The Black and Blue Lamp
1988, English. Directed by Guy Slater.
Satirical and surreal play by Arthur Ellis, dealing with the manner in which the British police force has been represented on TV for four decades. In 1949 Tom Riley is arrested for the murder of PC George Dixon. As he awaits interrogation at the station he is mysteriously transported into an episode of The Filth - a 1988 police series where the hard men rule, where he is told by the local CID that he'll be confessing to the murder or else his genitals are getting cut off ! This black comedy questions whether the police have changed or is it the way film and television present them.
- Runtime
- 0h 59m
- Post-credits
- None listed
- Language
- English
- Rated
- Check local
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Where to watch The Black and Blue Lamp
The Black and Blue Lamp isn’t streaming on any OTT platform in India yet; it released on 7 September 1988.
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Cast & crew
- Guy SlaterDirector
- Kenneth CranhamSupt. Cherry
- Karl JohnsonPC "Taffy" Hughes
- Sean ChapmanTom Riley
- John WoodvineSupt. Hammond
- Ralph BrownInsp. Drury
- Nick StringerSgt. Brooks
- Ian BrimblePC Totley
- Peter LovstromPC Sneed
- Barry WoolgarInsp. Rogers
- Garrick HagonPolice Surgeon
- Anthony SmeeMr Bromley Junior
- Paddy RyanMr Bromley Senior
Details
- Released
- 7 September 1988
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Written by
- Arthur Ellis
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News & fan talk
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The Black and Blue Lamp: quick answers
Is The Black and Blue Lamp worth watching?
The Black and Blue Lamp doesn’t have enough ratings for a verdict yet.
How long is The Black and Blue Lamp?
The Black and Blue Lamp runs 59 minutes (0h 59m).
Does The Black and Blue Lamp have a post-credits scene?
None is listed for The Black and Blue Lamp. Viewers tag these on TMDB, so a brand-new film may not be tagged yet.
The Black and Blue Lamp parents guide: is it suitable for kids?
No age rating is listed for The Black and Blue Lamp yet.
Which OTT platform is The Black and Blue Lamp on?
The Black and Blue Lamp isn’t streaming on any OTT platform in India yet; it released on 7 September 1988. (Checked 12 November 2026.)
What movies are like The Black and Blue Lamp?
If you liked The Black and Blue Lamp, try Barbarians at the Gate, Rebound: The Legend of Earl 'The Goat' Manigault, Girl in the Box.
Who directed The Black and Blue Lamp?
The Black and Blue Lamp (1988) was directed by Guy Slater and stars Kenneth Cranham, Karl Johnson, Sean Chapman.