Good movie but grossly overrated

I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

Tells a fascinating and unsettling true story, and does so well, without pretending to have all the answers.

The acting is good, and the firecracker script has some excellent ideas.

...recent phenomenon encouraged by the freedom of movement amongst EU citizens(or even instigated by it)"Passport to shame" will reassure you that bad men and women have always found the ways and means to give the public whatever it desires - at a price. Sixty years ago behind the curtains of the dirty book shops, members' clubs and private cinemas in Soho the dubious delights of commercial sex were available to anybody brave or desperate enough to seek it out. Pimping is not known as "The second oldest profession" for nothing. Offering so - called "protection" for sex workers for a high percentage of their earnings but in reality dealing in extreme violence and intimidation to keep their charges in line, pimps are loathed and feared in equal measure. Coppers certainly hate them. I met plenty of villains I was happy to have a drink with but I never met a pimp who I didn't want to smack around then put in a cell for a very long time. Unfortunately the latter at least didn't happen very often as evidence was hard to come by in such a climate of fear. Mr Herbert Lom,a charming and urbane man in real life plays a capo di tutti capo pimp as to the manner born. Ably assisted by Miss Brenda de Banzie as his little helper he "recruits" young girls onto the streets. Unfortunately for them their efforts at procuring incur the wrath of Mr Eddie Constantine (often used when relative exotica required) and Mr Robert Brown(hopefully no relation to William Brown,but one never knows) and in a pre Minicab London the black cab drivers make it their business to interfere with Mr Lom's business and put him out of it. "I had that Jack Spot in my cab the other day" I waited hopefully for one to say. Miss Diana Dors was sufficiently familiar with London low - life to give her role an edge of authenticity. You may find it under it's nom de movie "Room 43"on one of the more esoteric Freeview channels. Do watch it,I promise you won't regret it.

Among the sundry delights to be found in this British white slavery sexpose is the gonzo turn by Herbert Lom. As London's mac daddy supreme Nick Biaggi, Lom is a sight to behold, a horn-doggie dandy in homburg, lapel carnation and spats (au courant fashion be damned). He's low-key at first, oozing oily charm and generosity, the better to bamboozle naive French waif Odile Versois, who's been lured into a life of shame by Lom's field procurer/mamasan/mistress Brenda De Banzie. But behind closed doors it's a whole 'nother Herb. Channeling his inner Michael Gough, he's all over Odile like a cheap suit, manhandling her love handles and assaulting her face with wet, slobbering kisses. It's truly an unhinged spectacle; even Lom's toupee looks like it has an erection.Also in the house: affable tough guy Eddie Constantine as the world's least likely Canadian, the always welcome Robert Brown (Tumak's dad in One Million Years B.C., 'M' in the Bond films of the '80s) as a two-fisted cabbie who rouses his fellow hacks to do battle with the 'ho-mongers, Diana Dors, poured into bum-busting skirts and Frederick's of Soho lingerie, as a hooker with a score to settle, and, as the groom at a wedding party, a remarkably young Michael Caine.All this plus a wacky weed-induced dream scene that must be seen to be disbelieved.Lowdown high times guaranteed.

A pre-credit introduction by Fabian of the 'Yard' attempts to sell this as an expose of vice with special reference to human trafficking - very relevant today - but it quickly segues into just another girl-in-jeopardy thriller in which vice is only peripheral. The first fifth shows how easy it is for an innocent and naive girl to be recruited and groomed though one would have to question how any girl falsely accused of stealing a few francs from the till would be so scared to return to France and face a few francs fine. Having framed the pigeon (Odile Versois) Herbert Lom and Brenda de Banzie need a work permit for her and that's where taxi driver Eddie Constantine comes in. Also 'befriended' by Lom he is persuaded to go through a marriage of convenience with Versois who is then whisked away. Then, in a completely unexplained and inexplicable turnabout Constantine begins to worry about Versois and attempts to track her down. From then on it's just another guy looking for a girl and building to a climax straight out of Hue and Cry except for kids read cabbies. Enjoyable tosh with sightings of Lana Morris, Joan Collins and Michael Caine.

Gritty and hard-hitting story starring Diana Dors, dealing with the profession of prostitution.An unusual Film - Taxi Drivers versus the Pimps! One of Diana Dors' biggest Movies and most dramatic performances of her career during the fifties - co-starring Herbert Lom as the cowardly Pimp who comes to a sticky end.Dors plays a reluctant prostitute, but life takes a turn for the better after she witnesses her kid sister destroyed by the profession - along with the involvement of a new 'recruit' whose fate mirrors that of her tragic sister. Vicky (Dors) gets her revenge on Nick (Lom) when the whole operation is blown apart by a group of meddling Taxi Drivers.This Film may seem a little confusing at the beginning, but stick with it - you'll be glad that you did! It's an exciting and dramatic story - fast-paced with a great climax at the end, and includes some dramatic moments along the way. Brenda de Banzie gives a chilling portrayal of the woman with the 'twin' personality. Eddie Constantine plays the hero in this with solid determination. After seeing this Movie, it will leave the Viewer with the question; is there really such wonderful and heroic guys as Johnny McVey? The world could certainly do with a few of them!Look out for a young Joan Sims and an early brief appearance of Ann Reid (Coronation Street) plus Michael Caine!Great Film and long overdue for Video and DVD release.