The Lavender Hill Mob 1951
Directed by
Charles Crichton
Made by
General Film Distributors (GFD)
Plot Summary
Discover the intricate plot of The Lavender Hill Mob (1951). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.
In the lively backdrop of Rio de Janeiro, a wealthy man, Henry Holland (Alec Guinness), finds himself recounting a thrilling chapter of his life to a guest. He reflects on how his previous mundane days as a bank clerk in London evolved into an exhilarating escapade. After twenty years of monotony overseeing gold bullion deliveries, Holland becomes increasingly restless and devises a plan to escape his dull routine while exploiting the value of the precious metal.
The turning point comes with the arrival of Alfred Pendlebury (Alfie Bass), an imaginative artist residing at Holland’s boarding house. It soon emerges that Pendlebury owns a foundry known for creating distinctive gifts, many of which are sent to Paris. Seeing an opportunity, Holland shares his idea with the eager artist, who is quick to support him.
As Holland faces a departmental transfer, the duo springs into action, enlisting the help of petty criminals Lackery Wood and Shorty Fisher. On the day of their audacious heist, the two criminals hijack the gold bullion van, cunningly swapping its valuable load with items transported in one of Pendlebury’s work vans. Holland then assumes the role of an innocent bystander, garnering praise for his swift alerting of the authorities.
While their partners ship the melted gold, recast into Eiffel Tower paperweights for foreign markets, Holland concocts a web of misleading information to misdirect Inspector Farrow’s investigation. Although Wood and Fisher are hesitant to travel to Paris to claim their share, they trust Holland and Pendlebury with the task of distributing their rewards.
The celebration of their triumph quickly takes a chaotic turn as they realize they must reclaim the gold sent to Paris. Their adventure leads them to the iconic Eiffel Tower, where they discover that one box of their gold paperweights has been compromised, and six of them have ended up in the hands of a group of unwitting English schoolgirls. The ensuing chase for the mischievous girls spirals into a comical pursuit as they strive to recover their precious loot.
In the mayhem, Holland and Pendlebury successfully recover five paperweights but find themselves in a bind for the last one. Their quest intensifies upon learning that the final paperweight has been gifted to a policeman at an exhibition illustrating police history at Hendon Police College. As Inspector Farrow closes in on the truth, their anxiety amplifies.
With their ruse unveiled, Holland and Pendlebury hastily flee in a stolen police vehicle, triggering a wild chase through London. To further complicate their predicament, Holland uses the police radio to disseminate false information, aiming to mislead their pursuers. Their escapade takes a turn for the worse when they unknowingly offer a lift to an officer, resulting in their capture.
As Pendlebury gets caught, Holland makes a narrow escape with the remaining six golden paperweights, securing his financial future. However, back in Rio, the visitor has keenly listened to the entire saga, and it soon becomes apparent that the stolen money has vanished. As they part ways, it is unveiled that Holland is, in fact, handcuffed to his companion – a disheartening indication that his criminal misadventures have ultimately ensnared him.
Timeline
Track the key events of The Lavender Hill Mob (1951) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.
Henry Holland's Monotonous Life
Henry Holland leads a mundane life as a bank clerk overseeing gold bullion deliveries in London. After twenty years of monotony, he grows increasingly restless, yearning for adventure and excitement beyond his daily routine.
The Arrival of Alfred Pendlebury
The arrival of Alfred Pendlebury, an imaginative artist residing in Holland's boarding house, marks a turning point for Holland. Pendlebury owns a foundry that creates unique gifts, drawing Holland's attention to a potential scheme that could change their fates.
Conception of the Heist
Henry shares his thrilling idea for a heist with Pendlebury, who is eager to support him. Their partnership solidifies as they plot to steal gold bullion, combining their talents to execute the plan.
Recruiting the Criminals
Facing a departmental transfer, Hollan and Pendlebury decide to enlist the help of petty criminals, Lackery Wood and Shorty Fisher. Together, they prepare for their daring heist, determined to escape the confines of their ordinary lives.
The Heist Begins
On the day of the heist, Wood and Fisher hijack the gold bullion van, swapping its valuable load with items from Pendlebury's work van. Holland plays the part of an innocent bystander, swiftly alerting authorities to the crime.
Shipping the Melted Gold
After successfully executing the heist, Wood and Fisher ship the melted gold, now recast into Eiffel Tower paperweights. Holland cleverly crafts a web of misinformation to distract Inspector Farrow from discovering their crime.
Realization of a New Challenge
The group quickly realizes they must reclaim the gold shipped to Paris. Their adventure leads them to the Eiffel Tower, where they discover that several of their paperweights have fallen into the hands of a group of English schoolgirls.
