beyond that. Later on, it's still good enough but not as good. The ending sort of redeems itself, thanks to its greatness.
John Mills, a honorable actor, stars in this but the great surprise is his daughter, the no less famous Hayley Mills. This was her acting debut, before her Disney days. She had no acting experience before, which is almost too difficult to believe, considering her brightness. Horst Buchholz is great too.
Hayley Mills plays Gillie, a tomboy. Despite that and her boy-like hair, she's utterly cute. Ironically she looks innocent yet she's not all that innocent. In fact, she is wayward and has the habit of lying. Through the mail slot, Gillie witnesses a murder committed by a young polish sailor (played by Horst Buchholz).
There are many authentic scenes with children playing in the streets, settings of docks and other stuff and shots of docks filmed in great angles.
The whole church sequence, from when Gillie sings in her choir until she is chased by the criminal into the attic (it's all dark and she's alone with him) and confesses what she saw is very good and well-done. It's a tense and suspenseful scene. The film is generally quite good until well beyond that. Later on, it's still good enough but not as good. The ending sort of redeems itself, thanks to its greatness.