Watch Time Lock
- 1957
- 1 hr 10 min
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6.1 (589)
Time Lock is a 1957 British crime film noir directed by Gerald Thomas and starring Robert Beatty, Lee Patterson, and Betty McDowall. The film follows a gang of thieves as they plan and execute a daring robbery at a bank. They hope to steal a large sum of cash before the vault's time lock makes it impossible for them to escape. The film opens with a group of seven criminals planning a meticulously detailed bank heist. Led by John Exshaw (Robert Beatty), the group plans to manipulate the time lock on the vault so that they can make off with the money before it's impossible to get out. They assign various roles to each gang member, including a crooked police officer named Dawson (Vincent Winter), who can help them gain access to the bank's interior.
The heist itself goes according to plan, but a few unexpected twists and turns complicate matters for the gang. First, Dawson starts to get cold feet and becomes a liability to the group. Then, a young bank clerk named Lisa (Betty McDowall) shows up unexpectedly, and Exshaw takes her hostage to ensure their escape. During the getaway, they encounter a roadblock that causes their carefully laid plans to unravel. Soon, the police are on their tail, and the gang must elude them and make it to their safe house with the money.
Time Lock is a tense and suspenseful film that keeps the audience on edge from start to finish. The intricate planning and execution of the heist are impressive to watch, and the characters are well-drawn and believable. Robert Beatty delivers a standout performance as the gang leader, Exshaw, who is calculating and ruthless but also suave and charming. Lee Patterson also shines as the hot-tempered Brine, who clashes with Exshaw throughout the film.
The film's use of black and white cinematography adds to its noirish atmosphere, and the score by Stanley Black is appropriately moody and atmospheric. The action sequences, especially the car chase, are expertly staged and add to the film's excitement.
While the film relies heavily on genre conventions, it doesn't feel stale or formulaic. The characters are sympathetic enough that the audience becomes invested in their fate, even though they are criminals. The film also takes some unexpected turns that keep things interesting, and the tension is dialed up to eleven during the final act.
Overall, Time Lock is an entertaining crime film that will appeal to fans of the genre. Its expertly executed heist sequence and tense, character-driven plot make it a standout example of British noir.
Time Lock is a 1957 thriller with a runtime of 1 hour and 10 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1.