Last Updated : 31 Jul 2009

A fascinating film set in mid 1950s Liverpool with a theme that would probably not be acceptable today.   David McCallum plays "Johnny Murphy", an unemployed youth who goes around the city starting fires.   The film ends with him in the local school, armed with a gun, where he holds school children as hostages resulting in one little girl getting shot.   Stanley Baker plays a police detective who gets seconded as Juvenile Liaison Officer and keeps an eye on the Murphy family after one of the young twins is caught stealing.   The film also features Peter Cushing as the Priest at the local church plus a young Freddie Star playing one of Johnny's gang.

Tsai Chin, a Chinese actress who later gets fame in James Bond movies including "You Only Live Twice" and "Casino Royale" plays "Primrose" in this film, the girlfriend of Johnny's accomplice "Alexander", who works for a laundry service.

Location shots include Gerard Gardens, where the Murphy family comprising Johnny, sister Cathie (Anne Heyward) and their little twin brother and sister all live.   There is also a scene at Central Station and one under the Overhead Railway which includes a passing Dock Railway Train.   The film includes a police chase in the Mersey Tunnel when Johnny is attempting to get away in the Laundry Van.