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From Amazon.co.uk
A cheerful, energetic, and completely entertaining movie, The Bank Job follows some small-time hoods who think they've lucked into a big-time opportunity when they learn a bank's security system will be temporarily suspended--little suspecting that they're being manipulated by government agents for their own ends. The result is that the movie doubles its pleasures: While the robbery itself has the usual suspense of a heist film, when the robbery is over the hoods find themselves being hunted by the police, the government, and brutal criminal kingpins who were storing dangerous information in a safety deposit box. The Bank Job won't win any awards, but it's enormously fun. Director Roger Donaldson (No Way Out, Species) propels the action along with vigour, zippy editing (with perfect clarity among multiple story-lines) and various colourful characters. Jason Statham (Snatch, The Transporter), as the leader of the bank robbers, successfully steps away from his usual bone-crunching roles to a more human presence. The rest of the cast--including Saffron Burrows (Deep Blue Sea), Keeley Hawes (Tipping the Velvet), David Suchet (Poirot), and many faces familiar from British film and television--give their characters the right degree of personality and flavour without getting fussy or detracting from the headlong rush of the story. A little sex, a lot of action, a sly sense of humour, and a twisty plot. If more movies had these basic pleasures, the world would be a happier place. --Bret Fetzer
Product Description
Thriller based on the true story of a 1971 London bank robbery that baffled the authorities and captivated the public. Jason Statham stars as Terry Leather, a former crooked car salesman who wants to put his shady past behind him and start a family. But when Terry's old neighbour, Martine Love (Saffron Burrows), proposes a foolproof plan to rob a Baker Street bank, Terry reluctantly agrees to come on board. As the operation gets underway, the resourceful group of thieves tunnel their way into a safe-deposit vault at the Lloyds Bank in Marylebone where they discover millions of pounds worth of cash and priceless gems. However, Terry and his crew don't realise the boxes also contain a treasure trove of dirty secrets that will thrust them into a deadly web of corruption and illicit scandal that spans London's criminal underworld, the British government, and even the Royal Family.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
46 of 47 people found the following review helpful
By Sally Wilton
VINE™ VOICE
Format:DVD
I really liked this film despite the poor reviews in the papers by some critics.
The film starts with 'Our hero' Terry (Second hand car lot owner) having his stock smashed up by some dodgy money lender monkeys. In desperation he goes along with his old school friend Ms Love's plan to rob a bank by the old 'dig a tunnel from the closed down shop opposite' method when the bank alarm system is down. All is far from what it seems to these likeable robbers and without spoiling the plot can say it involves Royalty, Dishonest Cops, Trinidadian Drug Barons and Porn kings as well as brothel owner Sonia - oh and some MPs and MI5!! It is all a true story and I thoroughly enjoyed it from begining to end. Lots of 70s period detail and the behind the scenes action by the Police that looks hilariously amateurish by todays standards- well I hope they have improved their detection skills since then. If you are old enough to remember the 1970's and a series called Budgie with Adam Faith you will love this.
The film starts with 'Our hero' Terry (Second hand car lot owner) having his stock smashed up by some dodgy money lender monkeys. In desperation he goes along with his old school friend Ms Love's plan to rob a bank by the old 'dig a tunnel from the closed down shop opposite' method when the bank alarm system is down. All is far from what it seems to these likeable robbers and without spoiling the plot can say it involves Royalty, Dishonest Cops, Trinidadian Drug Barons and Porn kings as well as brothel owner Sonia - oh and some MPs and MI5!! It is all a true story and I thoroughly enjoyed it from begining to end. Lots of 70s period detail and the behind the scenes action by the Police that looks hilariously amateurish by todays standards- well I hope they have improved their detection skills since then. If you are old enough to remember the 1970's and a series called Budgie with Adam Faith you will love this.
30 of 31 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray
Allegedly based on true events (the final credits mention the names have been changed to protect the guilty), The Bank Job is partly a homage to the traditional British robbery film and partly a tale of political and society intrigue. The main premise of the story is that a Black Power activist Michael X managed to obtain photographs of a prominent British royal (possibly Princess Margaret) enjoying a decidedly unregal menage-a-trois while on holiday in the Caribbean. On returning to England, Michael X uses the pictures to blackmail the authorities into turning a blind eye to his criminal activities.
