Hell Drivers (1957)

User Rating:

6.9/10   

Director:

Cy Endfield

Writers:

John Kruse (screenplay) and
Cy Endfield (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

26 August 1957 (Sweden)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Roaring Down the World's Deadliest Roads!

Plot:

Ex-con trucker tries to expose his boss' rackets.

Plot Keywords:

Ex Convict | Truck

Awards:

Nominated for BAFTA Film Award.

Cast

Stanley Baker	...	Tom Yately
Herbert Lom	...	Gino Rossi
Peggy Cummins	...	Lucy, Hawlett Trucking Secretary
Patrick McGoohan	...	C. 'Red' Redman, Foreman (Truck 1)
William Hartnell	...	Cartley, Hawlett Manager
Wilfrid Lawson	...	Ed, Hawlett Mechanic
Sid James	...	Dusty, Truck Driver (as Sidney James)
Jill Ireland	...	Jill, Pull In Waitress
Alfie Bass	...	Tinker, Truck Driver
Gordon Jackson	...	Scottie
David McCallum	...	Jimmy Yately, Tom's brother
Sean Connery	...	Johnny Kates
Wensley Pithey	...	Pop, Truck 4 Driver
George Murcell	...	Tub, Truck Driver
Marjorie Rhodes	...	Ma West, Landlady

Also Known As:

Hard Drivers

Runtime:

108 min | USA:91 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Colour:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

Australia:PG | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | UK:A (original rating) | UK:PG (video rating) (2003) | USA:Approved

Filming Locations:

Blue Circle Cement Works - disused, Steyning Road, Upper Beeding, West Sussex, England, UK

Company:

Aqua Film Productions

Trivia:

Hawletts' Yard, contrary to some reports on the internet, was actually built on the Pinewood Studios back lot, just to the north of 'H' Stage. This is approximately where the massive '007' Stage stands today.

Goofs:

Continuity: Near the end of the film during the final chase, Tom's loaded truck is headed through the shortcut in the same direction that the drivers have taken to pick up a load (when the trucks are empty). He's going the wrong way.

Quotes:

[Ed is encouraging Tom to drive faster and faster along a single-track road]
Ed, Hawlett Mechanic: Don't ease up.
Tom Yately: Supposing we meet something.
Ed, Hawlett Mechanic: Supposing we don't. Look on the bright side.

Stout, taut, dark, star-studded neo-noir

I've seen this film twice. I'd like to see it again.

The look of the film-quality is that of many other British films around the same time period. It's dark and grainy (think "Frankenstein"). It makes for pleasant viewing, because of the tenseness provided the whole way.

The story is convoluted (and as someone else mentioned, where are the police?) and the film is sped up sometimes when they are driving, but you won't care - as the film is tense and there is a lot of action prevailing.

The film is loaded with stars-to-be. Sean Connery and Patrick McGoohan just to name two. Come on, you HAVE to watch this!

It seems the film is available in Region 2 on DVD, but it's not available in the US. Well it will be someday I hope.