The Bank Job Movie Review
Posted by Kushal | Filed under Uncategorized
"I‘ve just got one question. What are we going to do with all the dirt we dig out?"
"That’s all planned for. We’re going to dig another hole over there and bury it."
There is a story that boggles the mind. In 1971 there was a bank robbery. For real – not just in the film. Allegedly (don’t you love that word), during the night of Sunday September 12th a bunch of opportunists tunneled their way into the vault of Lloyds Bank, Baker Street and made off with around £4m. That’s m for million. I thought the Great Train Robbery (1963) was the biggest robbery in British History until the Securitas Job in 06. Apparently not – This one is nearly double the Great Train Robbery amount.
Thing is, most of us haven’t heard about this one because 3 days later, the Government Issued a D-Notice that effectively stopped all media coverage of the event and has done so since. The story sounds almost like an urban legend. Apparently there was something stolen in those safety deposit boxes that was a matter of national security. So important was the contents of the box that known criminal Michael X (Yes, you read correctly. Only real life can be so corny) was able to use it to prevent is own conviction and virtually hold the British legal system to ransom! The story continues that a file on Michael X is classified in the National Archive until 2054 (!). What could be so important? I search the national archive on the net and found on a basic record here. Interestingly, a search for "Great Train Robbery" produces over 300 results – and it happened nearly 10 years earlier.
Despite the suspense and secrecy around the story, the film jumps out of the screen like a mash-up of some black comedy, some Carry-On and a just a pleasant-enough dash of Lock Stock. Written by TV writers Clement and La Frenais (Porridge, Lovejoy, The Likely Lads), this is an obtuse and provoking departure compare to their light-hearted projects of the past. Jason owns the screen as Terry, a down-on-his luck used car dealer that is offered the opportunity of a (criminal) lifetime. Director Roger Donaldson (Cocktail, The Recruit, Thirteen Days) holds his ground well, balancing what is really a very twisted and dark story with rich and bubbling characters that weave together, creating enough depth to really satisfy the question at hand; namely, what the hell happened and why is it still an official secret. If you get a chance to watch this anywhere, anytime, grab it and enjoy.
8/10
Tags: English Movies
...