Watch Where's Jack?
- G
- 1969
- 2 hr
-
6.5 (192)
Where's Jack? is a British film from 1969, directed by James Clavell and starring Tommy Steele, Stanley Baker, and Alan Badel. The movie is based on the true story of the notorious 18th-century criminal Jack Sheppard. The film is set in London in the early 1700s and tells the story of Jack Sheppard, a young and charismatic thief who becomes a folk hero to the city's poor. Jack is a skilled lock-picker and burglar who manages to escape from prison several times, despite the best efforts of the authorities to keep him locked up.
The movie follows Jack as he rises from a penniless apprentice to a successful thief and eventually a notorious prison-breaker. Along the way, he is helped by a series of women who either love him or are in love with the idea of him as a rebellious anti-hero.
Tommy Steele portrays Jack with energy and charm, making him a likable protagonist despite his crimes. Stanley Baker plays Saul Bloom, a corrupt thief-taker who becomes obsessed with capturing Jack and bringing him to justice. Alan Badel is Jonathan Wild, a powerful gang leader who uses Jack's talents for his own gain.
The film is well-shot, with impressive location work and a strong sense of time and place. The costumes and production design are also top-notch, adding to the authenticity of the period setting.
Where's Jack? is a lively and entertaining film that captures the anarchic spirit of its source material. It's a swashbuckling adventure story with a charismatic leading man and a colorful array of supporting characters. It also has a sense of social commentary, highlighting the gap between rich and poor in 18th-century London and the corruption at the heart of the justice system.
Overall, Where's Jack? is a fun and engaging movie that will appeal to fans of historical dramas and action-adventures. It's an overlooked gem from the late-60s British cinema that deserves to be rediscovered by a new audience.