McVicar (1980) User Reviews

Freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee me!

[hitchcockthelegend · 8/10 · 23 September 2008]

Can't you hear that's what I say.

John McVicar is a tough uncompromising armed robber, after being sent to a maximum security prison for 23 years he dreams of escaping every day. As his reputation grows and friendships are formed, it would appear that his friend Wally Probyn may have figured a way out of this tough rigid prison.

In 1979 America had The Warriors and The Wanderers, at pretty much the same time us British had Quadrophenia and McVicar to hold dear to our hearts, both films produced out of The Who Films Ltd, both films eminently quotable to a certain age group that were of the teenage persuasion. I love McVicar, I really do, based on the true life story of McVicar, well from his own accounts written in his book, "McVicar by Himself", the film boasts a Who soundtrack and a script that positively sparkles with wit and anger speak. Yes the charges of the film making hardened criminals seem likable characters is a fair one, but not only does the film show the disgust (and rightly outright hatred) for sex offenders, it also showcases just what a hard job the prison officers have, this is something that many of the user comment writers on line have failed to acknowledge.

Roger Daltrey takes on the role of McVicar and dons a career best, gruff, perfectly in shape and a wide boy arrogance that comes off as gold dust in this particular piece. Backing him up is wonderful turns from Brian Hall (comic gold), Steven Berkoff (clearly enjoying himself), Matthew Scurfield (frighteningly unnerving) and Peter Jonfield. Once the escape happens the film switches in tone as McVicar tries to make some sense of his life, it's an emotional switch that tones the film down but never the less takes us successfully to the highly accomplished finale. We are then left with a wonderful quote from John McVicar himself and we are told just what this tough as nails armed robber actually did with himself from that point on.

Perhaps it's because I was a teenager when the film came out, that I love it so much? Or maybe the script just appeals to me on a very primal level? Either way I'm always going to be a fan of it, and McVicar remains to me, along with Quadrophenia and Scum, British standards to revisit every single year.

I don't care how late it is I'm not going home 8/10

Hard-as-nails prison drama

[Leofwine_draca · 7/10 · 28 October 2011]

I'm a big fan of prison dramas and for some reason the ones made around this era seem to be the best in terms of quality: they're usually the most down-to-earth and realistic, and often hard-hitting with it. MCVICAR is a film with a lot of baggage attending – not only is it a true story, it stars one of Britain's biggest music stars, Roger Daltrey, in the titular role. Could it live up to expectations?

I think so. In essence, this is the British answer to Eastwood's ESCAPE FROM ALCATRAZ – a story of one man's journey to escape the mundane nature of prison life. Yes, there are the expected clichés and yes, the last act of the film is far less interesting and suspenseful than what's come before, but for the most part MCVICAR is a film that does the business. Director Tom Clegg, later a mainstay of television with the SHARPE movies, does an excellent job and I think this is the highlight of his resume. It's a taut, compelling and funny crime film.

Great cast, too: Daltrey is decent as McVicar, playing up the hard-man persona with plenty of guts; Adam Faith is solid as the good-guy prisoner with plans of freedom. I also enjoyed Billy Murray as McVicar's buddy on the outside, the brief cameo from an incredibly haggard-looking Ian Hendry, and Steven Berkoff as another inherently sinister type. Okay, it doesn't really offer anything you haven't seen before, but that doesn't stop MCVICAR from being a highly entertaining movie.

A lot to like

[JohnSeal · 7/10 · 27 March 2006]

Roger Daltrey is remarkable as arch-criminal John McVicar in this completely satisfying and riveting crime drama from TV director Tom Clegg (The Sweeney). Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of his performance is his ability from the get go to make you completely forget that you're watching a bonafide rock star in the lead role. Daltrey portrays the character as a cross between a London wide boy and a sharp dressed mod--check out the hounds-tooth check jacket he wears after his escape--and though I don't know much about the real life McVicar, Roger's portrayal is thoroughly convincing. Even the presence of a handful of lung-shredding Who-style numbers layered somewhat awkwardly atop the action can't distract from Daltrey's remarkable on screen presence. The film also benefits from an utterly charming performance by Adam Faith, and though the story is fairly predictable, it's never less than interesting and enjoyable. One of the best British crime films--ever.

Decent, watchable - but one major problem.

[tohu · 22 October 2006]

OK. Decent enough film. 'Rock star tries his hand at acting' is so often a recipe for disaster, but Roger Daltrey is convincing here. And he has good support from the rest of the cast and the director. It is a low budget effort, and as such deserves credit for ending up as a very watchable piece of cinema.

