Strongroom

A bank heist turns into a life-or-death race-against-time in Vernon Sewell’s gripping ‘B’ film thriller.

Introduced by James Bell, Senior Curator of Fiction, BFI National Archive

Unfortunately, Edgar Wright is no longer able to attend this screening.

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  • Director

    Vernon Sewell

  • With

    Colin Gordon, John Chappell, Ann Lynn, Derren Nesbitt

  • UK 1962. 80min

  • 35mm

  • Certificate

    PG

Taut as a drum, Vernon Sewell’s suspense thriller is an outstanding example of the lean British ‘B’ film. A carefully-planned heist on a suburban bank goes awry when the gang of three small-time criminals are interrupted by the unexpected arrival of two nattering cleaners. The gang lock the bank manager and his secretary in the airtight vault and make off with the cash. However, they soon realise that the pair will suffocate and the gang will face a murder rap if they can’t free them. With only 12 hours’ worth of air in the vault, the clock is ticking. Hailed by Tarantino, Scorsese and Edgar Wright, the film is a real rediscovery and premieres here on a brand new 35mm print created by the BFI National Archive.

James Bell