Michael Tremayne (Michael Crawford) and David Tremayne (Oliver Reed) decide to steal the Crown Jewels from the Tower of London, not for criminal purposes, but to make themselves famous.Michael Tremayne (Michael Crawford) and David Tremayne (Oliver Reed) decide to steal the Crown Jewels from the Tower of London, not for criminal purposes, but to make themselves famous.Michael Tremayne (Michael Crawford) and David Tremayne (Oliver Reed) decide to steal the Crown Jewels from the Tower of London, not for criminal purposes, but to make themselves famous.
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- 1 nomination total
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They don't make movies like this anymore, do they?
If I remember correctly, the criminals steal the crown jewels by planting a bomb in the museum where they are kept. Then one criminal impersonates a soldier in a bomb disposal squad and enters the museum after it is closed due to the bomb threat. Next, after the bomb goes off, the other criminal impersonates an ambulance driver who rescues his colleague, stealing the jewels in the process. The robbery of the vault in the remake of "Ocean's 11", where the robbery crew impersonates the SWAT team, is very similar.
Both are a couple of drifters from a highly privileged background and have been given the best in life, but they are bored and suffer from a superiority complex which means they think they are above the law and that winning is all that matters. The theft is a chance to cock a snook at the British establishment, of which they are a part, and to brag about it to their party-going 'hooray' friends, thus enabling them to become part of folklore for their generation. They believe they can get away with it so long as the jewels are returned to the Tower - and there lies the crunch.
The opening scene shows the Crawford character being slung out of the army for breaking every rule in the book and circumnavigating the army's chain of command so that he can capture his objective on Salisbury Plain. The fact that he used his initiative is neither here nor there - he's a rebel with no ethics and that doesn't fit well with the British Army. In time of war, you need buccaneers like the brothers in order to win the day. They are straight out of sixteenth century tradition of Francis Drake and Walter Raleigh and this coincides exactly with the spirit of the hedonistic 'swinging sixties' where anything goes.
The picture is tremendous fun and is well scripted by Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais, two of the best screenwriters around. Michael Crawford didn't want to participate in the making of the film originally as he thought no-one would believe he could be Oliver Reed's brother. However, prior to filming, he met Reed's real-life brother who displayed an uncanny resemblance to Crawford and this made him change his mind. THIS MOVIE MUST BE BROUGHT OUT ON DVD NOW!!!
I highly recommend this film as the intensity of Oliver Reed will have you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. Not too many films capture the imagination, but this one grabs you immediately and never lets go until it is time to hit the exits.
Go see it and Enjoy! Big time entertainment!
Did you know
- TriviaWhile filming a night scene in Piccadilly Circus, Writer and Director Michael Winner set off an unannounced smoke bomb, causing horrendous traffic jams, after which he sped off in a taxi with the film magazine, leaving other members of the crew to be arrested. This incident caused such resentment that for many years afterwards permission to film there was denied. John Landis' "Le Loup-garou de Londres (1981)" was the first to be allowed to do so.
- GoofsThe Union Jack in the very first scene/shot is upside down.
- Quotes
Sir Matthew: [holding newspaper] Look at this!
Insp. Marryatt: Well, we're doing our best, sir. We're keeping Tremayne under constant observation.
Sir Matthew: Yes, I see you are. Who's heading that team? Catchpole, isn't it?
Insp. Marryatt: Yes, sir.
Sir Matthew: His expenses are unbelievable! Who's he working for? Us or the Good Food Guide?
- ConnectionsReferenced in Schlock! The Secret History of American Movies (2001)
- How long is The Jokers?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- The Jokers
- Filming locations
- Carshalton, Surrey, England, UK(exteriors: Ponds/The Grove/Greyhound Inn)
- Production companies
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- Runtime1 hour 34 minutes
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1