The Hi-Jackers

Independent trucker Anthony Booth gives a lift to Jacqueline Ellis. Almost immediately, the truck is hit by some fellows who want the Johnny Walker he's carrying more than Booth does. They're led by Derek Francis, who learnedly lectures his crew on why they don't carry weapons - if someone dies accidentally, the police will have them for murder - and the tight fiscal leash he keeps his associates on - they'll spend it, and then the police will come around with hard-to-answer questions. No, he prefers to remain an ordinary, decent criminal, and live a long and pleasant life on the outside.

While Booth and Miss Ellis warily fall in together, Booth wonders how the criminals knew to hit him.... and that makes up the rest of this pleasant flick. It's nothing to win any critics' polls, but is a decent way to spend 66 minutes.

Yet another late night treat from ITV. Rather above the British second feature norm (no difficult task), it boasts a likeable lead performance from Anthony (father-in-law of Tony Blair) Booth, genuine location footage and a witty villain. Even Vauxhall police-cars make a change from the usual Wolseleys.

I wonder if the PM screens this epic at Downing Street functions?

Although a B movie made on a budget nevertheless it has a well structured plot and rattles along at a good pace. Rooted firmly in the early 1960's, eg before the M6 motorway was built, it has good period external shots and the interior pieces show what was then fashionable furniture, etc. The attitude to women is also evident. My only criticism would be some of the external lighting where the lighting cameraman clearly overdid it! Shame it's only in Black & White. A good selection of actors who seem to be taking their characterisations seriously. Note also the scene at the railway station where they possibly get in the wrong carriage door and some of the real passengers look at the camera wondering what is going on.

Strictly run-of-the-mill British crime yarn which exerts its own modest charm. Booth is actually quite charismatic and gets across the world weary nature of the long distance lorry driver. We get intriguing glimpses of the lay-bys and cafes these men exist in but it is never really dealt with is any depth. The same is true of the underworld; there are indications that operations are run by an intelligent middle class men who employ no hope working class men to carry things out. The gang includes one black member whose race is never mentioned. We get a sequence where the girl visits her ex-husband in jail and asks him for information, which he provides, perhaps showing there is no honour among thieves, although the gang seem pretty loyal to their boss. There are hints of a network of criminals and indications that crime among the haulage industry is rife. The film makes good use of its locations and the film only begins to sag when the narrative shifts to Booth's flat where the obligatory love interest takes place.

British B movie of its day, but for all that it was enjoyable. The action and acting was a bit wooden but a fresh faced Tony Booth puts in a good performance.

It was a bit tongue-in-cheek at times; Carters house name - Dunrobin.

Some familiar faces from 1960s/70 TV.