I have one major problem with it though. And that is the way most of the convicts are seen as basically decent salt-of-the-earth blokes, while all figures of authority are seen as the harsh, unsympathetic enemy. This is especially so in the first half of the film, when we are expected to sympathise automatically with the prisoners (most of whom are seen as extremely likable chirpy cockneys doing their best against the unfair adversity of being in the nick) against the guards (all very unsympathetically played as tyrants or halfwits).

I'm not a strict moralist. And I don't believe that all people in prison are monsters. But if you watch the film you will see what I mean. There is a subtle balance required in presenting the human side of an armed robber, or even a petty thief, in a film. It can be done, and done well. But here all we get is a lazy 'it's us lovable villains versus them lot' mentality. And what is annoying is that this is 'beneath' the makers of the film. I think they were talented enough to be able to write and play more rounded characters and get a similar message across in a more authentic way.

Anyway: that's my main problem with McVicar. Watch it and see if you agree. It is not a bad film - I've given it a 6, which seems to accord with the IMDb opinion. If anything, it is worth seeing for the curiosity value of Daltrey's decent performance.

One of the finest of the genre

[Rozzi1 · 9/10 · 16 September 2015]

In the late 1960s, career criminal John McVicar, is serving a 23 year prison sentence – he'd robbed a bank and fired at Police officers during his getaway (shooting the siren-light from the top of the police-car). Listed as a dangerous criminal who would not hesitate to kill, after attempting a prison-break at HMP Chelmsford, he is transferred from the South of England to the maximum security wing of HMP Durham, in the far North of the country. Housed in the jail are the cream of London's underworld; top ranking gangsters (such as Charlie Richardson, named Ronnie Harrison in the film), bank-robbers and various high-profile criminals – not least to mention several murderers and child-killers, the latter with whom the rest of the convicts are in complete disgust and who are ostracised.

In a perpetual state of conflict against the screws and the system, the convicts stage a revolt and take-over the prison wing until their demands for a less-regimented regime is imposed – that is, a more relaxed rule book on the wing as it accommodates prisoners serving life terms. As the dust settles in the aftermath of the riot, and after having served their subsequent punishments for the take-over, the convicts' demands are more or less met and the wing – whilst still under maximum security – is transformed into a place where the cons can weight-train freely and have extended socialisation periods. With only seven convicts on the wing – the others having been transferred to other jails after the riot – and the wing being isolated from the rest of HMP Durham (effectively a prison within a prison), John and fellow convict Wally Probyn plan a daring and meticulous break-out with the assistance of the rest of the inmates.

Painstakingly constructing a tunnel, under the noses of the screws, leading below the shower-room, eventually into the basement of an adjacent wing, then out into a yard and finally up onto the prison's roof - John and Wally made history with the UK's most infamous prison-break of all time. Negotiating barbed-wire and prison walls as they run for their lives chased by screws with dogs, Wally is captured but John escapes.

With a massive Police man-hunt bearing down on him, John manages to evade his hunters in a nighttime cross-country 'escape sequence' which will have viewers on edge of their seats. Making it back down to London with the help of two associates who drive-up North to collect him, he is reunited with his family and has to adapt to a life on the run as the country's most wanted man. Hidding out in the big city with plans to flee abroad John is in need of money and promptly reverts to his trade of armed-robbery with the old gang.

Among many powerful moments, "McVicar" contains one of the finest ever bank robberies committed to celluloid by a British production and arguably one of the coolest opening title-sequences, with accompanying soundtrack by The Who. The film is riddled with four-letter words and aggressive overtones, but it is remarkably nonviolent. The violence, when it comes, is staged maturely and realistically and is always within context. The environment of the film is certainly a tough, macho one, but "McVicar" is a grown-up film which works on many levels – notably the relationship with his wife and child, and the contrast between his friendships with fellow convicts in jail and with his criminal associates on the outside. It's a pity that contemporary British crime dramas no-longer live up to the fine standards of films like this. "McVicar" combines a real story, with genuine high-energy drama, excellent screenplay, strong performances, and it doesn't rely on comedic-caricatures, unnecessary violence or unbelievable sub-plots.

"Let us now praise violent men"Take a reality check instead.

