I became used to seeing David McCallum as a sensitive young man in his early films but he's very effective here as a glowering juvenile delinquent - moody, handsome, just wanting a cuddle. This probably would have been better regarded amongst teenagers had he been more of a protagonist - but unlike James Dean, Elvis or Tony Curtis movies, the real hero is a middle aged man: cop Stanley Baker.
Baker is a terribly decent copper who cares about the kids, you see - in this case the Irish living in Liverpool. He pretends not to be but of course he is - with the benefit of falling for McCallum's hot sister, Anne Haywood.
Unfortunately the movie becomes more conventional as it goes on, with McCallum turning into just another gangster, holding a schoolroom full of kids hostage, but being unable to beat the power of wise middle aged men (Baker, Peter Cushing as a priest, a teacher). It all feels superficial and a bit patronising - it's a shame because McCallum is so charismatic. If they'd made his character the leading one I think this would be a minor teenage classic, much loved by baby boomers, but the filmmakers can't resist shoving their wisdom and platitudes in. The location filming does help and there are some exciting moments.
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