ROBBERY (1967, UK, 110m, PG) ***½
Crime, Drama, Mystery
dist. Paramount British Pictures (UK), Embassy Pictures (USA); pr co. Oakhurst Productions; d. Peter Yates; w. Edward Boyd, Peter Yates, George Markstein (based on a treatment by Gerald Wilson); pr. Stanley Baker, Michael Deeley; ph. Douglas Slocombe (Eastmancolor | 1.66:1); m. Johnny Keating; ed. Reginald Beck; ad. Michael Seymour.
cast: Stanley Baker (Paul Clifton), Joanna Pettet (Kate Clifton), James Booth (Inspector George Langdon), Frank Finlay (Robinson), Barry Foster (Frank), William Marlowe (Dave Aitken), Clinton Greyn (Jack), George Sewell (Ben), Glynn Edwards (Squad Chief), Michael McStay (Don), Martin Wyldeck (Chief constable), Rachel Herbert (School teacher), Patrick Jordan (Freddy), Barry Stanton (Car Lot owner), Kenneth Farrington (Seventh Robber), Robert Russell (Detective), Ivor Dean (Postal Worker on Train (uncredited)), Julie Ege (Hostess (uncredited)), Robert Powell (Deltic Train Guard (uncredited)), Mike Pratt (Bob (uncredited)).
This meticulous caper thriller based on the infamous “Great Train Robbery,” follows Paul Clifton (Baker) as he forms a team to carry out an ambitious heist of cash from a government mail train traveling from Scotland to London. Clifton feels it necessary to add incarcerated money expert Robinson (Finlay) to the group, so he organizes a jailbreak to free him as well. Although the theft succeeds, the criminals are still hounded by Scotland Yard detective Langdon (Booth). Yates directs with an eye for detail, letting the images and occasional dialogue tell the story. The opening diamond caper and subsequent car chase are exciting and would lead Yates to BULLITT a year later. Baker gives a reliably effective performance and is well supported by Booth and Finlay.
