McVicar (1980)

John McVicar was a London Bad Boy. he graduated to armed bank robbery and was Britain's "Public Enemy No. 1". He was captured and put into a high security prison. Will even the highest ... See full summary »

Director:

Tom Clegg

Writers:

John McVicar (screenplay), Tom Clegg (screenplay),

Stars:

Roger Daltrey, Adam Faith, Cheryl Campbell

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Roger Daltrey	...	John McVicar
Adam Faith	...	Walter Probyn
Cheryl Campbell	...	Sheila McVicar
Billy Murray	...	Joey Davis
Georgina Hale	...	Kate
Steven Berkoff	...	Ronnie Harrison
Brian Hall	...	Terry Stokes
Peter Jonfield	...	Bobby Harris
Matthew Scurfield	...	Streaky Jeffries
Leonard Gregory	...	Jimmy Collins
Joe Turner	...	Panda
Jeremy Blake	...	Ronnie Johnson
Anthony Trent	...	Tate
Terence Stuart	...	Sid
Harry Fielder	...	Harry Aitch

Storyline

John McVicar was a London Bad Boy. he graduated to armed bank robbery and was Britain's "Public Enemy No. 1". He was captured and put into a high security prison. Will even the highest security prison be able to hold him ? This is the true story of his life, his criminal exploits and his eventual rehabilitation.

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Plot Keywords:

prison | criminal | based on true story | independent film | based on book

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Taglines:

Sentenced to 23 years-and he won't accept one day of it

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

August 1980 (UK)

Also Known As:

En fånge har rymt

Filming Locations:

Ireland

Company Credits

Production Co:

Polytel, The Who Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

112 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Although in the book on which the film is based, McVicar was in prison with many infamous criminals of his day, the majority of characters in the film have fictitious names. For example, the character of Cody is based on the notorious Moors Murderer Ian Brady, and his girlfriend, mentioned during the riot scenes (as McVicar and others read the transcription from Cody's trial), is Myra Hindley.

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Goofs

At the end of the film a caption says that McVicar was arrested in 1970. This means that the action in the film took place in the late 1960s before his arrest. However throughout the film, in the street scenes, there are cars from a later date. This is most notable in a scene where the E-type Jag turns right, behind what appears to be a Mark IV Cortina - a late 1970s model.

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Quotes

[Prisoner Cody is brought from the secure wing for dinner]
Terry Stokes: Sex case! Sex case! Hang him, hang him, hang him!
Prisoners: [joining in from their cells] Sex case! Sex case! Hang him, hang him, hang him!
Prisoners: [louder] Sex case! Sex case! Hang him, hang him, hang him!
Prisoners: [louder still] Sex case! Sex case! Hang him, hang him, hang him, hang him, hang him, hang him!
Prisoners: [shouting] Hang him, hang him, hang him, hang him, hang him, hang him!

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Crazy Credits

Quote by John McVicar in the closing credits: "Being a thief is a terrific life. But the trouble is they put you in jail for it."

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Connections

Referenced in Alan Meets Roger Daltrey (2005)

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Soundtracks

"Just a Dream Away"
Written by Russ Ballard
Performed by Roger Daltrey

User Reviews

Roger Daltrey's most successful film role

A gripping portrayal of a seasoned villain's desire to escape from prison and start a new life. Roger Daltrey succeeds in making John McVicar appear to be a decent family man despite his hard-man antics. Adam Faith is excellent as Walter, McVicar's colleague in prison. Again, he is portrayed to be a cheeky Cockney geezer, immensely likeable.

From the outset, the prison guards are given no sympathy, they are brutal,unfair and dim-witted. Daltrey's vocals are used extensively to colour the film and the viewer is left in no doubt as to the director's sympathies. John McVicar is now a respected writer and broadcaster.