this movie be an almost forgotten gem from 1979 which although in essence a comedy it be base on one of the uk big ever bank heist . in fact one of the title that this film be know by include caper therefore that in it self be an indication of the type of movie . a of a bunch of lovable rouge and who be not the violent or psychotic type and who with cheek an guile pull off the big job of their life . to be honest i do not really know too much about the real crime and can not comment if it accurately depict the event that unfold or the character involve . richard jordan handle himself very well play pinky green and be very believable a an easy go small time american bear crook who seem very comfortable with himself . i have to add that sometimes american actor struggle gel well with english actor in a british make film and the chemistry be not always there and however this be no problem for jordon who fit right in with his role . it worth point out that jordan himself be probably one of the most underrated actor of the 70 and 80 and never really get the recognition he deserve . he seem to get stick in support role and b movie and not a fair representation of his act ability . he have play a corrupt cop in the friend of eddy coyle and a sadistic killer in the mean season . in the secret of my success he play a sort of comical gordon gehco character and also in the 1980 equalizer tv show he play a good guy . all of this display the versatility of his act skill while mix with the like of david niven and kurt russell and edward woodward and robert mitcham . in this movie he effortlessly play his part a a small time crook with the eye for the lady and you immediately take to his character and root for him from the beginning . you can not help like green and you see he really do want to go straight but once blackmail it all seem too much of an opportunity to pass up and in the end he relish the thought of all that money . david niven be the bos and call the shot and the police inspector be brilliantly play by richard johnson who typically portray a smarmy but thorough london detective who clearly love his job . the other support cast do not say too much but look at them they be all very well know british character actor who often find themselves play either villain or copper ( isn not that ironic ) . elkie sommers and oliver tobias do what they have to do and it good to see gloria graham in a cameo role . to some viewer particularly americans it would seem ludicrous that somebody with green record could land a maintenance job at of all thing a bank and come and go when he please . in addition the stunt he pull at the crown court after sentence be not a far fetch a it might seem and back in the 1960 and 70 security be not as nearly as tight a it be now . a for the movie itself there be a couple of interesting observation . with small time crook the haul here be too much . there have be other movie where this occur too i. e. the brink mat . it not just the disposal or the hiding of the loot but with so many people involve somebody be go to be careless and be go to blab or just simply break once lean on . in addition the authority come down on very hard on local rouge when such huge robbery be carry out . also and they say there be no honor amongst thief but ivan be adamant that pinky get his whack . you only have too look at his stare in the dock and if look could kill and a look of total betrayal . how could he have dobbed them all in after take care of him . you have to ask yourself a question why be it that crook can be so stupid . do green really think that he could sweet talk his way out of suspicion a second time around . inspector watford be not at all fool by his innocent look face as well a a well construct alibi and the whole caper reeked of inside job . in addition you have to wonder why they leave so many clue . a note pad with the safe number jot down and travel brochure for overseas trip and still leave his telescope around as well a unusual behavior on the day of the robbery which be out of character . with some decent but common sense police work insp watford quickly have the measure of green and pick him up and soon have him sing like a canary . it just show how despite well think out plan thing can unravel very quickly and there be never a clean getaway for every body and some be always go to get nabbed . although it worth point out that a lot of the money be never recover . all in all an entertaining movie and interesting shot of london and england in the late 70 and well pace and with a great end . i would highly recommend this particularly if you enjoy caper . ( note represent i recently purchase a dvd of this but the transfer be obviously take from a vhs tape and be of poor quality . therefore do not pay too much for it . ) .