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Product Description
First ever DVD release of this classic crime film which Bernard Lee, Rita Tushingham, Michael Sarne and Doris Hare. Ricky Flint (Mike Sarne) finds his world stifling. The East End that he grew up in is being demolished to make way for high rise blocks of flats and there seems just one possible means of escape: a one-off crime of robbing a cigarette factory. He becomes involved in a gang to carry out the robbery and then meets the forthright Cat (Rita Tushingham) when their tempestuous liaison takes a violent course
Product Description
United Kingdom released, PAL/Region 0 DVD: LANGUAGES: English ( Mono ), SPECIAL FEATURES: Black & White, Booklet, Interactive Menu, Scene Access, Trailer(s), SYNOPSIS: Amidst the pub sing-songs and bombsites and with slums giving way to high-rise flats, life in Bethnal Green is changing for the Flints. Dad may decide to quit the docks and their daughter wants a new home with her husband and expected baby. Son Ricky is dissatisfied with his lot and equally eager to get away. Involved with a planned robbery of the cigarette factory where he works, his life becomes even more complicated when he gets involved with quirky Catherine. ...A Place To Go
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24 of 24 people found the following review helpful
By fegMANIA!
VINE™ VOICE
Format:DVD
Here's a film that is almost certainly a lot more interesting now than at the time it was made. As a crime story it's fairly engaging if unremarkable and as the last of Dearden & Relph's 'Social Problem' films it feels somewhat belated, but for 21st Century viewers it is lifted by three notable factors.
Most of the cast give more restrained and enjoyable performances than might be expected, particularly Mike Sarne and Rita Tushingham as the leads and John Slater as a depressingly weary small-time crook.
The extensive location filming shows the reality of a London that was already vanishing then and is now either forgotten altogether or unpalatably romanticised, and it adds a great deal to the surprising degree of authenticity and atmosphere present throughout.
The third enlivening factor is the sense of the bizarre that often permeates the story. This is not the studied kookiness of the 'Swinging London' films that would follow very shortly; it is strangeness presented almost dispassionately as an everyday occurence - Christmas decorations and hats bursting into flames, sequences of cats and caged canaries, or one character's unexpected yearning for a career in escapology. This oddness even informs the climactic pub brawl (again, all the better for being filmed on location) when almost bawdy bits of comic business temper a well-realised display of violence that might otherwise be thought too realistic.
It's not hard to see why the film was poorly-received on its release in 1964 but in 2009 it provides a fascinating look back at those times. [Sound and picture quality on this DVD release are generally acceptable despite one or two moments of notable damage to both]
Most of the cast give more restrained and enjoyable performances than might be expected, particularly Mike Sarne and Rita Tushingham as the leads and John Slater as a depressingly weary small-time crook.
The extensive location filming shows the reality of a London that was already vanishing then and is now either forgotten altogether or unpalatably romanticised, and it adds a great deal to the surprising degree of authenticity and atmosphere present throughout.
The third enlivening factor is the sense of the bizarre that often permeates the story. This is not the studied kookiness of the 'Swinging London' films that would follow very shortly; it is strangeness presented almost dispassionately as an everyday occurence - Christmas decorations and hats bursting into flames, sequences of cats and caged canaries, or one character's unexpected yearning for a career in escapology. This oddness even informs the climactic pub brawl (again, all the better for being filmed on location) when almost bawdy bits of comic business temper a well-realised display of violence that might otherwise be thought too realistic.
It's not hard to see why the film was poorly-received on its release in 1964 but in 2009 it provides a fascinating look back at those times. [Sound and picture quality on this DVD release are generally acceptable despite one or two moments of notable damage to both]
21 of 21 people found the following review helpful
By Robert Dahl
Format:DVD
This minor gem, directed by the excellent Basil Dearden, is a look at working-class life in the East London suburb of Bethnal Green. Fine performances are turned in by Mike Sarne as Ricky, and especially Rita Tushingham as his mouthy girlfriend Catherine. Also on hand are veteran actors Bernard Lee and Doris Hare as Ricky's parents.
Ricky gets involved in a heist at a local cigarette factory, while at the same time trying to romance Tushingham's character. The plot is helped along by fine performances from some vintage character actors.
I particularly enjoyed the scenery. This film is something of a time capsule, capturing East London as it was, post-war but pre-concrete. In fact, one of the plot elements concerns the family's eviction from their 'slum' to make way for new concrete apartment towers.
Odeon Entertainment has done a splendid job remastering the video and audio. My only disappointment is that there are no subtitles or extras of any kind -- otherwise I would have given a 5-star rating.
Ricky gets involved in a heist at a local cigarette factory, while at the same time trying to romance Tushingham's character. The plot is helped along by fine performances from some vintage character actors.
I particularly enjoyed the scenery. This film is something of a time capsule, capturing East London as it was, post-war but pre-concrete. In fact, one of the plot elements concerns the family's eviction from their 'slum' to make way for new concrete apartment towers.
Odeon Entertainment has done a splendid job remastering the video and audio. My only disappointment is that there are no subtitles or extras of any kind -- otherwise I would have given a 5-star rating.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By FAMOUS NAME
VINE™ VOICE
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
A bit slow this one, and not one of Tushingham's best movies, but she was always pretty adept at light comedy and so still gives an entertaining performance as 'Cat' with some comical scenes with her Partner 'Ricky'. (Mike Sarne)
A notable film for Doris Hare ('On The Buses') as she gives an award-winning performance as 'Lil' with some touching and powerful scenes as her life changes dramatically.
Also stars Bernard Lee and Roy Kinnear.
This has not been re-mastered and therefore quality of sound in particular is lacking in parts.
A notable film for Doris Hare ('On The Buses') as she gives an award-winning performance as 'Lil' with some touching and powerful scenes as her life changes dramatically.
Also stars Bernard Lee and Roy Kinnear.
This has not been re-mastered and therefore quality of sound in particular is lacking in parts.
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