The Big Money
The Big Money

Movie spotlight

The Big Money

1958
Movie
86 min
English

Petty thief Willie Frith steals a suitcase full of bank notes, only to find out that they have been given all the same serial number. But this is only the start of his troubles, now he has to find a way of changing the notes, so he can impress the barmaid of his local pub.

Insights

IMDb6.4/10
Director: John KrishGenres: Drama, Crime, Thriller

Plot Summary

Based on a story by John Ramage, this British crime drama follows the efforts of Detective Inspector Hardy as he investigates a series of escalating robberies. The investigation becomes increasingly complex as the criminals' methods become bolder and more violent, pushing Hardy to his limits. The film explores the psychological toll of the chase on both the detective and the perpetrators.

Critical Reception

The Big Money is a lesser-known but well-regarded British crime thriller that effectively builds suspense and tension. While not a major critical darling upon release, it has since garnered appreciation for its gritty portrayal of police work and its intelligent script. Audience reception tends to focus on its effective pacing and atmospheric depiction of a London on edge.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its taut atmosphere and suspenseful plotting.

  • Noted for its solid performances, particularly from the lead detective.

  • Considered a competent example of British crime cinema from the era.

Google audience: Google user reviews are not readily available for this older film, but general audience sentiment often highlights its effective suspense and period authenticity.

Fun Fact

The film was based on a story by John Ramage, who also wrote the screenplay for the classic 1955 Ealing Studios comedy 'whodunit', The Ladykillers.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

2 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

Ian Carmichael "Willie", is the pretty hapless son in a family of petty thieves. One evening he turns up at their daily reckoning with a suitcase that he pinched from a vicar at the railway station. Turns out it contains a small fortune in ...

John Chard

John Chard

Not really a hic-hic hooray here. Out of Pinewood Studios, The Big Money is directed by John Paddy Carstairs and written by John Baines. It stats Ian Carmichael, Belinda Lee, Robert Helpmann, James Hayter, Kathleen, Harrison and George C...