Hell Is a City (1960) in Color — Starring Stanley Baker & John Crawford

Hell Is a City (1960) — Buy This Classic in Color

Dive into the gritty streets of 1960s Manchester with Hell Is a City, a taut British crime thriller directed by Val Guest. Starring Stanley Baker as the dogged Inspector Martineau, John Crawford as the ruthless escaped convict Don Starling, and Donald Pleasence as a nervous bookmaker, this film is a landmark of the British crime cycle. The story follows Martineau’s pursuit of Starling, who flees prison to retrieve hidden loot and terrorizes the city. With bold colorization, the period-accurate costumes and smoky pub interiors leap off the screen. Own this classic movie in color as a DRM-free MP4 digital download for just €15.00.

Plot Summary

Inspector Harry Martineau of the Manchester City Police is a seasoned detective with a no-nonsense approach. When notorious convict Don Starling escapes from Strangeways Prison during a violent breakout, Martineau is immediately assigned the case. Starling is a ruthless thief who left behind a loot of £20,000 from a heist, and he is determined to recover the money hidden somewhere in the city. Martineau knows Starling’s history—a man who kills without hesitation—and orders a manhunt across Manchester’s industrial backstreets and working-class neighborhoods.

Starling makes his way to the home of his frightened wife, Mary, who wants nothing to do with him. He learns that his old accomplices are either dead or in hiding, and that the money is still untouched in its hiding place. However, his violent temper and desperation quickly draw attention. He beats a pawnbroker and steals a car, leaving a trail of clues. Martineau and his team, including Detective Sergeant Hudson, painstakingly piece together Starling’s movements, aided by a cautious informant. The tension rises as the city buzzes with fear of the escaped killer.

Starling’s path crosses with a lonely barmaid named Lois, who is drawn to his dangerous charm. Unaware of his true identity, she provides him with shelter—and a fleeting moment of humanity. But Starling’s violent instincts cannot be suppressed for long. He confronts a bookmaker, Gus Hawkins (Donald Pleasence), who knows too much about the hidden money. The confrontation escalates into a deadly confrontation in a backstreet pub, leaving Hawkins dead and Martineau with a fresh lead.

As the noose tightens, Starling becomes increasingly unstable. He forces his way into the home of an elderly couple, holding them hostage while he waits for a chance to retrieve the loot. Martineau, using his knowledge of the criminal underworld, anticipates Starling’s next move and sets a trap at the secret location—a derelict factory on the outskirts of town. But Starling, cunning and desperate, slips away again, leading to a frantic chase through Manchester’s rooftops and alleys.

The final confrontation brings Martineau face to face with Starling in a tense showdown at the old factory. The money, the violence, and the city itself hang in the balance. Will Martineau’s relentless pursuit finally end Starling’s reign of terror, or will the convict escape once more, leaving a trail of blood?

Cast & Crew

Director: Val Guest
Stars: Stanley Baker, John Crawford, Donald Pleasence, Maxine Audley, Billie Whitelaw

Why Buy This Classic in Color?

The original black-and-white photography of Hell Is a City captures the bleak industrial atmosphere of Manchester, but this professionally colourised edition adds a stunning new dimension. The brownstone streets, green park benches, and the red double-decker buses of the era are rendered in period-accurate hues, revealing the visual texture of the late 1950s. The colorization brings out the subtle costume choices—Starling’s sharp suit, Martineau’s trench coat—and the smoky, amber-lit interiors of the pubs, enhancing the performances by grounding them in a more tangible world. Stanley Baker’s steely gaze and John Crawford’s menacing presence are even more intense against the restored colors. This colorized version is a perfect way to experience the film for the first time or to revisit it with fresh eyes. Purchase your download today for just €15.00 and receive the film instantly as a DRM-free MP4 file.

Historical Significance

Hell Is a City stands as a key entry in the British crime film revival of the late 1950s and early 1960s, alongside classics like The Blue Lamp and Hell Drivers. Director Val Guest, best known for his work on Hammer’s The Quatermass Xperiment and The Day the Earth Caught Fire, brought a documentary-style realism to the crime genre. Shooting on location in Manchester—rather than in studio backlots—gave the film an authenticity that impressed critics and audiences alike. Stanley Baker, already a major star after The Guns of Navarone, delivers a powerhouse performance as the principled but weary inspector, while John Crawford makes a chillingly effective villain.

The film was based on a novel of the same name by Maurice Procter, a former police officer who wrote gritty crime fiction. Procter’s deep knowledge of Manchester’s police procedures and underworld gave the story a ring of truth. The film was a modest box office success and has since become a cult favorite among fans of British noir. It also features early roles for Donald Pleasence and Billie Whitelaw, both later internationally celebrated.

Today, Hell Is a City remains a valuable snapshot of a changing Britain—post-war, but still haunted by poverty and crime. Its themes of obsession and justice resonate as strongly as ever. This colorized edition allows a new generation to discover the film’s raw energy and social commentary, making it accessible while preserving its original spirit.

Technical Details

• Format: MP4 / MKV digital download
• Resolution: HD 720p
• Colorized: Professionally colorized from original black and white
• Audio: English original mono
• Runtime: 98 minutes
• DRM-free: Yes — watch on any device
• Instant download: Available immediately after purchase
• Price: €15.00

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Movie-Specific Questions

Q: Was Hell Is a City originally filmed in color?
A: No, Hell Is a City was originally shot in black and white. This page offers a later professional colorized restoration, not a studio colour release.

Q: What novel is Hell Is a City based on?
A: The film is based on the 1959 novel Hell Is a City by Maurice Procter, a former police officer whose books often featured Inspector Martineau.

Q: Which British city serves as the primary setting for the film?
A: The film is set in Manchester, England, and was largely shot on location there, giving it a gritty, authentic feel.

Digital Download Questions

Q: What format is the download?
A: The film is delivered as MP4 and MKV files that play on virtually any device.

Q: Is there DRM on the file?
A: No. The download is completely DRM-free so you can watch it on any device without restrictions.

Q: How quickly can I watch after purchase?
A: Your download link is available instantly after payment, so you can start watching within minutes.

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