... So, allowing my partner to make the choice, I went along to see 'The Bank Job'. I was mildly excited as I would be seeing something that I wouldn't necessarily choose myself, but had a feeling I would hate it.
Well, I was wrong. At first, I half-heartedly followed the plot and within about ... Read review
The Bank Job is a highly-charged heist thriller based upon the infamous 1971 robbery that ... more
took place at the Lloyds Bank in Marylebone London. Starring Jason Statham as Terry a car dealer with a dodgy past and Saffron Burrows as Martine the woman wi...
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The Bank Job is inspired by an extraordinary true event - a daring robbery that took place ... more
in the 70's, with a haul valued higher than that of the Great Train Robbery. Yet almost as soon as the 'Walkie Talkie Bank Job' happened, a gagging order was placed on the story and it disappeared completely from the media.Only now, over 30 years later, has the fascinating story come to light and the truth behind a right royal scandal been exposed. Directed by Roger Donaldson (The Recruit, Species), The Bank Job reveals an amazing backstory where for once the criminals were the most innocent ones involved.
The Bank Job is inspired by an extraordinary true event - a daring robbery that took place ... more
in the 70s, with a haul valued higher than that of the Great Train Robbery. Yet almost as soon as the 'Walkie Talkie Bank Job' happened, a gagging order was placed on the story and it disappeared completely from the media. Only now, over 30 years later, has the fascinating story come to light and the truth behind a right royal scandal been exposed. Director Roger Donaldson (The Recruit, Species), The Bank Job reveals an amazing backstory where for once the criminals were the most innocent ones involved. Starring Jason Statham (The Transporter, Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels), Saffron Burrows (Deep Blue Sea) and David Suchet (TV's Poirot), this is a highly charged thriller and an immensely enjoyable Brit-flick in one.
In this heist film starring Jason Statham (THE TRANSPORTER), the mystery doesn't revolve ... more
around the robbery itself. Instead, when the thieves steal the contents of safe deposit boxes at a London bank, they uncover evidence of deceit and crime that reach all the way to the crown.
Jason Statham and Saffron Burrows star in director RogerDonaldson's cinematic account of ... more
the true-life 1971 London bankrobbery that baffled the authorities and fascinated the public.Terry Leather (Statham) was a small-time car dealer who was tryingto leave his shady past behind and start a family. Though he'dnever been involved in any major crimes, he wasn't exactly on thestraight and narrow his whole life either. Martine Love (Burrows)is a beautiful model from Terry's old neighborhood who knows thather former neighbor is no angel. When Martine proposes a foolproofplan to rob a Baker Street bank, Terry recognizes the danger butrealizes this may be the opportunity of a lifetime. As theoperation gets underway, the resourceful band of thieves burrowsits way into a safe-deposit vault at the Lloyds Bank in Marylebone,quickly hitting a literal treasure trove of cash and pricelessgems. But while the crew did know that the safe-deposit boxescontained millions in riches, they didn't realize that they alsocontained secrets that implicated everyone from London's mostnotorious underworld gangsters to powerful government figures, andeven the Royal Family. Though the crime would make headlines allacross Britain for several days after the fact, a government gagorder eventually brought all reporting on the case to an immediatehalt. Could it be that the most notorious bank robbers in recentmemory were actually the most innocent people involved in thisscandalous crime?
Thriller - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Timothy West, Neil Morrissey, Tara Fitzgerald, Annette Crosbie, Pauline Quirke, Rob Brydon, Denise Van Outen, John Thomson, Kevin Whately, David Suchet
Production Year: 2002 - Thriller - Director: Bharat Nalluri, Rob Bailey, Andy Wilson - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Matthew MacFadyen, Keeley Hawes, David Oyelowo, Peter Firth, Jenny Agutter, Lisa Faulkner
Production Year: 2002 - Thriller - Director: K.C. Bascombe - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Jesse James, Rachel Skarsten, Charles Powell, Linda Purl, Kevin Zegars
Advantages: A true story! Good escapism! Great action Disadvantages: Some of the performances aren't that great!
...heist gone wrong… in all the right ways.'''
