Tiger Bay (1959)
A taut British thriller set in Cardiff's docklands, where one girl's dangerous secret binds her to a killer and confounds the law.
Tiger Bay - Movie Information
- Original Title: Tiger Bay
- Release Year: 1959
- Directed by: J. Lee Thompson
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Thriller, Crime
- Runtime: 1h 45m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: Polish, Spanish, English
- Release Date (Theatrical): March 1, 1959 (United Kingdom - PG), July 31, 1959 (Germany - 16)
- Alternative Titles: Ich kenne den Mörder (DE)
- Production Companies: Independent Artists
- Production Countries: United Kingdom
Tiger Bay - Plot
In Tiger Bay, the docklands of Cardiff, rough-and-tumble street urchin Gillie witnesses the brutal killing of a young woman at the hands of visiting Polish sailor Korchinsky. Instead of reporting the crime to the authorities, Gillie merely pockets a prize for herself — Korchinsky's shiny black revolver — and flees the scene. When Detective Graham discovers that Gillie has the murder weapon, the fiery young girl weaves a web of lies to throw him off course.
Tiger Bay - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see this classic British thriller come to life:
MURDER...enacted before the eyes of a little girl. She alone has the proof the police are searching for.
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Tiger Bay - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- J. Lee Thompson
Main Cast
- John Mills
- Horst Buchholz
- Hayley Mills
- Yvonne Mitchell
- Megs Jenkins
- Anthony Dawson
- George Selway
- Shari
- George Pastell
- Paul Stassino
Writers
- John Hawkesworth
- Noël Calef
- Shelley Smith
Producers
- Leslie Parkyn
- Julian Wintle
- John Hawkesworth
Tiger Bay - FAQs
Where can you stream Tiger Bay (1959)?
Tiger Bay (1959) is available to stream on the Criterion Channel as part of its curated classic film library. It can also be rented or purchased digitally on Amazon Video. Availability may vary by region, so check JustWatch for the most current options in your area.
Was Tiger Bay Hayley Mills's film debut?
Yes, Tiger Bay (1959) marked Hayley Mills's feature film debut at just twelve years old. Her performance as the feisty, resourceful Gillie was so impressive it earned her a BAFTA Award for Most Promising Newcomer and launched one of British cinema's most celebrated young careers.
What is Tiger Bay (1959) about?
Tiger Bay follows Gillie, a street-smart young girl in Cardiff's docklands who witnesses a murder committed by Polish sailor Korchinsky. Rather than alerting police, she steals his revolver and lies to protect him, sparking an unlikely bond between the two as Superintendent Graham closes in.
Who are the main actors in Tiger Bay?
The film stars John Mills as Superintendent Graham, Horst Buchholz as the fugitive sailor Korchinsky, and Hayley Mills as the tenacious young witness Gillie. Supporting roles are filled by Yvonne Mitchell, Megs Jenkins, Anthony Dawson, George Selway, Shari, George Pastell, and Paul Stassino.
Did Tiger Bay win any awards?
Tiger Bay earned considerable recognition upon release. Hayley Mills won the BAFTA Award for Most Promising Newcomer to Leading Film Roles, and the film received a BAFTA nomination for Best British Film. It also won the Silver Bear Special Jury Prize at the 1959 Berlin International Film Festival.
Who directed Tiger Bay and who wrote the screenplay?
Tiger Bay was directed by J. Lee Thompson, who would go on to helm The Guns of Navarone. The screenplay was written by John Hawkesworth and Shelley Smith, adapting the novel Rodolphe et le Revolver by Noël Calef, transposing the story from France to the Welsh docklands of Cardiff.
How long is Tiger Bay and what is its age rating?
Tiger Bay runs for approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes (105 minutes). The film was rated PG upon its United Kingdom release in March 1959, reflecting its tense thriller content that remains accessible to older children and family audiences despite its crime-driven subject matter.
Is Tiger Bay based on a book or true story?
Tiger Bay is not based on a true story. It is adapted from the 1955 French novel Rodolphe et le Revolver by Noël Calef. Screenwriters John Hawkesworth and Shelley Smith relocated the story from France to the atmospheric docklands district of Cardiff, Wales, giving the film its distinctive British character.
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