Murderous, sadistic London gang leader Vic Dakin, a mother-obsessed homosexual modeled on real-life gangster Ronnie Kray, is worried about potential stool pigeons that may bring down his ... See full summary »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
Vic Dakin
...
...
Bob Matthews
...
Gerald Draycott
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Venetia
...
Frank Fletcher
...
Edgar Lowis
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Mrs. Dakin
Elizabeth Knight ...
Patti
...
Tom Binney
Tony Selby ...
Duncan
...
Terry
Del Henney ...
Webb
Ben Howard ...
Henry
...
Brown
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Storyline

Murderous, sadistic London gang leader Vic Dakin, a mother-obsessed homosexual modeled on real-life gangster Ronnie Kray, is worried about potential stool pigeons that may bring down his criminal empire. The brutal Vic cuts the throat of one bloke who has been a little too loose-lipped, afraid that his gossiping may turn into a grand operatic performance for the coppers. Vic, who enjoys playing at rough trade with his sidekick Wolfe, plans a payroll robbery and directs the blackmailing of Members of Parliament with a taste for unorthodox sex. Scotland Yard Police Inspector Matthews, playing Javert to Vic's Jean Valjean, is moving in on him and the gang. Gang-member Edgar is hospitalized for an ulcer, and Inspector Matthews might be able to make him sing. Will Edgar spill the beans to the coppers before Vic can silence him? Written by Jon C. Hopwood

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Taglines:

You are looking at the face of a Villain. See more »

Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Parents Guide:

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Details

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Release Date:

19 September 1971 (UK)  »

Also Known As:

Burden of Proof  »

Company Credits

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Technical Specs

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Sound Mix:

Color:

(Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Richard Burton's younger brother Graham Jenkins said he felt this film made it appear as though Burton was desperate for parts. See more »

Goofs

The flowers on the hearse move from being on top of the car to the ground, as too, the position of the two policemen are not the same. See more »

Quotes

Bob Matthews: What about Thompson?
Detective Constable: He's still on the critical list.
Bob Matthews: Oh he'll live - just. But he'll live.
Tom Binney: Would Dakin be there himself?
Bob Matthews: *Be* there himself? He'd have *done* it himself. He'd have enjoyed it. He doesn't give a monkeys. Helps him to relax. D'you know what he does on a Sunday, Tom? If it's fine, he takes his mum down to Brighton. Walks round the seafront, up to the pier, buys a plate of whelks. Then drives home at thirty miles an hour so she doesn't get hiccups.
Tom Binney: Well, he can't be *all* bad, then...
See more »

Connections

Version of Sitting Target (1972) See more »

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User Reviews

Solidly acted gangster movie.
1 July 2002 | by (Australia) – See all my reviews

I saw this movie about 15 years ago, so it is somewhat hazy now. But I remember it had a cast of solid British character actors. It also possessed an aura of menace and creulty that went from Vic Dakin down through the rest of the cast. The dialogue was tough and believable, as was the violence. The Dakin character was obviously based on Ronnie Kray, but so what, the Krays were topical at the time.

I enjoyed this film. It certainly stands up against the drek of today. I am sick and tired of violence and gangster's being treated with clever and stylistic humour.


7 of 10 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

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