The Break (1963)

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Director:

Lance Comfort

Writers:

Pip Baker (original story), Jane Baker (original story)

Stars:

Tony Britton, William Lucas, Eddie Byrne

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Tony Britton	...	Greg Parker
William Lucas	...	Jacko Thomas
Eddie Byrne	...	Judd Tredgar
Robert Urquhart	...	Pearson
Sonia Dresdel	...	Sarah
Edwin Richfield	...	Moses
Gene Anderson	...	Jean Tredegar
Christina Gregg	...	Sue Thomas
Patrick Jordan	...	Driver
John Junkin	...	Harry
Marshall Jones	...	Jim

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

independent film | 

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Genres:

Crime

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 May 1969 (East Germany)

Also Known As:

Abrindo Caminho à Bala

Filming Locations:

Shepperton Studios, Shepperton, Surrey, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mancunian Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

77 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

User Reviews

A minor but highly effective little suspenser from b-pic veteran Lance Comfort.

A convicted armed robber, Jacko Thomas (William Lucus), jumps from a speeding train and kills his police escort. At a lonely Dartmoor hotel, the proprietor Tredegar (Eddie Byrne) is arranging an escape route for Jacko who plans to take the proceeds of a robbery and his sister, Sue (Christina Gregg),to begin a new life in Argentina. But, things are complicated when famed novelist, Greg Parker (Tony Britten), and private eye, Person (Robert Urqhart), check in at the hotel. When Jacko learns about Pearson, he kills him in a fit of panic but, in actual fact, he was collecting evidence for divorce proceedings on behalf of Parker's wife who ditched him after his last book flopped. Meanwhile, the novelist has been striking up a friendship with Sue. Another murder occurs and Parker narrowly avoids falling victim to Jacko himself. Parker must find away of alerting the police to the happenings at the hotel and stop Jacko escaping with Sue and the loot. But, can Parker convince Sue of her beloved brother's homicidal tendencies?

A minor but highly effective little suspenser from director Lance Comfort who,during the 1950's and early 60's, became a man in demand and made scores of second features after his "A" feature career never really got off the ground. These ranged from the downright poor to the average and a handful of exceptional gems that showed that noteworthy efforts did sometimes come from this oft-maligned corner of British filmmaking. Comfort succeeds in creating much in the way of suspense and tension here and the attractive setting of lonely Dartmoor enhances the feeling of claustrophobia heightened by some nice sets and Basil Emmott's (another b-pic veteran)excellent b/w photography. Good performances too - William Lucas is suitably thuggish and frightening in the role of the killer and Christina Gregg is suitably naive and vulnerable in the role of his sister, Sue, who has no idea throughout about her brother being a cold blooded killer. Gregg was highly effective in another of Lance Comfort's better films - Rag Doll - in which she plays a teenage runaway who falls in love with a pop singing Soho criminal played By Jess Conrad. Highly recommended viewing. There are many familiar faces from British film and television such as Eddie Byrne (The Mummy, Island Of Terror), Robert Urqhart (The Curse Of Frankenstein)and Edwin Richfield who showed up in many episodes of cult British TV shows of the era including The Avengers.