The British Secret Service (MI5 or MI6) learns the location of the photographs in a Bank safety deposit box. Thus they set in motion the chain of events which convinces Terry (Jason Statham) and his cronies to tunnel into the safe and empty the deposit boxes thus retrieving the photographs to 1. Protect the Royal and, 2. Remove Michael X's "Get Out of Jail Free" card. Up until this point the film is an enjoyable, if somewhat risque, crime caper. However things take a darker turn when inevitably this is not the only secret held in the security vault, including some compromising photographs of Secret Service officials and a crime boss's ledger of payments to corrupt police officers. This leads to a classic four way stand-off between the various parties before the final denoument.
In general terms The Bank Job is an enjoyable and entertaining heist movie. The Blu-Ray picture and sound transfer are superb. There are a couple of downers - Jason Statham needs to start working on an act other than the grizzled Cockney "wide-boy", he is really, really, in danger of being permanently typecast.... Read more ›
The British Secret Service (MI5 or MI6) learns the location of the photographs in a Bank safety deposit box. Thus they set in motion the chain of events which convinces Terry (Jason Statham) and his cronies to tunnel into the safe and empty the deposit boxes thus retrieving the photographs to 1. Protect the Royal and, 2. Remove Michael X's "Get Out of Jail Free" card. Up until this point the film is an enjoyable, if somewhat risque, crime caper. However things take a darker turn when inevitably this is not the only secret held in the security vault, including some compromising photographs of Secret Service officials and a crime boss's ledger of payments to corrupt police officers. This leads to a classic four way stand-off between the various parties before the final denoument.
In general terms The Bank Job is an enjoyable and entertaining heist movie. The Blu-Ray picture and sound transfer are superb. There are a couple of downers - Jason Statham needs to start working on an act other than the grizzled Cockney "wide-boy", he is really, really, in danger of being permanently typecast.... Read more ›
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This was one of the most enjoyable films I have seen in a long time. I loved that it was British and not the usual kind of film that we get. Seeing so many familar faces was great too. It reminded me very much of Snatch and that is my favourite film ever! We need more like this in my opinion.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By xxx
Format:DVD
The story has been outlined here several times so I go straight on to my opinion...
I watched this film last night and must say I haven't been that entertained like this in a long time. There are tense moments, it's funny, in one part a little gruesome (whatever your imagination is) and you will not know how it ends until it ends. The actors are great, the dialogue is intelligent and brilliantly British. The film left nothing to wish for - I had sweaty hands.
Definitely 5 stars from me and I just bought the DVD for my picky dad's birthday. I know he'll love it, too.
I watched this film last night and must say I haven't been that entertained like this in a long time. There are tense moments, it's funny, in one part a little gruesome (whatever your imagination is) and you will not know how it ends until it ends. The actors are great, the dialogue is intelligent and brilliantly British. The film left nothing to wish for - I had sweaty hands.
Definitely 5 stars from me and I just bought the DVD for my picky dad's birthday. I know he'll love it, too.
24 of 26 people found the following review helpful
By Mr C
Format:DVD
What can you say other than a very enjoyable film portraying London small time criminals doing the 'Big One'.
Certainly had me entertained for the full 107 minutes. Great casting fantastic story, great props. Historical, entertaining and 70s BRITISH!. Definitely one to have in your collection for sure. Buy it, rent it, steal it, whatever it you definitely must 'ave it!
Certainly had me entertained for the full 107 minutes. Great casting fantastic story, great props. Historical, entertaining and 70s BRITISH!. Definitely one to have in your collection for sure. Buy it, rent it, steal it, whatever it you definitely must 'ave it!
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By chuckles
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Blu-ray
This movie is well written, action packed with a bit of light hearted comedy to keep it from getting too heavy. This movie carries on with the tradition of Lock Stock, and a welcome return after the last few attempts. A couple of dodgy accents, but that's a very small issue. The film is in 2 parts, the first the robbery then as soon as that's done, then the action really kicks in. This film was digitally shot, and that makes it excellent on HD with superb picture and sound.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Nick D.
