The Gentleman Thief (2001)

Director:

Justin Hardy

Writer:

Matthew Graham

Stars:

Nigel Havers, Michael French, John Shrapnel

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Nigel Havers	...	A J Raffles
Michael French	...	Ellis Bride
John Shrapnel	...	Monty Sinclair
Frances Barber	...	Julia Sinclair
Dave Hill	...	Frank Banning
John Mills	...	Arthur Rosehip
Madeleine Worrall	...	Mags Raffles
Tim Barlow	...	Benjamin Cook
Annette Badland	...	Mrs. Pinkton
Francis Crampsie	...	Prison Guard
Jonathan Linsley	...	East End Brute
Jonathan Oliver	...	Priest
Daniel Fenton	...	Pianist at Omega
Dominic Cooper	...	PC Merrifield
Dominic Kemp	...	Constable

Storyline

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 June 2001 (UK)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bravo Cable, British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

User Reviews

Loose adaptation of Hornung's Raffles by talentless idiots

I remember it well. It was one of those adaptations, rather like the Guy Ritchie Sherlock Holmes, where you wonder if the film-makers have read any of the stories or know anything of the character at all. It stinks, really stinks. It is embarrassingly bad in fact. It was obviously designed as a pilot for a possible series but was so bad it never went any further. Nigel Havers is miscast but does his best with the risible dialogue & story. Everyone else involved was quite simply appalling.

It remains a mystery why producers think they can improve upon a classic. Be wary of changing something unless what you're changing it for is as good, or better, than the original. If not, stick to what's written. It is a classic for a reason.