Superlative acting by Tom Bell and Judi Dench, and skilful treatment by director Charles Crichton made this film an unexpected winner. Bell plays an habitual criminal whose story springs to vivid life under Crichton's taut direction, aided by photography from John von Kotze that's a treat to watch, and astute editing by Jack Harris and John Smith that never lets our eyes drop from the screen. Sideline highlights include some charming reactions from orphanage children, with whom Bell really does seem at home, and a realistically-staged fight between Bell and Edina Ronay that rivals the no-claws-barred scrap from The Pumpkin Eater. The film's only weakness is an improbable twist near the end when the police get on to Bell's biggest robbery. Otherwise it's excellent, compact entertainment.


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