Watch Bellman and True

Bellman and True is an intense crime thriller from 1987. The movie stars Bernard Hill as Hiller, a former computer expert who turned to a life of crime. Derek Newark plays Tronson, an old and experienced criminal who seeks out Hiller to execute a daring heist. Richard Hope stars as Turner, a gruff and suspicious former police officer who becomes embroiled in the robbery.

The movie opens with Hiller, a single father, struggling to make ends meet. He is offered a job by Tronson, a former colleague who he has not seen in years. Tronson needs Hiller's expertise to help him break into a London bank's computer system. The goal is to gain access to the bank's valuables and steal them. Hiller initially refuses, but Tronson makes an offer he cannot refuse, a job that could provide Hiller with the financial security he needs to take care of his son.

The preparation for the heist begins, and Hiller explains the complicated plan to Tronson and his team. The first half of the movie is devoted to the preparation for the heist, showing the skill and craft that goes into planning such a crime. Hiller is shown to be expertly knowledgeable of the bank's computer systems, but the heist team quickly realize that the bank is more secure than they thought.

What follows is a tense and gripping tale of the mechanics of the heist, with each member of the team playing their part to perfection. However, the group's meticulous planning is threatened when Turner, a suspicious ex-cop, follows them and attempts to foil their plans.

Bernard Hill gives an excellent performance as Hiller, a man teetering on the brink of desperation. For Hiller, this heist is the only way he can think of to provide for his son. Hiller is not a criminal by nature, but he is driven to make the heist work. His character is sympathetic, and the actors' performance is nuanced, adding depth to the character.

Derek Newark's performance as Tronson is another standout. He is the experienced criminal who knows what he wants, and he goes about getting it methodically. His portrayal of the charismatic, but ruthless criminal is top-notch. The character is smart and cunning, but in the end, his ambition may be his downfall.

Richard Hope's character, Turner, is the wild-card in the heist. He is the former police officer who injects a sense of paranoia into the group's plan. His performance is excellent, and he brings a sense of danger to the movie. As a former cop, Turner's methods are unorthodox, but he is determined to stop the heist, even if it means putting himself in danger.

The movie is directed by Richard Loncraine, and he does an excellent job of ratcheting up the tension throughout the heist. He expertly balances the various characters and their motivations, creating a sense of danger without turning the film into a typical action movie. The cinematography is also worth noting, with scenes of London at night adding to the overall mood of the film.

Overall, Bellman and True is a well-directed and acted film that manages to maintain tension throughout its runtime. While it may not have the star power of other crime-thrillers of its time, it is a little-known gem that deserves more recognition. The characters are well-acted and fleshed out, while the story is expertly crafted to hold the audience's attention from start to finish.