[ianlouisiana · 4/10 · 10 June 2006]

I completely fail to understand the fascination for ruthless violent and predatory professional criminals.Mr McVicar and his friend Mr Probyn were capable of causing serious harm to anyone who was foolish enough to attempt to prevent them stealing.That's what they did,basically - they were thieves,bullies with guns.If you had something they wanted then they'd take it. The rest of us,trying to earn an honest living,well,we're mugs.John and Wally....diamond geezers.Top blokes.Two of the "Chaps" Mr Probyn - "Angel Face" to the Press,had an appalling record of violence starting as a very young man.In some perverse fashion this brought him kudos from his peers until he was convicted of paedophile crimes and he suddenly became not quite the diamond geezer after all,but a nonce. Sic Transit Gloria Mundi. No such disapprobation for Mr McVicar who,rather like the IRA,renounced violence.A Social Worker's wet dream,he took a degree and became an expert on aberrant behaviour,prison life,police malfeasance and the criminal justice system in general.Wherever his road to Damascus occurred it certainly wasn't within the period covered by "McVicar". Mr Roger Daltrey and the late Mr Adam Faith play Mr McVicar and Mr Probyn respectively,making them about as frightening as the Teletubbies. They hate coppers,they hate screws,and most of all,they hate nonces,which was just a tad hypocritical from Mr Probyn's point of view you might think. With all this hate going on it's no wonder our two heroes want to get out of prison,also there's not a lot they can nick in there and their life skills might get rusty. There is nothing in "McVicar" that persuades me to take it seriously. The performances aren't bad,they're just completely without a sense of menace.Mr Berkoff and Mr Winston can do menace,Mr Daltrey and Mr Faith can't.They couldn't rule a prison,for heaven's sake they couldn't rule Peter Pan's Playground.Sir Noel Coward as Mr Bridges in "The Italian Job" was more convincing. Without a constant underlying threat of violence from the two leads the whole house of cards collapses. Mr McVicar and Mr Probyn become just another couple of cheery cockney cons,and you can be absolutely certain that wasn't the case. If you yearn for the days when Ron and Reg ran the East End from Fort Vallance and you could leave your front door unlocked and they never hurt nobody wot didn't ask for it you may well enjoy "McVicar". But I think you should take a reality check....just in case.

classic

[proppacool · 10/10 · 3 April 2021]

Great film, great soundtrack, Daltry is awesome! They dont make them like this anymore.

Wally Probyn

[lottiescates · 1/10 · 16 October 2008]

I do not see peoples strange fixation with this film. Are people not aware of what an evil sick child molester that Wally Probyn is? I was one of these man victims, he repeatedly raped me for four years from the age of 7. He also used to take indecent photographs of his victims for his sick pleasure. I got to know what a conniving cowardly man Wally Probyn was and he certainly does not deserve god like status. Wally Probyn was convicted at The Central Criminal Court (Old Bailey) he received a 4 year sentence for abusing his step daughter, I was a supporting witness, but I was put through weeks of police interviews, taken to places where he had abused me and had to look through 1000's of indecent photographs this man had taken of other poor young children some were severely mentally disabled. This will haunt me forever. Every time this film comes on to TV I feel sick, he had a long history of paedophilia back from when he raped his own 3 year old sister.

I was ten when I first watched this film, and it remains one of my favorites

[ldearden · 7 November 2001]

An absolute classic, with Daltrey portraying McVicar to a T. One of the best British gangster flicks, that will undoubtedly have taught Guy Ritchie a thing or two. Directed in such a way that the viewers sympathy lies unequivocally with the criminal, it relates a message without being pious. Very refreshing.

excellent

[a-lawrence123 · 10/10 · 5 February 2011]

This movie is a family favourite as the youngest of four and the only girl my brothers introduced me to this film as they new about my THING for Mr Daltrey !!! My brothers and I have watched this film together on many occasions and I have watched it without them and am sure they have done the same. Mr Daltrey is topclass in the movie, the soundtrack so good i downloaded to my mp3 player. Years ago one of my brothers had a car crash and was in a coma for 3 weeks, we were asked to bring in a stereo headphone with his favourite music for him to listen to while he was in a coma (" they say they can still hear"). THis soundtrack was one of the first we played to him as he liked the music and film. Please listen to the soundtrack as you can still picture the film along with the songs. 10 out of 10 great film .

