THE KING OF THIEVES

UK, 2018, 108 minutes, Colour.
Michael Caine, Charlie Cox, Jim Broadbent, Tom Courtenay, Paul Whitehouse, Ray Winstone, Michael Gambon, Francesca Annis.
Directed by James Marsh.

Towards the end of The King of Thieves, there is a reference to the 1952 Ealing Studios classic comedy, The Lavender Hill Mob, a surprising heist story, touches of comedy, led by veterans Alec Guinness and Stanley Holloway. There are certainly some old codgers in this one, touches of comedy, an extraordinary robbery from a security venue in London, Hatton Gardens. The present film is also from Ealing Studios. Though not nearly as good!

There are several pleasures to be had from the film, of course, especially from the veteran cast. Come to think of it, Michael Caine has been toplining films for over 50 years. Tom Courtenay’s big movie breakthrough was in 1962 with Billy Liar. Jim Broadbent is almost 70 – but Paul Whitehouse and Ray Winstone are comparatively junior, just over 60. They make a motley crew – but, certainly living in their memories and their criminal achievements.

The film opens with Michael Caine as Brian Reader, out with his wife, Francesca Annis, who is terminally ill. His promises her that he will never go back to prison. But, even at the wake, the old lags join in conversation about past jobs. However, there is a young fellow there, listening into the conversation, going out with Brian and revealing that he has inside knowledge of Hatton Gardens, the layout, IT information. He seems a bit timid, Basil, played by Charlie Cox.

The robbery takes place rather earlier in the film than expected. The screenplay pays a lot of attention to the detail, getting in, Basil turning off alarms, breaking down walls (although their special instrument itself has a breakdown), eventually getting into the vault, ransacking all the safe boxes.

Not that everything goes smoothly although, for such a group to achieve so much given technology and security, the whole thing looks comparatively easy! But, Tom Courtenay has Kenny nods off on the job, Jim Broadbent’s Terry is rather cantankerous and eager for a stoush! At times, Paul Whitehouse as Cal Wood looks as if he would prefer to be back with his vegetable garden. And, they have a difficulty with Basil’s disguise, his wig and his being young.

While the thieves give the impression of general good fellowship, the screenplay reminds us that there is no honour among thieves. We see a falling out, some taking strong stances about Brian’s leadership, dispute about the carving up of the loot – and, poor Basil, a bit overwhelmed by what they have stolen as well by the group, agrees to take a cash handout. But Basil, we find, might look like a blushing violet but underneath (and in his pocket…).

One of the irritations of the film is the continued superfluous swearing which may be authentic but we might say, give us a break! Perhaps the older actors never got the opportunity to swear like this in their earlier films and are making up for lost time – and, as great an actor as he is, Tom Courtenay swearing is not the least bit convincing! (But, of course, other audiences may not notice it at all!).

The film was directed by celebrated documentary maker James Marsh whose feature films are less convincing though their range is interesting, Man on a Ledge, The Mercy. He does include one interesting feature, brief black-and-white clips of each of the main actors from one of their earlier films.

1. The title, the focus? Brian Reader?

2. The story based on fact? The criminals? The robbery? The method? The proceeds? The arrests? The money and to date not completely recovered?

3. The London settings, the city, the streets, homes, Hatton Gardens? The interiors, the methods of the robbery? The musical score?

4. The introduction to Brian, out with his wife, the meal, her not wanting him to go to prison again, his respect for that? Her collapse, her death, the funeral, grief? The friends at the funeral, the talk about robberies?

5. The careers of the criminals? The memories, the boasts, prison? A way of life?

6. Terry, the past, aggressive, interactions with Brian? Arguments? His family? Participation in the robbery, criticisms? Cantankerous, with Brian? The meetings, criticism of Brian?

7. Kenny, his age, deafness, the past? Living alone? Easily swayed? Participation? On the lookout, going to sleep, the warnings, the security guard at the door? His reliance on Billy, defending him, giving him the loot? Talking with Brian, changing sides whomever he was talking with?

8. Danny, younger, tough, gymnastics, his past, tough talking, interactions with Basil, with the others in the group? Participation in the robbery, getting through the hole?

9. Basil, his work in IT, knowing Brian, listening to the conversation during the wake, visiting Brian, going out with him, the proposition? Brian and his resistance, his memory of his wife? Succumbing? Basil, young, disguise, his wig? The reactions of the others? His seeming young and inexperienced? Is ability and turning off the alarms? The plans, getting through the hole, ransacking the boxes and their contents? Going to the meeting, seeming too quiet, the promise of the money, his taking of the diamonds after Brian’s descriptions? His disappearing?

10. The reaction of the police, the media, suspects from overseas? The gradual information, the role of Basil? Taping the meals, getting the evidence? Brian and his visit to Margate? Summoning the others, the giving him the silent treatment? The plans, the meeting? Brian and his
reaction to Billy?

11. Everybody gathering, the police surrounding the house, everyone arrested? Their reputations?

12. The glimpses of the actors in previous films, looking so young?

13. The getting into suits, walking away, proud of themselves?

14. The information at the end, sentences served, Terry’s death, the disappearance of Basil?