I saw this film on TV under the title SEWERS OF GOLD. It's a British heist movie based on a true story about a gang of fascists who decide to rob a safety deposit vault in Nice by accessing it through the local sewer system. The story had already been adapted as PARADISE but this British version is well worth a watch, riding high in a mini-wave of similar heist pictures that came out around the same time (A NIGHTINGALE SANG IN BERKELEY SQUARE is another good one).
The film was directed by the little-known Francis Megahy who would later re-team with Ian McShane for a few LOVEJOY episodes. McShane is excellent here, by the way, tough, suave, and charismatic as the leader of the robbers. Inevitably most of the running time is involved with the detail of the planning and execution of the robbery and it's a masterpiece of tension, featuring a strong cast (including a youthful Warren Clarke making an impact) and expert direction. The tension never lets up. The finale offers plenty of twists and turns which keep the viewer engaged too. I love films in this sub-genre and SEWERS OF GOLD is another highlight.
