What was intended to be a gritty insight into the brutality of the underworld, ends up being a tatty melodrama in this mid-budget misfire from director John Guillermin.
Peter Sellers is cast against type as the leader of a stolen car racket, whose ruthless methods prompt victim Richard Todd and street punk Adam Faith to forge an unlikely alliance against him.
Alun Falconer’s script does nobody any favours, with Sellers reduced to embarrassing histrionics in the bid to shed his comic image.
Todd never convinces as the salesman who takes the law into his own hands, while Elizabeth Sellars, as his wife, comes across as a right madam. Adam Faith‘s performance as a Teddy Boy working for the sociopathic car dealer is accomplished enough to banish memories of his pivotal role in Beat Girl (1960).
John Cummings
Richard Todd Lionel Meadows
Peter Sellers Anne Cummings
Elizabeth Sellars Tommy Towers
Adam Faith Jackie
Carol White Alfie Barnes
Mervyn Johns Inspector Thomas
Noel Willman Cliff
David Lodge Alec Berger
Peter Jones Pennington
John Le Mesurier
