This is one of the best crime capers that you'll ever see, and it is based on a real-life event about several resourceful robbers who looted a British Royal Mail train in August 1963. Peter Yates never lets the suspense and the tension to lapse in this crackling good thriller. Steve McQueen took one look at this vintage thriller and knew that he had to have Yates at the helm of his classic cop saga "Bullitt." You won't find a better real-life hold-up movie. Of course, the filmmakers have taken certain liberties despite the fact that a train was robbed. Stanley Baker plays Paul Clifton, the man who masterminded the complex robbery. "Robbery" differs in many respects from the actual caper. The gang base their operations in a deactivated RAF airbase, and the robbers tip their hand during the robbery when they warn the passengers to wait a half-hour before they sound the alarm. Furthermore, one of their own winds up blowing the whole effort when he tries to contact his wife. This clueless bloke is a prisoner who has only recently escaped from prison (it's a wonderful little vignette) and he rings up Scotland Yard and they track down his number. Meantime, Yates covers the meticulous planning that went into the actual robbery. The opening gambit automobile chase through crowded London streets in broad daylight is riveting stuff! You won't forget this timeless thriller.
