The Hostages

THE HOSTAGES is very much an atypical Children's Film Foundation production, with nary a laugh or slapstick gag in sight. The film begins with escaped convicts Ray Barrett and Robin Askwith (!) hiding out at a remote farmhouse where they take a trio of children hostage. What follows is a typical home invasion suspense story as the kids try to turn the tables on their kidnappers and escape. This one has a fine little cast, and even Askwith acquits himself well in a non-comedic role; he's quite menacing too. In addition, Julian Holloway appears as a local doctor drawn into the drama. The film moves at a good pace, is kept realistic throughout, and has a solid amount of suspense generated from the premise.

Four prisoners escape over what looks like quite an unconvincing prison wall. Two get away in an old Ford Escort van. Leaving convicts Joe Blake and Terry Sladden to escape on foot. Blake has suffered a nasty leg injury which slows the pair down considerably. They come across a farm and when they see the farmer, his eldest daughter and his wife head off to market they break into the farmhouse and take the three children there hostage, hence the title. The kids fight back by playing tricks and mind games on their captors. I watched this Children's Film Foundation short movie on the excellent Talking Pictures TV, at an hour in length I found it to be a very enjoyable watch. Robin Askwith plays Sladden. I have been watching the "Confessions" movies recently where he strips off every 15 minutes or so, I have also watched him in several British horror movies. Naturally he keeps his clothes on here though he does play a nasty character for a change and he gets physically rough with the kids. In fact I would go as far as to say that very young children may find a few scenes upsetting, it really is quite gritty at times. No spoilers but the film ends with a tense car chase with the police in pursuit of a stolen Land Rover, this was impressively shot.

I watch every CFF that I see coming up on TPTV in the UK and this is a very good one. A lot more gritty than is usual with the baddies being quite nasty and not of the usual comedy baddie variety. A bit of a let down however as no baddies got wet, at least one usually gets wet in every CFF film, usually close to the end.

Geoff Hinsliff (Don Brennan in Coronation Street) was the uncredited man who sold the gift to the girl when she went into town. As the other review has mention Robin kept his clothes on which is very unusual for him.

Well worth watching as this is one of the best CFF films that I've seen so far.