You are here:

Hell Is a City

Name: Hell Is a City
Director: Val Guest
Released: 1960
Duration: 98 min

Representation Score

1.2/10

Minimal

1960

Director

Val Guest

Runtime

98 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Hell Is a City is a traditional mid-century crime thriller that emphasizes genre clichés over diverse representation. It focuses on a narrow, male-centric perspective of urban conflict, reinforcing established social hierarchies. The narrative centers on the clash between law enforcement and organized crime, offering limited visibility for underrepresented groups.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does Hell Is a City have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film operates within an exclusively straight-focused framework. There is no visibility for non-traditional gender identities or same-sex relationships.

How does Hell Is a City portray gender?

Limited

The narrative is dominated by male characters. Female characters play minor, supporting roles that do not significantly influence the plot.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Hell Is a City?

Limited

The cast is primarily white, reflecting the homogeneous demographics of its time. The film lacks diverse ethnic representation and explores identity through a single lens.

How does Hell Is a City represent religion and culture?

Limited

The story upholds Western legal order and social norms. It portrays crime through consequences without challenging institutional structures.

Does Hell Is a City include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no representation of visible or invisible disabilities. Characters are depicted as having standard physical and mental capabilities.

Present on Screen

The film provides a gritty, high-tension portrayal of Manchester's industrial north.

Limited or Absent

The film lacks representation for LGBTQ+ individuals and diverse ethnic groups.
Female characters are sidelined in favor of a male-dominated narrative.
There is no inclusion of characters with physical or mental disabilities.

Official Synopsis

Set in Manchester, heartland of England's industrial north, Don Starling escapes from jail becoming England's most wanted man. Ruthless villain Starling together with his cronies engineered a robbery that resulted in the violent death of a young girl. Detective Inspector Martineau has been assigned to hunt him down and bring him in. From seedy barrooms, through gambling dens the trail leads to an explosive climax high on the rooftops of the city.

How are these scores produced? →