Moviecut—Strongroom

source: Strongroom

Strongroom

Seriously underrated little noir and, in some ways, a repeat of the 1960 movie "The Man In The Back Seat" which also starred Nesbitt and Faulkner as two crooks for whom fate deals a dirty hand. Both movies are excellent (and both directed by the equally underrated Sewell) and both have very neat twists in the tail. These two linked movies are unusual in that, given the era they were made in, the viewer is NOT subjected to "happy endings". As "Strongroom" was made in 1962, it might make for an interesting legal discussion as to whether either or both of the miscreants would hang or not......once again, Faulkner plays the conscience to Nesbitt's more hard-headed felon. I doubt whether that would count for too much with a contemporary criminal court jury, however. Faulkner is a fine foil to Nesbitt - they make a fine team in both movies...not sure why he gave up films. If anyone does, let me know...

If there is a better b thriller I cant think of it.Expertly directed by veteran Vernon Sewell,he turns the screws constantly.What starts out as a routine bank robbery becomes a race against time thriller.

Derren Nesbitt gets a rare opportunity to demonstrate he can command our sympathy in this unbearably tense, extremely well-acted thriller with interesting characters you care about and a devastating final punchline.

Well, what a pleasant surprise this turned out to be - a nifty, suspensful bank robbery/thriller that has the audience switching sides as the action unfolds. Derren Nesbitt unusually plays a character that shows a spark of humanity as he insists on going back to the scene of the robbery to prevent the two staff suffocating in the vault. However, I think the actor who plays 'Mr Snape' walks away with the trophy, even though he appears in only a handful of scenes. His acting is very natural and casual and he delivers his lines without grabbing the stage. A really good, tight and entertaining effort from all involved.

That's the perfect example of what the UK crime movie industry, especially independent, could provide to the audiences, in the late fifties and early sixties. That scheme is ahead of its time, that's the kind of topic that you could find now, since a decade now. I have seen such stories from Spain or UK; sorry I don't remind the titles, but this stuff sounds familiar to me. No length here, no boredom, very tense, sharp as a knife. I don't think it was released in France. Do not miss it. At any cost. But it's definitely more a thriller than a crime drama. Not character's study, no violence nor rogue cops or gang war. See what I mean? I was very amused by the scene where a policeman - watching the two hoods using their cutting torch to crack the vault armored door with the two people behind - offering his lighter to switch the torch on.... Not that usual, admit it.

I had never heard of Vernon Sewell until I found this masterpiece on YouTube in June 2018. I discovered a great director and I want to see all his films, he has 41 credits as a director. This movie is excellent in all respects: story, direction, actors, the way it was filmed. The actors are not big names but they are all very good. Derren Nesbitt is still distinguished as Griff.

This is not a good film to watch if you suffer from claustrophobia. It's a little gem produced in the early sixties and usually tucked away in the early hours of the morning. There were many of these B movies produced in the 50s and 60s and most are quickly forgotten. However this one stands out. Derren Nesbitt makes for a convincing baddie bringing his particular brand of menace to the role. Colin Gordon plays it with a very stiff upper lip and Ann Lynn provides the glamour. Despite being just over an hour long it packs a useful punch and sustains the tension through to the end. Watch it with the door open and a glass of cold water to hand.