A Misfiring Biopic

[Theo Robertson · 5/10 · 5 August 2005]

A way back in the early 1980s word of mouth was spreading about a great and violent Brit flick ( In those days things were really grim for British film making unlike the late 1990s ) called MCVICAR the true story of armed robber John McVicar who was branded Britain's public enemy number one . I eventually got to see it on video in 1983 and was thoroughly disappointed by it

Some people may say that if there's any failings it's down to a rock star being cast ( I'll come to that in a moment ) but for me it's the story that's at fault or more specifically the way the story is told . John McVicar faces many years in prison and plans his escape . So in effect the audience are not watching a biopic of Britain's most feared criminal , we're watching a film not entirely different from COLDITZ or ESCAPE FROM ALCATRAZ . In fact this was produced round about the same time as the Eastwood star vehicle and I can't help thinking this had much to do with it being produced . Tellingly MCVICAR has three producers and three executive producers and one can't help thinking too many cooks have spoiled this prison broth . That's the problem too much prison and not enough meat in the broth

As for Roger Daltry's performance I know some people who think he absolutely ruined the movie but if memory serves me right ( I haven't seen this movie for several years ) while not exactly being an Oscar worthy performance I don't think he's as bad as some people claim . If I have a problem it's just that he comes across as over emphatic when he's nasty and can only really be described as poor when after having a tantrum in the hall picks up an orange and tries to act all cool . Is there anything more unconvincing than a man getting cool with an orange ?

The one other thing I remember after first viewing is how this managed to get a X certificate ( It's an old version of the 18 cert ) from the British Board Of Classifiers . No one is killed , there's no explicit sex though there is a lot of bad language . I guess that's because it deals with a real life British criminal and no one wants to be seen glorifying crime . John McVicar is still alive today and makes frequent television appearances . He's certainly comes across as friendly old gentlemen who's very much of the old school type of criminal , that is he had strict codes of not hurting women and kids and not turning stool pigeon . In days like these where the British legal establishment seems more interested in the rights of paedophiles and terrorists more than the rights of their victims you really do find yourself forgiving the sins of an armed robber very quickly

Great British Prison True Movie !!!

[rocktronross · 10/10 · 7 April 2021]

Very watchable and enjoyable prison-break movie... the actual breaking out scene is heightened by very fitting music.. believable characters .. well worth a watch !!!

World's smallest prison

[ArtVandelayImporterExporter · 4/10 · 18 August 2023]

John McVicar is sentenced to 23 years for robbery. He finds himself in a prison with, um, about a dozen other jolly convicts.

The prisoners are more or less harmless purveyors of C0ckney rhyming slang. When they aren't planning a breakout, I suppose.

The guards are humorless authoritarians who get their kicks enforcing petty rules such as proper prison footware.

It all plays so small and petty that if I didn't know better I'd say it was originally a stage play.

On the other hand, it's not exactly a family film, either. When they break into the warden's office and start reading Wally Probyn's trial transcript it is very, very mature content. That scene alone would be enough to get the film an X rating, no question.

Roger Daltrey does alright in the lead role, for a singer. But to be honest I liked the album a lot better than the movie.

Superbad (bad meaning good that is)

[wbr204-2 · 16 February 2001]

This one ranks up there with "Get Carter" (1971) and "the Long Good Friday" (1980) as one of the greatest UK gangster flix of all time. Roger Daltry is excellent in the title role, kind of like an English Papillon, except he's not innocent! The soundtrack's average but it does contain one truly funky, synthesizer-heavy instrumental ("Escape (part one)") that helps the action flow along better. Plus Daltry wears quite possibly the coolest pair of on-screen Adidas since Bruce Lee's in "Game of Death" (1978) The only thing missing is Keith Moon as a maniac convict but you don't have to like the Who to dig this one. I mean as McVicar himself says, "Being a thief is a terrific life. But the trouble is they put you in jail for it." Nuff said.

True stroy of working class man who goes to jail.

[Scurfield · 10/10 · 2 November 1998]

An excellent movie which features Roger Daltry in the title role. Watch for the wonderful performance by Matthew Scurfield as "Streaky Jeffries'.

Glorification of the Criminal

[philiposlatinakis · 5/10 · 27 September 2020]

This is a very watchable and enjoyable film, which is a shame, because it shouldn't be. It's a case of the criminals as heroes and the law as villains. First of all we are asked to identify with McVicar and chums, then we are presented with that "one last job" and then finally we have some writing at the end to indicate he changed his ways; just a little fig leaf of an inscription after two hours of movie time. Let's just say that maybe the film-makers erred in a similar way to Scorsese with Goodfellas. Let's say they didn't mean to glorify gangsters, but they just made some wrong creative decisions. That's fair isn't it?

