Lean slice of well-crafted slime, and an impressive debut from director Mike Hodges who'd impressed British television viewers with his earlier work for the BBC.
Jack Carter (Michael Caine) is a smalltime hood from London who arrives in Newcastle to arrange his brother's funeral. While preparing for the burial, he becomes obsessed with learning who murdered his sibling and why. Seeking out his brother's friends and acquaintances, Carter tries to question
them, but finds a wall of stony silence. Operating on a hunch, he follows a pennyante hood (Ian Hendry) to local crime lord Cyril Kinnear's (John Osborne) home and is surprised to find himself more than welcome....
Released:
1971
Rated:
R
Length:
111 mins