The Chase for the Paperweights
In a comical turn of events, Holland and Pendlebury chase after the mischievous schoolgirls to recover their stolen loot. The frantic pursuit reveals both the absurdity and challenges of their newfound criminal lifestyle.
Retrieve the Last Paperweight
Holland and Pendlebury manage to recover five of the six stolen paperweights, but the last one poses a challenge. They learn it has been gifted to a policeman at an exhibition at Hendon Police College, intensifying their quest.
Escaping the Inspector
As Inspector Farrow closes in on their operation, Holland and Pendlebury flee in a stolen police vehicle. Their flight leads to a wild chase through London, filled with tension and frantic decisions.
Misleading the Pursuers
During their escape, Holland uses a police radio to send out false information, attempting to mislead their pursuers. However, the situation complicates when they inadvertently give a ride to a police officer.
Capture of Pendlebury
Despite their best efforts, Pendlebury is captured during the chaos of their escape. Holland, however, narrowly escapes with the remaining six golden paperweights, securing his financial future but at a cost.
Return to Rio de Janeiro
Back in Rio, Holland is left to recount his thrilling adventures to a curious visitor. However, as their conversation unfolds, it becomes clear that the stolen money has mysteriously disappeared.
The Final Twist
As they part ways, the visitor's keen interest hints at a deeper connection to Holland's story. Ultimately, it is revealed that Holland is handcuffed to his companion, a dismal sign of how his criminal escapades have ensnared him.
Characters
Meet the characters that bring The Lavender Hill Mob (1951) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.
Henry Holland (Alec Guinness)
Henry Holland is the main character who transitions from a dull bank clerk to a cunning mastermind of a heist. His longing for excitement drives him to devise a criminal plan with his partner, showcasing wit and ingenuity. Despite his cleverness, he remains naive about the true consequences of his actions.
Alfred Pendlebury (Alfie Bass)
Alfred Pendlebury is an imaginative artist whose foundry becomes the setting for the illicit plot crafted by him and **Holland**. He is enthusiastic and creative, serving as the perfect partner in crime, yet his character also reflects moments of doubt and hesitation regarding their devious plans.
Lackery Wood
Lackery Wood is one of the petty criminals recruited to assist in the heist. He exhibits a mix of bravado and cowardice, often concerned about the risks involved. His character adds a layer of comedy and unpredictability to the plot, emphasizing the theme of crime and its consequences.
Shorty Fisher
Shorty Fisher complements **Wood** in their criminal endeavors. He is bold and resourceful but shares the doubts about the heist's success. His character adds further tension as the heist unfolds, showcasing the unpredictability of such escapades.
Inspector Farrow
Inspector Farrow is the determined law enforcement officer investigating the heist. He represents the forces of justice and is portrayed as persistent, often closing in on the main characters. His relentless pursuit creates suspense and highlights the characters' moral dilemmas.
Setting
Uncover the settings of The Lavender Hill Mob (1951), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.
Time period
The events of the movie unfold in a contemporary setting, primarily during the mid-20th century. It captures the feel of post-war Europe, characterized by a blend of optimism and uncertainty. Technology and attitudes of the time influence the characters' audacious endeavors.
Location
Rio de Janeiro, London, Paris, Eiffel Tower, Hendon Police College
The movie takes you across several vibrant locations. **Rio de Janeiro** serves as the framing backdrop, highlighting its lively culture. **London** sets the stage for the mundane life of a bank clerk, while **Paris** and the iconic **Eiffel Tower** are central to the thrilling heist, representing both aspiration and deception. **Hendon Police College** is the site of crucial events leading to the characters' eventual downfall.
Themes
Explore the core themes of The Lavender Hill Mob (1951). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.
🎭
Deception
Deception is a core theme in the movie as characters indulge in a web of lies and misdirection. **Holland** and **Pendlebury** utilize their cleverness to manipulate situations to their favor, creating tension and intrigue throughout the heist. The theme explores the consequences of deceit and how it can lead to unexpected outcomes.
💰
Greed
Greed drives the characters to embark on a risky heist, as they are lured by the promise of wealth. Their desire to break free from mundane lives pushes them into a world of crime, showcasing how the quest for material gain can lead to one's downfall. As they scramble to retrieve the stolen gold, the destructive nature of greed becomes evident.
🤝
Friendship
The partnership between **Holland** and **Pendlebury** illuminates the theme of friendship throughout their adventurous escapade. Their camaraderie is tested through various challenges, showcasing both loyalty and betrayal. Ultimately, their bond is central to the narrative's progression, underlining the complexities of human relationships.
Featured on this page
What's After the Movie?
Not sure whether to stay after the credits? Find out!
Check out our other apps:
Actors
Companies
Latest Movies
© 2024 What's After the Movie?. All rights reserved.