Consistently through the years, in spite of its efforts to improve its image, the British cinema has been dogged by inept, wooden thrillers that make you laugh (and inwardly cringe). Since the early Fifties, fading film presences have been tempted to appear in these. The lineup here includes Norman Wisdom as a safecracker, Bernard Hill imitating Peter Sellers as an Irish gangster, Simon Ward (trying to be nasty) and, of course, the visiting American 'star', in this case William Katt, who in maturity looks like Sterling Hayden. Deeply unpleasant in theme, the film tries to earn its adult certificate with a short scene of torture, but comes nowhere near. What hurts it more are its smug characterisations, the slaps in the face that are no more than pats, the unconvincing gunplay and actors who lurch through their roles like performers on stage at your local church play. Best line: 'Michael, I understand about the photocopying but - why do you want a piece of raw steak and a Bible? Laughable.

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