Stanley Baker made a slight return to form with this thriller. Released in 1967, "Robbery" signalled the kind of movies that the British film industry would produce for the next 5 years. The story is an unofficial portrayal of the real life train robbery from 1963 and is well presented. Stanley Baker is the mastermind behind the whole scheme but has the support of a few criminal firms combined.
The film makes a mistake with the opening scene. Yes, it is brilliantly done but it should have been saved for much later on. The part of the movie that depicts the robbery itself, is excellent.
The first 80 minutes is very good. The rest of the running time ends up going to waste. The reason I believe this, is because "Robbery" fails to show how the police deduce where the gang members are to be found. Also, it isn't revealed how the police identify the various criminals during their investigation. They simply materialise from nowhere to make their arrests. That is down to laziness by the writers. It is a pity. There is a sterling cast on hand. Apart from Stanley Baker, there is Barry Foster, Glyn Edwards, James Booth, Frank Finlay and a very young Robert Powell in an uncredited role.
A good film all the same.
Review of Robbery