Format:DVD
This film is living proof that you simply cannot trust 99% of the film critics out there. Better still, this is British film making doing what it does best and delivering an A+ performance. I cannot recommend this film more highly.
It is very well written, acted, directed, art directed and edited.
Jason Statham puts a neat performance as the lead. Saffron Burrows is both decorative and intelligent in a way good female leads used to be and Bond girls ought to be. David Suchet is always worth the price of admission. The rest of the cast delivers nicely judged roles that make this movie highly evocative of the 70s. The cars are great!
As soon as I saw Ian Le Frenais was partly responsible for the script I knew we were in good hands. (If you don't know who Ian Le Frenais is, check out his other stuff and you'll see that my words do not exaggerate his talent.) What we get is a great story with plenty of interesting sub-plots all neatly interwoven and brought to a perfect dramatic conclusion. Having just seen 'No Country for Old Men' and been bitterly disappointed with a film that totally fails to match the Oscar hype that surrounded it, it was nice to see a film without any expectations and to be royally entertained. I've never heard of the director Roger Donaldson, but rest assured we'll be hearing more from him.
The plot of this movie is based on a true story, which makes it more than just another heist movie. I wonder if the Royal involved was Princess Margaret? So a massive thumbs for this hidden gem. Hollywood: take note. Taditional formulas when done properly can still be incredibly effective.
Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It is very well written, acted, directed, art directed and edited.
Jason Statham puts a neat performance as the lead. Saffron Burrows is both decorative and intelligent in a way good female leads used to be and Bond girls ought to be. David Suchet is always worth the price of admission. The rest of the cast delivers nicely judged roles that make this movie highly evocative of the 70s. The cars are great!
As soon as I saw Ian Le Frenais was partly responsible for the script I knew we were in good hands. (If you don't know who Ian Le Frenais is, check out his other stuff and you'll see that my words do not exaggerate his talent.) What we get is a great story with plenty of interesting sub-plots all neatly interwoven and brought to a perfect dramatic conclusion. Having just seen 'No Country for Old Men' and been bitterly disappointed with a film that totally fails to match the Oscar hype that surrounded it, it was nice to see a film without any expectations and to be royally entertained. I've never heard of the director Roger Donaldson, but rest assured we'll be hearing more from him.
The plot of this movie is based on a true story, which makes it more than just another heist movie. I wonder if the Royal involved was Princess Margaret? So a massive thumbs for this hidden gem. Hollywood: take note. Taditional formulas when done properly can still be incredibly effective.
Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Why
I am writing this review because I have to in order to get my star rating across. This is a waste of time and I will do no further reviews which is extremely unfair to your... Read more
Published 5 days ago by Victoria Walker
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant British film
I didn't know the story so was unprepared for how it would end. But that was probably a good thing, because I came to it with no preconceptions. Read more
Published 8 days ago by M. D. Souter
4.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting
This film is a great story, based on true events it is truely amazing.Jason Stratham is brilliant as he always is.
Published 10 days ago by Mrs D A Haydon
5.0 out of 5 stars
time
I saw part of the film on tv and wanted to see the whole story. I am still waiting for a free evening to give it my full attention.
Published 14 days ago by Mr J L Stenton
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Bank Job
Great film based on real life story. If you want to know more about what really went on to protect Princess Margarets reputation then watch this!
Published 1 month ago by Bathgirl
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bank Job / Jason Statham
Good film if your into British crime films and based on a true story :) and very good price dvd
Published 1 month ago by Mr. Robert Morrison
5.0 out of 5 stars
An enjoyable film - an old fashioned story line brought up to date
Hard edged but lovable rogue up against the state and organised crime. I'm off to buy a thermal lance right now.
Published 1 month ago by Keith Lambell
5.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome...
Love love loved this film - I am a big Stath fan (but do appreciate his fighting films are not always greatly acted ! Read more
Published 2 months ago by Katie
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent
This a must for any Jason Statham fan! A brilliant movie based on a true story which I vaguely remember but did not understand. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Mr. S. Donnelly
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent
Great service wicked film. Anything with Jason Statham in it has to be good. Enjoyed watching this as it was also a true story.
Published 3 months ago by Colin Gilham
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