The Squeeze (1977)

Beautiful, moving film.

Too much about the plot just didn't add up, the writing was bad, some of the scenes were cringey and awkward,

The first must-see film of the year.

It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties.

I'm a big Stephen Boyd fan and had to catch this film as it was his second to last film before his untimely death. I rate this film above average. The story moves at a decent pace, and the acting is fairly good, but truthfully, it's nothing to write home about. A really great cast is wasted here as far as I'm concerned. Guess I can't blame any of the actors involved, as the script is lacking in true greatness. However, it is an entertaining enough film. Regarding Stephen Boyd. He looked lean and fit, but he looked ill. It just wasn't the Stephen Boyd of old. Was he ill here? Who knows. I know he died a short time later. For my money, I'd rather remember the handsome, talented, and likable Boyd in his prime. So, instead of sitting through the squeeze, I'd rather see Stephen Boyd in The Best of Everything, Ben Hur, Island in the Sun, and the Oscar.

Stacey Keach does a good job as a washed-up, ex-scotland, yard detective. He's an alcoholic bum who has few graces. The film is devoid of glamour, from the grimey wallpaper to the low-life characters - it's like it is. But the film appears to suffer from some really bad editing. The story line flies from deep to shallow, and ends abruptly with a ridiculous finale which made me feel disappointed that I stayed up so late to watch it! Still, I think it was worth the vigil. The performances, by Keach, Freddy Starr, Edward Fox and the villains made it watchable.

The British 1976 crime drama, an early work of director Michael Apted ("Gorky Park", "Blink", "The World Is Not Enough") Stacey Keach plays an alcohol-addicted London ex-cop who becomes involved into a kidnapping drama and tries to free the daughter of a friend from a brutal gangster mob.Stacey Keach's performance is brilliant, and Michael Apted is not only focussing on the thrilling crime plot but also on the portrait of a self-destroying loser nature and alcoholic. The rest of the cast is also outstanding, featuring Edward Fox as despaired father of the kidnapped daughter and David Hemmings as brutal gangster boss. There are some scenes of typical seventies' sex, hard violence and breath-taking action like a money transporter robbery at the end. David Hentschel's electronic progressive rock score in the style of Goblin, Pink Floyd and Alan Parsons Project supports the dark atmosphere and hard action of this thrilling and sometimes disturbing crime drama. A great, little forgotten movie.

Early film from Michael Apted (2000 Bond film, The world is not enough, 7up series for TV, etc.) Stacey Keach gives a wonderfully seedy performance playing against type as an English, alcoholic ex-policeman searching for a kidnapped child. Watch out for English comic Freddie Starr in a straight role as Keach's friend and saviour. Filmed in London during the heatwave summer of 1976, most people of my age who were children at the time would remember London like this. The film uses great locations- The Thames, the Underground, tatty 1970s pubs, etc. The opening scene in the Underground station and the climax of the film are particularly good. Keach plays the seemingly hopeless alcoholic with great dignity. The film has a slick pace, an atmospheric twangy 1970s soundtrack, great action scenes and a familiar cast. It may be hard to find this film, it is often tucked away on TV in the middle of the night for some reason, but I would recommend it to all crime/gangster film fans.