Band of Thieves (1962)
1h 9m | PG-13
A group of prisoners are encouraged to form a jazz band and vow to go straight when they are released to tour the country. However, the trumpets and clarinets are just a cover for a series of robberies. Musical comedy, starring British jazz star Acker Bilk as himself, alongside Jimmy Thompson and Jennifer Jayne.
Director: Peter Bezencenet
Studio: The Rank Organisation
Genre: Crime, Music
Video: 720p
Cast
Acker Bilk
as Self
Colin Smith
as Flash
Jonathan Mortimer
as Fingers
Ronald McKay
as Scouse
Roy James
as Dippy
Stan Greig
as Haggis
Reviews
There's no point in watching this if you're not into Acker Bilk's distinctive style of jazz. The story itself is almost irrelevant and pretty far fetched! He and his band have been in and out of prison - using their band's touring as a front for some grand larceny, but really not having the wits to get away with anything afterwards. Luckily, the prison governor (Geoffrey Sumner) is an avid fan of the music, so they continue to get a pretty easy ride whilst behind bars plotting more daft criminal antics. All the while, we are treated to a selection of his music (co-written with Norrie Paramor who, cleverly, only features the once!) and a duet or two with Carol Deene. It's harmless fun that delivers a sort of "Carry On" feel to the crime caper aspect, but it's really just a showcase for the man and his music. Enjoy it for that.