This film has been described as a thriller, crime, mystery and a brit flick a la 'Lock Stock'. When having a look at the cinema listings, choosing something to go and see, this film did not really appeal, as the genres already mentioned aren't among the types of film I would usually be interested in. I prefer to watch big blockbusters, or films with a more avant garde nature. So, allowing ... ...At first, I half-heartedly followed the plot and within about 20 minutes, I was hooked. Set in the 70s, this film is based on the true story of 'Baker Street Bank Robbery' from 1971, when a group of 'dodgy' characters plotted to break into Lloyds Bank (on Baker Street) and rob the contents of it's vault of safety deposit boxes. This story had a 'gagging order' on it from the Government, for over 30 years, and after watching, I am not surprised. more
True story of a heist gone wrong… in all the right ways.
This film has been described as a thriller, crime, mystery and a brit flick a la 'Lock Stock'. When having a look at the cinema listings, choosing something to go and see, this film did not really appeal, as the genres already mentioned aren't among the types of film I would usually be interested in. I prefer to watch big blockbusters, or films with a more avant garde nature. So, allowing my partner to make the choice, I went along to see 'The Bank Job'. I was mildly excited as I would be seeing something that I wouldn't necessarily choose myself, but had a feeling I would hate it.
Well, I was wrong. At first, I half-heartedly followed the plot and within about 20 minutes, I was hooked. Set in the 70s, this film is based on the true story of 'Baker Street Bank Robbery' from 1971, when a group of 'dodgy' characters plotted to break into Lloyds Bank (on Baker Street) and rob the contents of it's vault of safety deposit boxes. This story had a 'gagging order' on it from the Government, for over 30 years, and after watching, I am not surprised.
The robbing team had duel motives for breaking in. After hatching their plan to dig a tunnel under a couple of shops and get into the vault through the floor, we have some wanting the money and jewels. Then there is one other, who unbeknown to her 'criminal colleagues' who wants one box in particular. This box contains more 'precious' articles, being photographic evidence of 'royal activity' (a sex scandal), that needed to be stolen in order to 'protect' it from getting into the wrong hands, namely, the press. But largely, to counterattack a bribe from a yet to be, convicted activist, Michael X (who had the photos taken initially). The 'precious' contents lie in safety deposit box 118, and it is its content that triggers most of the appauling crimes.
The story, ultimately is complicated, but quite easy to follow. Characters plot, bride, double-cross and scheme against each other, creating a tangled web on criminal intentions. The drama builds up to the break-in itself, but the action didn't stop there, what plays out after is as gripping as the break-in itself, with enough tension and drama to keep us entertained. It was rated R (Violence/Nudity/Profanity/Sexual Situations) and I can't help feeling though, that this film is more aimed at men (or anyone who finds ladies attractive) due to quite a fair bit of female nudity, which I wasn't expecting.
Performances were fair, the best probably going to lead actor, Jason Statham (The Transporter, Revolver) who plays Terry Leather, the man who holds the plan together. The female lead, Martine Love was played by Saffron Burrows (Frida, Reign Over Me) who I'd never seen act before, but did an alright job, didn't blow me away by any means. Inevitably, the best performance was from the legend David Suchet (Hercule Poirot himself) who played the old perve and 'baddie', Lew Vogel with brilliance.
Director, Roger Donaldson (Cocktail, The Recruit) did a great job in capturing enough action, drama whilst not neglecting to highlight the human side of the characters, good and bad. Credit should also go to the writers, Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais, for finally bringing this true story to light. The tagline describes it as a crime that went wrong in the right way, because it brought to public attention, so much underhand activity that would never had been discovered had those safety deposit boxes not been raided. Interestingly enough, it turned out that most of the stolen property was never declared or claimed, as most of the 'private' contents would have been so damning to their owners. Tut tut.
The most remarkable thing about this story, is the sheer amount of criminal activity (and I'm not just talking about the robbers). Then I found out that paradoxically, not one arrest was made, nor was any of the money recovered. I can't believe this stuff actually happened. It doesn't make me feel safe in the hands of our police system or happy with the state of corruption within our government either. Disturbingly, the thieves turned out to be the most innocent people in this crazy mess! Also, at the end, before the credits roll, we read that there is even more story to be told, but has a silencing order put on it until 2050! What else went on, is what I want to know! Well, in another 48 years, maybe we'll find out.
I really enjoyed this film, it wasn't the best thing I've seen this year by far. However, the story surprised and intrigued me, even more so that it is based on truth. It also got me thinking about corruption in the public eye that we never hear about, and also about other matters. And if a film can do this, it can't be a bad thing.
