Truly the worst movie I've ever seen in a theater

hyped garbage

It is interesting even when nothing much happens, which is for most of its 3-hour running time. Read full review

It's a good bad... and worth a popcorn matinée. While it's easy to lament what could have been...

In the late 1960s, career criminal John McVicar, is serving a 23 year prison sentence – he'd robbed a bank and fired at Police officers during his getaway (shooting the siren-light from the top of the police-car). Listed as a dangerous criminal who would not hesitate to kill, after attempting a prison-break at HMP Chelmsford, he is transferred from the South of England to the maximum security wing of HMP Durham, in the far North of the country. Housed in the jail are the cream of London's underworld; top ranking gangsters (such as Charlie Richardson, named Ronnie Harrison in the film), bank-robbers and various high-profile criminals – not least to mention several murderers and child-killers, the latter with whom the rest of the convicts are in complete disgust and who are ostracised.In a perpetual state of conflict against the screws and the system, the convicts stage a revolt and take-over the prison wing until their demands for a less-regimented regime is imposed – that is, a more relaxed rule book on the wing as it accommodates prisoners serving life terms. As the dust settles in the aftermath of the riot, and after having served their subsequent punishments for the take-over, the convicts' demands are more or less met and the wing – whilst still under maximum security – is transformed into a place where the cons can weight-train freely and have extended socialisation periods. With only seven convicts on the wing – the others having been transferred to other jails after the riot – and the wing being isolated from the rest of HMP Durham (effectively a prison within a prison), John and fellow convict Wally Probyn plan a daring and meticulous break-out with the assistance of the rest of the inmates.Painstakingly constructing a tunnel, under the noses of the screws, leading below the shower-room, eventually into the basement of an adjacent wing, then out into a yard and finally up onto the prison's roof - John and Wally made history with the UK's most infamous prison-break of all time. Negotiating barbed-wire and prison walls as they run for their lives chased by screws with dogs, Wally is captured but John escapes.With a massive Police man-hunt bearing down on him, John manages to evade his hunters in a nighttime cross-country 'escape sequence' which will have viewers on edge of their seats. Making it back down to London with the help of two associates who drive-up North to collect him, he is reunited with his family and has to adapt to a life on the run as the country's most wanted man. Hidding out in the big city with plans to flee abroad John is in need of money and promptly reverts to his trade of armed-robbery with the old gang.Among many powerful moments, "McVicar" contains one of the finest ever bank robberies committed to celluloid by a British production and arguably one of the coolest opening title-sequences, with accompanying soundtrack by The Who. The film is riddled with four-letter words and aggressive overtones, but it is remarkably nonviolent. The violence, when it comes, is staged maturely and realistically and is always within context. The environment of the film is certainly a tough, macho one, but "McVicar" is a grown-up film which works on many levels – notably the relationship with his wife and child, and the contrast between his friendships with fellow convicts in jail and with his criminal associates on the outside. It's a pity that contemporary British crime dramas no-longer live up to the fine standards of films like this. "McVicar" combines a real story, with genuine high-energy drama, excellent screenplay, strong performances, and it doesn't rely on comedic-caricatures, unnecessary violence or unbelievable sub-plots.

Roger Daltrey is remarkable as arch-criminal John McVicar in this completely satisfying and riveting crime drama from TV director Tom Clegg (The Sweeney). Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of his performance is his ability from the get go to make you completely forget that you're watching a bonafide rock star in the lead role. Daltrey portrays the character as a cross between a London wide boy and a sharp dressed mod--check out the hounds-tooth check jacket he wears after his escape--and though I don't know much about the real life McVicar, Roger's portrayal is thoroughly convincing. Even the presence of a handful of lung-shredding Who-style numbers layered somewhat awkwardly atop the action can't distract from Daltrey's remarkable on screen presence. The film also benefits from an utterly charming performance by Adam Faith, and though the story is fairly predictable, it's never less than interesting and enjoyable. One of the best British crime films--ever.

In the mid seventies Roger Daltrey read ex-bank robber John McVicar's autobiography and realized how similar their life situations could have been if he hadn't chosen to become a singer with The Who. He decided to buy the rights to the book and have movie made about McVicar's life in prison and his escape and life as a wanted fugitive. It was only right that Daltrey himself should play McVicar. He does an incredibly impressive job too. Looking and acting like the tough belligerent convict who is determined to break out of a maximum security prison. He succeeds with the help of a fellow inmate played by Adam Faith. Once on the outside he goes back to see his common law wife and young son. After he decides life spent constantly looking over his shoulder is not for him he pulls one more bank heist in order to afford to move out of the country with his family. Unfortunately it doesn't quite turn out as he planned. Recommended.

An absolute classic, with Daltrey portraying McVicar to a T. One of the best British gangster flicks, that will undoubtedly have taught Guy Ritchie a thing or two. Directed in such a way that the viewers sympathy lies unequivocally with the criminal, it relates a message without being pious. Very refreshing.