Intriguing and well-acted

[michellemurmurs6244 · 10/10 · 12 August 2005]

In the mid seventies Roger Daltrey read ex-bank robber John McVicar's autobiography and realized how similar their life situations could have been if he hadn't chosen to become a singer with The Who. He decided to buy the rights to the book and have movie made about McVicar's life in prison and his escape and life as a wanted fugitive. It was only right that Daltrey himself should play McVicar. He does an incredibly impressive job too. Looking and acting like the tough belligerent convict who is determined to break out of a maximum security prison. He succeeds with the help of a fellow inmate played by Adam Faith. Once on the outside he goes back to see his common law wife and young son. After he decides life spent constantly looking over his shoulder is not for him he pulls one more bank heist in order to afford to move out of the country with his family. Unfortunately it doesn't quite turn out as he planned. Recommended.

Roger Daltrey's most successful film role

[drj-12 · 16 July 2000]

A gripping portrayal of a seasoned villain's desire to escape from prison and start a new life. Roger Daltrey succeeds in making John McVicar appear to be a decent family man despite his hard-man antics. Adam Faith is excellent as Walter, McVicar's colleague in prison. Again, he is portrayed to be a cheeky Cockney geezer, immensely likeable.

From the outset, the prison guards are given no sympathy, they are brutal,unfair and dim-witted. Daltrey's vocals are used extensively to colour the film and the viewer is left in no doubt as to the director's sympathies. John McVicar is now a respected writer and broadcaster.

Ace Classic!

[vengeance20 · 9/10 · 15 April 2023]

Saw this film when I wasn't meant to on VHS when I was a kid, then years on saw it on DVD with my Dad & loved it. Having recently seen it last night for the first time in years, it still stands as a classic.

The film sees John McVicar a London Bad Boy who was an armed bank robber & was Britain's "Public Enemy No. 1". Incarcerated into a high security prison McVicar finds himself rebelling against the system & plans to escape with mate. But will he escape & be free or will his freedom be short-lived. Based on a true story, this film McVicar, tells the story of John McVicar & his criminal exploits & eventual rehabilitation.

I found the film to be pretty great. It's classic, gritty, to the point & entertaining. At 1 hour & 45 minutes, we see Roger Daltrey Portray the life of the notorious London Criminal himself & doing a pretty ace job of it too. The pacing is good & the film has a well informed story which is split into 2 half's. 1 half being his time in prison for the first hour or so, then the latter half being his time out of prison until his re-arrest.

There's some laughs & jokes to be had on screen with the prisoners along with some great banter between them. The film is more drama/character orientated & while there's some action to be had here & there, it's not a bad thing at all as it's not that type of a film. The other male inmates are great as with the actors portraying them along with Roger Daltrey's Character. The films ending is bitter sweet but other than that it's good.

Overall, it's a 1980's classic crime drama film which really captures the gritty feel of prison life & crime in England back in the 80's. Roger Daltrey portray's John McVicar well & the other actors, inmates & police etc also do well with their parts. There's some humour & banter to be had in this film which makes it great & entertaining. At 105 minutes, it's a well paced film with a well informed story. While it's more drama & crime orientated, it has some action here & there along with a well laid out story split into 2 half's & a bitter sweet ending. This is a classic you won't want to miss.

9/10.

Top Ten British Movie

[ianbroudie2001 · 20 June 2003]

First rate prison thriller with exceptionally good lead performances by Daltrey and Adam Faith (charming).

Great use of music, get the soundtrack if you are a Who fan

Often not spoken about as one of the best British movies made when it should be.

Parable with rock soundtrack

[Alonso0440 · 2 July 2004]

McVicar is the kind of movie that founds in criminal lifestyle a way to communicate its moral intend. The plot is quite typical because the intention is to show that, no matter how exciting or bizarre been an outlaw is, the criminal never succeeds. Based on a true story, the most interesting parts of the movie are the escape of McVicar from High Security Prison while a rock piece sounds on the back, and the assault of the bank, brief but consistent. The soundtrack is good, with a certain Who sound in big part of it and Daltrey's performance is really surprising, considering that he doesn't overact at all. But the whole movie doesn't look like a superb production, it's pretty much the same in this type of movie: a crime life that traps the leading character till the end, waiting always for a possible redemption that-at least not in this case-never comes. Although the movie is not boring either, is a well told story, nothing less, nothing more.

Solid British crime drama

[searchanddestroy-1 · 21 April 2024]

I nearly forgot this tremendous crime film from UK. It was made in the early eighties, the same year as LONG GOOD FRIDAY, also a terrific gem. This one was made by Tom Clegg a future prolific British director, and starred by a non actor - such a shame for the movie business, because Roger Daltrey is far far above being convincing in the lead role. He could have made many other films of this kind. The prison sequences, in the first part, are however a bit lame, the inmates picture a bit too smooth. I expected something tougher, compared to the rest of the film. I think it was too cliché, too easy described. Excellent film however.