The Hostages

Four prisoners escape over what looks like quite an unconvincing prison wall. Two get away in an old Ford Escort van. Leaving convicts Joe Blake and Terry Sladden to escape on foot. Blake has suffered a nasty leg injury which slows the pair down considerably. They come across a farm and when they see the farmer, his eldest daughter and his wife head off to market they break into the farmhouse and take the three children there hostage, hence the title. The kids fight back by playing tricks and mind games on their captors. I watched this Children's Film Foundation short movie on the excellent Talking Pictures TV, at an hour in length I found it to be a very enjoyable watch. Robin Askwith plays Sladden. I have been watching the "Confessions" movies recently where he strips off every 15 minutes or so, I have also watched him in several British horror movies. Naturally he keeps his clothes on here though he does play a nasty character for a change and he gets physically rough with the kids. In fact I would go as far as to say that very young children may find a few scenes upsetting, it really is quite gritty at times. No spoilers but the film ends with a tense car chase with the police in pursuit of a stolen Land Rover, this was impressively shot.