Feature1962·69m·7.4

Band of Thieves

CrimeMusic

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.

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Cast

Acker Bilk

Self

Colin Smith

Flash

Jonathan Mortimer

Fingers

Ronald McKay

Scouse

Roy James

Dippy

Stan Greig

Haggis

Ernest Price

The Mole

Geoffrey Sumner

The Governor

Jimmy Thompson

Dandy

Jennifer Jayne

Anne

Arthur Mullard

Getaway

Maudie Edwards

The Duchess

Charmian Innes

Mrs.Van Der Ness

Michael Peake

Chief Warder

Totti Truman Taylor

Woman

Marianne Stone

Cleaner

Details

Status
Released
Original language
English
Languages
English
Budget
Revenue
Age rating
Quality
4K UHD · HDR10 · Dolby Vision
Production
The Rank Organisation

Crew

Director

Peter Bezencenet

Writers

Harold Shampan, Lyn Fairhurst

Nicolas Roeg

Director of Photography

Gallery

Reviews

CinemaSerf

1/27/2024

5.0

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.