Até o Último Gangster

'The Frightened City' is an interesting crime drama set in a pre-Beatles England featuring a strong performance from Sean Connery, the year before he became a movie legend as James Bond. Connery plays Paddy Damion a thief who is recruited by a mobster (Alfred Marks) to oversee his money collection. Paddy is no thug but takes the job because his partner (Kenneth Griffith) has been injured in a robbery and he feels obligated to support him. Marks is actually the puppet of criminal mastermind Zhernikov (Herbert Lom), who has the image of a respectable businessman, but is in fact manipulating the local mobsters for his own ends. Add to this mix the beautiful Anya (Yvonne Romain), wanna be singer and Zhernikov's mistress, who Paddy immediately takes a shine to, and Sayers (John Gregson) the dedicated cop trying to crack open organized crime and you've got yourself a pretty cool attempt at Brit Noir. Connery is terrific, Lom even better and I enjoyed seeing Kenneth Griffith and Yvonne Romain again after their supporting roles in the classic shocker 'Circus Of Horrors' starring Anton Diffring. 'The Frightened City' is worth a look.

One of a clutch of vintage British thrillers released by Anchor Bay Entertainment (back when it was still going by that name and enjoying its deserved status as one of the major specialist DVD labels) that also included two superior Stanley Baker efforts – Val Guest's HELL IS A CITY (1959) and Joseph Losey's THE CRIMINAL (1960). That THE FRIGHTENING CITY comes up short when compared to these two movies is perhaps unsurprising in view of the fact that director John Lemont – best-known today (if at all) for the campy monster flick KONGA (1961) – is clearly not the equal of either Guest or Losey at the top of their game. In fact, there is little evidence here of anything as individualistic as Guest's combination of wit and grit or Losey's extraordinary expressionist pyrotechnics and, ultimately, the film rises or falls on the strength of its actors. A pre-Bond Sean Connery may be third billed but he commendably carries the film on his shoulders for much of its running time; smooth-talking shady lawyer Herbert Lom is also quite good but his screen time is much less than his top billing might suggest; lock-jawed copper John Gregson adequately stands up to both men, pitting them one against the other when Connery's friend (a reluctant 'director' in Lom's crime syndicate) is shot in cold blood by Lom's sleazy partner (a scene-stealing turn from Alfred Marks). Of course, a gangster is only as good as his moll and Lom's is ambitious French singer Yvonne Romain (actually, she's half-Maltese!) who soon gets under Connery's skin (or should I say bed sheets) but does not think twice of betraying his whereabouts to the police when they threaten her with deportation! Also featured in the cast are Kenneth Griffith (as Connery's crippled ex-partner from his cat burglar days) and Italian restaurateur George Pastell (who soon finds out that 'accidents will happen' when one does not pay his dues in protection money).

'The Frightened City' stars both Sean Connery and Herbert Lom just before their iconic appearances in the Bond & Pink Panther series respectively (although Lom already had a substantial film career before The Pink Panther series).

But it wasn't the first time they appeared together, having appeared in 1957's 'Hell Drivers'. And it's this comparison that weakens TFC as while both films are similarly hard-nosed, rough-edged action films, HD is superior more interesting characters, compelling drama and more vivid action scenes.

That isn't to say TFC is a bad film - it's solidly entertaining with a good atmosphere and Connery displaying the charisma that was about to make him a major star (plus a nicely underplayed turn from Lom as the villain). But it's too conventional in its plotting and lacking great action scenes to be up to HD's level.

Still, TFC is a decent film and worth a look

The film is above average, well made, but lacking the style or brio that makes a good US or Italian crime film really fun. Sean Connery is great to look at in his leaner, pre-Bond form, and Herbert Lom is excellent. Connery plays a low-level mobster, and Lom is the criminal mastermind behind the mobs. It's interesting to contrast the portrayal of violence in this early 60s British film with American or other later portrayals. The approach here is so banal, and the mobsters are obviously pulling their punches in the fight scenes. The director seems completely uninterested in making the violence realistic or exciting. The final fight, however, has some choreography to it and a few interesting touches. In summation, a paint by numbers job, competent British B film, uninspired film making, but good nostalgic fun.

THE FRIGHTENED CITY is one of the films that Sean Connery made in the year before he found fame and success as James Bond in 1962's DR. NO. This one's a crime epic with a much more complex plot than is usual for the British B-picture genre: it involves rival gangsters setting up extensive criminal operations and subsequently falling out and gunning for each other over turf and business.

Connery is the young tough brought in to restore order and he brings plenty of warmth and charisma to what is otherwise a pretty tough role. The supporting cast is very good and well worth tuning in for. Herbert Lom isn't in it too much unfortunately but Alfred Marks, who I've only previously seen in comic fare like DESERT MICE, is fine as a really hateful character. John Gregson slips into the well-worn shoes of the detective with ease. Yvonne Romain (THE CURSE OF THE WEREWOLF) is an arresting femme fatale. Patrick Holt plays another cop and George Pastell a put-upon Italian who is the subject of one or two racist gags. Kenneth Griffith bags the most sympathetic part as the crippled friend. Marianne Stone, Bruce Seton, and even Stephen Lewis (Blakey from ON THE BUSES!) appear in bit parts. There isn't a wealth of action in THE FRIGHTENED CITY, but the plot feels fresh, involved, and fast-moving, and the ending is particularly strong.