Flame in the Streets

Flame in the Streets is a 1961 British drama film directed by Roy Ward Baker.It was written by Ted Willis. The Cinematography and editing was done by Philip Green and Roger Cherrill.

Synopsis : Racial tensions manifest themselves at home, work and on the streets during Bonfire Night in the burgeoning West Indian community of early 1960s Britain. Trades union leader (Mills) fights for the rights of a black worker but struggles with the news that his own daughter is planning to marry a West Indian, much against his own logic and the prejudice of his wife.

The lighting in certain scenes shows that the blacks in a more darker light and the the white in a bright light.

Having white and black people as couples were frowned upon in these times, making life difficult for the couple.

Tensions are high at the Warehouse were both races work. A line between both caused many problems and discrimination which is shown in the film when a speech is made. It would of made an effect on the audience for a white person to stand up for the coloured people, it would of also showed that between both races there wasn't much of a difference between the two as they all worked hard at there jobs.

Later in the film when a fight happen where the white group hassle a coloured man in a car. The white group is represented in a poor light and its makes the audience pity the coloured for being treated badly. However it doesnt show all the whites to be bad as before the fight both races mix while watching the bonfire.

There was still a divide in mixed races as the black stand at the black of the meeting while the whites are forward.

The households of the white family and the married couple show a big difference in life style. The white family's house is very clean big and nice looking. Where as the married couple live in one room that is very run down. This shows a stereotype version of how black people lived compared to white people.

In the movie instead of showing the black people are the bad guys it's shows the white people having the issue. This paints a bad light of the white culture of britain and places sympathy on the blacks.