Atraco a la inglesa

As the remains of Michael Winner's already tarnished reputation as a film maker stagger bloodied and battered from the wreckage of his latest debacle "Parting Shots", it is difficult to believe that he was once a genuinely promising director. A director who in the sixties had proved his worth largely with hip and swinging comedies such as "The Jokers". In this picture we follow the exploits of two well off brothers, with far too much time on their hands,as they set out to steal the crown jewels, not for financial gain or any political reason but just for the sheer hell of it. The script is razor sharp, Winner's direction is crisp, and the perfectly cast Oliver Reed and Michael Crawford both shine as the two scheming siblings. The fact that the establishment figures are not stereotypically portrayed as buffoons but as highly competent officials makes it more of a delight to see the brothers run such rings round them. With a couple of brilliant twists along the way the only let down is seeing the film run out of steam towards the very end. Its a shame Dick Clements and Ian La Frenais, who penned this film, could have not come up with a climax as inventive as what had come before in this remarkable movie.

Oliver Reed stars in this heist of the Crown Jewels. A "Class" Act of the brothers' Tremayne! This is a thrilling worthwhile film that shakes you up, but leaves you begging for more. A movie that tells what it was like to be in London in the 1960s, the suspense builds till the mystery overwhelms the senses and you wish that the film will never end. Some of the scenes near the end of this film are so haunting and surreal that they leave an indelible memory imprint.

I highly recommend this film as the intensity of Oliver Reed will have you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. Not too many films capture the imagination, but this one grabs you immediately and never lets go until it is time to hit the exits.

Go see it and Enjoy! Big time entertainment!

Like another of the commenters, I saw this film on the late night telly. I loved it all the way, and as an American, managed to appreciate some of the British humor. One joke, in particular, that made me laugh up a storm was when some guy tries to explain the bomb plantings by blaming it on "the Mafia." Michael Crawford sniggers, "Surbiton branch?" I recommend this film to anyone who wants to be entertained by one of the first films in what would become the best years of British comedy.

OK, so maybe Michael Winner got a bit carried away with the poster claiming this as exciting as "Topkapi" (1964) but it is still quite an entertaining crime caper to watch. Michael Crawford is "Michael", dragooned from his army regiment - it turns out he has rather a habit of being kicked out of things. He unites with his successful, raffish, brother "David" (Oliver Reed) and the pair decide on some sort of spectacular revenge. What to do, though? Well a visit to the Tower of London soon settles that. Crawford sets up a false identity as an Irish bomber and they gradually create a pretty effective degree of panic amongst the establishment as they cannibalise coffee pots and the like into makeshift explosive devices... When their real crime comes along, the crowing glory of their plan is accomplished. They had planned to return their ill-gotten loot, but at this point the brothers deviate from their plan - "Michael" neglects to follow through with certain aspects of their deal leaving poor old "David" high and dry, and in the clink! An efficient supporting cast - Harry Andrews, Sir Michael Hordern, Daniel Massey and James Donald along with a fast moving, quite humorous, script from writers Ian La Frenais and Dick Clement (who went on to write the classic BBC sitcom "Porridge" in 1974) makes this a better effort than I expected it to be. Reed and Crawford work well together, and it's just good fun.

This is one of the best crime caper movies of all time, but does anybody outside of the U.K. remember it? Another great but overlooked movie. I saw this when I was a kid and then again about 10 years ago on one of the T.V. movie channels. I taped it and if I could I'd copy it to DVD and distribute it freely. It's also one of the best comedies, not to mention a whodunit and a fab portrayal of swinging London circa 1967. Plot twists, betrayal, witty dialog and great characters. Michael Crawford is a genuine talent who appeared in two of my favorite movies: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and Hello Dolly! He resurfaces back in the 80s as the Phantom of the Opera. Oliver Reed, is also one of the best. Together, they create the perfect sibling rivalry. Oh, the music is good too.

They don't make movies like this anymore, do they?