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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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.