Review of Bellman and True (1987) by Behrouz S — 31 Jul 2011
Originally shot for television and remade by the same director as the Inferior Firewall this lost 1987 gangster gem is I feel the missing link between the Long Good Friday and the second wave of Gangster movies which hit with Lock Stock.
The film stands on its great central performance from Bernard Hill as the washed up computer expert called upon by a ruthless group of gangsters to carry out a heist on an Airport bank.
While doing this we see the realtionship between Hill and his son plLayed by Kirean O Brian which is deftly handled by the director.
The film works because the director never goes over the top with his directing style and the performances from all the actors are all very good indeed.
Most notable in this respect are Richard Hope as Sato a gangster who calls evryone "dear heart" and Derek Newark as the Guvnor simple known as Guvnor.
Its easy to see that Euston Films who gave us the Sweeney and Minder manage to stamp thier trademarks on this film but that doesnt detract from the final heist and ending which give the film an edge and make it ripe for rediscovery.
Cracking stuff.
This review of Bellman and True (1987) was written by Behrouz S on 31 Jul 2011.
Bellman and True has generally received very positive reviews.
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