the audience applauded

Fresh and Exciting

Absolutely the worst movie.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

It takes the British to make something memorable and gripping out of an ordinary bank heist movie, helped by two tremendous performances. Astonishing that Hammer invested only 37,000 pounds (by 2009 standards) into this film!! Peter Cushing is perfection as the martinet Mr. Fordyce, a bank manager who runs the bank (and his life) like clockwork!! His nit picking and constant carping don't make for a happy work place and he is constantly tried by Pearson (can't remember the actor's name but he was terrific as the old Major in "The Duchess of Duke Street"). Pearson is constantly stressed but hard hearted Fordyce will not recommend the transfer Pearson so desperately craves, in fact he is contemplating dismissing the luckless teller!!Into this oppressive atmosphere breezes "Captain" Hepburn, passing himself off as head of a security firm employed by the bank's head office to tour the branches to see their security is up to snuff. He is really the head of a slick band of bank robbers, although you only see him, but he succeeds in ingratiating himself with the staff, something Fordyce has never been able to do, by donating a fiver to their office party. The put upon staff have been too frightened to bring up the subject of a Christmas party with the manager for fear of being shot down in flames.Pearson proves a bit of a red herring, he is just about to witness his whole life go up in smoke, could he be up to doing something not "above board"? - but in reality it is his suspicion that saves the day. He has already got in touch with the head office security and realises there is every reason to worry - when Fordyce is still trying to butter up to Hepburn who can see at a glance what the staff really think of their manager!! Hepburn has made it his duty to research each bank worker - he knows Pearson has his worries, that another staff member has just won a chess club tournament and that Fordyce's wife has more fear of him than love. Andre Morrel, a staple of British movies and TV from the 40s, 50s and 60s, is just superb as the villain with the human touch, a very uncommon thief!!Highly Recommended.

I was going to give this film an 8, but when I thought about how inexpensively and expertly the movie was made, I really think it deserves a 9. This is a great case of a relatively simple plot made a whole lot better by wonderful acting and direction. In particular, André Morell plays a deliciously evil yet complex villain and Peter Cushing gives what is probably his best performance in his long career. As a result, it's well worth seeing--and a great example for film makers, as it proves you don't need a huge budget and complex sets to make a good film.The film is set in a bank. The manager (Cushing) is a humorless and exacting boss--very efficient but not one to inspire his employees' love or devotion. However you dislike the guy, though, you can't help but feel for him with what happens next. A guy who purports to be from the underwriter for the bank arrives and asks to meet with Cushing alone. The man (Morell) then announces that he is, in fact, a bank robber and that if Cushing does not cooperate, Cushing's wife and son will be tortured or killed. And, he provides a phone message with the scared wife to prove that he means business. What will happen next? Cushing IS a very efficient man, but he loves his family and can't let them be hurt.Throughout the film, I marveled at Cushing. The actor was known mostly for his horror films, but he appeared in gobs of movies--but never one that allowed him such an opportunity to emote like this. Cushing is very, very convincing as a scared and lonely man who feels trapped. It's too bad that many of his other roles were a bit one-dimensional and didn't let him demonstrate he was a heck of an actor. Morell is also quite good--but his smooth criminal doesn't provide him quite the same depth and opportunity as Cushing's. This is Cushing's film.An exciting plot, wonderfully written characters and great acting--what more could you ask for in a crime film?! See this one.

Two days before Christmas and all is not well in the bank. Austure, fastidious, and domineering bank manager Fordyce (the always superb Peter Cushing in top form) finds himself at the mercy of urbane and wily criminal Hepburn (marvelously played to the smooth and smug hilt by Andre Morell), who forces Fordyce to assist him with robbing his bank or else Fordyce's abducted wife and son will be severely hurt. Director Quentin Lawrence, working from a sharp and witty script by David T. Chantler and Lewis Greifer, ably milks the gripping story for maximum suspense and maintains a steady pace throughout. Lawrence downplays action in favor of focusing instead on tension and the shrewd bristling verbal sparring between the two principal characters. Moreover, this movie is essentially a clever thriller version of "A Christmas Carol," with the initially unlikable Fordyce becoming more and more sympathetic as he learns a much-needed albeit harrowing lesson in humility and thus regains his humanity while doing his best to stay calm and collected under intense pressure. Cushing and Morell do outstanding work in their roles. Richard Vernon likewise does well as kindly chief clerk Pearson. Both Arthur Grant's crisp black and white cinematography and Wilfred Josephs' shivery score are up to par. A real dandy sleeper.

This film is unbelievably riveting from start to finish. I first saw this film in the late sixties and never forgot this compelling tale of sheer suspense.It is rare indeed for a film with just two principal characters to sustain a film with sheer psychological terror. I'd say don't miss! (albeit, sadly, a little seen movie).