This 1979 thriller from director Bruce Beresford about the hold up of an armoured van business is a little gem: although it flopped at the time, probably because local audiences got enough Aussie crime on TV where most of the cast for this came, this is a fast-moving, crackerjack heist film. There are some flaws (over the top acting, flares, a slightly unsatisfactory resolution) but the pace never flags and the climax is terrific.
It looks even better now – the pace, the actors, the period detail. Things we used to take for granted, like Bud Tingwell and Ed Devereaux, are now minor treasures. There are some very strong performances, especially by Terence Donovan and Devereaux. Tony Bonner is a weakness and Candy Raymond’s part is undeveloped (though she does find time to go topless). Others in the cast include Lucky Grills (as a security officer) with later Media Watch host Stuart Littlemore (with hair) as himself.
On the DVD special features, Beresford says he doesn’t remember the film with great fondness, which is a shame because its among the best things he ever did.
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