The Long and the Short and the Tall (1961): Cast & Plot
The Long and the Short and the Tall is a 1961 war drama directed by Leslie Norman, starring Laurence Harvey as Pvt. 'Bammo' Bamforth, Richard Harris and Richard Todd. It runs 1 hour 50 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 50m (110 min)
- Director
- Leslie Norman
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Michael Balcon Productions
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Long and the Short and the Tall About?
The premise of The Long and the Short and the Tall without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Based on Willis Hall’s play, a British patrol in the jungle is tasked with recording ambient sounds to mislead the enemy. As they move toward what they believe is the base, radio contact fades and they hear only a Japanese broadcast, realizing they are near an enemy camp. The cynical Private Bamforth clashes with Corporal Johnstone, and when they capture a Japanese soldier, each man’s true character is revealed.
The Long and the Short and the Tall Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- jungle
- group
- pow prisoner of war
- based on a stage play
- soldier
- british soldier
- jungle warfare
- conscience
- mission
- corporal
- japanese soldier
- shootout
+38 more Show fewer
- cave
- rifle
- bayonet
- rain
- anti war
- radio transmission
- abandoned building
- mule
- behind enemy lines
- patrol
- radio operator
- grenade
- unarmed man killed
- southeast asia
- grabbed by the throat
- fistfight
- crying man
- punched in the face
- crushed to death
- explosion
- explosive
- abandoned mine
- wading through water
- year 1942
- japanese army
- british army
- machine gun
- submachine gun
- thompson sub machine gun
- shot to death
- shot in the head
- shot in the face
- shot in the chest
- stabbed in the stomach
- stabbed with a bayonet
- photograph
- tearing up a photograph
- sergeant
The Long and the Short and the Tall Cast & Characters
Laurence Harvey leads the cast as Pvt. 'Bammo' Bamforth, with Richard Harris as Cpl. Johnstone and Richard Todd as Sgt. 'Mitch' Mitchem. Directed by Leslie Norman; 8 actors are credited in all.
- Director Leslie Norman
-
Laurence Harvey as Pvt. 'Bammo' Bamforth -
Richard Harris as Cpl. Johnstone - Richard Todd as Sgt. 'Mitch' Mitchem
- Ronald Fraser as L / Cpl. Macleish
Also Starring in The Long and the Short and the Tall
· 4 more- Kenji Takaki Tojo
- David McCallum Pvt. Sammy Whitaker
- John Meillon Pte. Smith
- John Rees Pte. Evans
More from Leslie Norman
More films directed by Leslie Norman: The Masqueraders, Spare the Rod, Dunkirk and The Shiralee.
The Long and the Short and the Tall Plot Summary
What happens in The Long and the Short and the Tall from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 5-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
During the Japanese invasion of Burma in 1942, a seven-strong British sonic deception unit on a short jungle exercise takes shelter from the rain in a hut set inside an abandoned tin mine. The mood is tense and the atmosphere crowded with squabbles, as the men constantly bicker under the pressure of danger and fatigue. The bullying Corporal Johnstone Richard Harris frequently needles the others, while the ever-watchful Bamforth Laurence Harvey spends much of his time mocking the teased and teased-back, creating a fragile undercurrent of hostility that hissed under their breath like static.
Full summary
The whole story of The Long and the Short and the Tall, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know The Long and the Short and the Tall?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which actor portrays Corporal Johnstone in the film?
The Long and the Short and the Tall Also Known As
4 alternative titles, including “Jungle Fighters” and “Sieben gegen die Hölle”.
- Also known as
-
- Jungle Fighters
- Sieben gegen die Hölle
- La pattuglia dei 7
- La patrouille égarée
Seen The Long and the Short and the Tall?
Movies Like The Long and the Short and the Tall
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Too Late the Hero, Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan and Bataan.
The Long and the Short and the Tall FAQ: Cast & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of The Long and the Short and the Tall, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Long and the Short and the Tall?
The Long and the Short and the Tall runs 1 hour 50 minutes (110 minutes).
When was The Long and the Short and the Tall released?
The Long and the Short and the Tall was released on February 28, 1961.
Who directed The Long and the Short and the Tall?
The Long and the Short and the Tall was directed by Leslie Norman.
More films by Leslie Norman Who is in the cast of The Long and the Short and the Tall?
The Long and the Short and the Tall stars Laurence Harvey as Pvt. 'Bammo' Bamforth, Richard Harris as Cpl. Johnstone and Richard Todd as Sgt. 'Mitch' Mitchem, among 8 credited actors.
Does The Long and the Short and the Tall have a post-credit scene?
No. The Long and the Short and the Tall has no extra scene during or after the credits.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