I would give it 4 out of 5.
(Interesting bloopers?…I would be grateful if anyone could correct me if I'm wrong, but some of the action happened at Paddington Station and we saw a sign for platforms 13 and 14…I didn't think they were built as early as 1971??? Also could you get passport photos in a 2x2 formation…I thought they were all issued in strips??? Hmmm…thoughts on that are invited by comment or gb)
Advantages: A couple of okayish performances. Disadvantages: Evrything about it looks and feels cheap and there's no sense of realism.
In London in 1971, the Baker Street branch of Lloyds bank was broken into and over four million pounds worth of money and items were stolen from safety deposit boxes by a gang of thieves. Known as the Walkie Talkie Gang because of how they communicated, the whole affair was hushed up after a government D-Notice gagged the press. What could have provoked such a reaction? Could it have anything to do with the contents of one of the boxes - like maybe ... ...And were the criminals really as organised as the media suggested?
Aussie director Roger Donaldson must have given up hope of ever having another hit if this poorly structured mess is anything to go by. It feels like a made-for-TV movie because the production values are so low. The film stock is grubby and the colours look washed-out. The camerawork is jerky, which often distracts from the action. Conversations are mostly shot as a series of talking ...
afy9mab 10.03.2008
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Advantages: Enaging plot, great performances. Disadvantages: None.
Introduction
Before watching this 2008 film, I hadn't seen or heard a lot of advertisements or trailers for it. In fact I had only seen one theatrical trailer, in the cinema before the start of 'The Cottage', which I'm intending to review presently. After a single, two minute long clip, I wanted to see this crime thriller as soon as I could.
Plot
Firstly 'The BankJob' is set in 1970's London. A car sales man is having trouble making a success of his garage, with his company making losses he owes others money. A couple of debt collectors approach him and smash a few cars, threatening to do more if debts are not paid he realises he needs more than his failing garage to survive. Which is where another job offer arises; a bank heist. There are twists and turns throughout the plot, keeping the audience interested and absorbed in ...
Advantages: some parts of the film are interesting to watch Disadvantages: No jokes, no nudity, no real action.
a loan shark criminal gangster to terrorise victims and get his job done.
Its a British film, based on a true story supposedly. It's the true story of the 1971 Baker Street bank robbery.
The film highlights the criminal backgrounds of the robbers, and the people behind the robbery as criminals, drug traffickers, brothel owners and prostitution participants in one form or another. The film also illustrated the civil rights movement using screenames such as Michael X and Hakeem as obvious civil rights leading figures during this movement in world history.
What happens basically a woman with the screen name Martine and Terry and his friends from London get involved in a misleading attempt at a bank robbery where it is suggested that nothing will go wrong,
The London based gang are led to believe that money is the only motive behind ...
costas1234 11.02.2008 (29.05.2009)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of The Bank Job (DVD)
Advantages: An interesting storyline Disadvantages: Nothing stood out
****Film Only Review****
Normally I am the first person to see film's in my house but in the case of 'The BankJob' my mum had already seen it before I settled down to watch it the other night. Because of her previous viewing I was already aware that the film was decent, which for my mum to say is definitely a compliment. I was therefore dually expecting a really entertaining couple hours and by and large this is exactly what I got.
General Information
The BankJob is a British made Crime film that was released in 2008. The film's cast include names of the big and small screen including Jason Stratham, James Faulkner, Saffron Burrows and Keeley Hawes. The film is based on the Baker Street Robbery of 1971 but the extent of the historical facts is difficult to determine under the significant fictional elements of the story ...
Contains very strong language, and strong sex and violence
Video Category
Feature Film
Country Of Origin
United Kingdom
Release details
DVD Region
DVD
Studio(s)
LIONS GATE HOME ENTERTAINMENT; ELEVATION SALES; TECHNICOLOR DISTRIBUTION SERVICES
Languages
Main Language
English
Technical information
Aspect Ratio
16:9 Anamorphic Wide Screen
Sound
Dolby Digital
Professional reviews
Review
A brilliantly exciting untold story (Front Magazine, 10/01/2008)
DVD Description
In this heist film starring Jason Statham (THE TRANSPORTER), the mystery doesn't revolve around the robbery itself. Instead, when the thieves steal the contents of safe deposit boxes at a London bank, they uncover evidence of deceit and crime that reach all the way to the crown.
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