Strongroom, the oft-overlooked British thriller from 1962, has finally received its well-deserved re-release. This gripping, black-and-white suspense film masterfully weaves together elements of tension and drama to create an unforgettable viewing experience.
In a striking turn of events, three robbers – led by the cunning Griff (Derren Nesbitt) – orchestrate a daring heist at a suburban bank on its last day before the holiday weekend. With his dead father's uniform, Griff poses as a postman and gains access to the strongroom, locking up the unsuspecting manager Mr Spencer (Colin Gordon) and secretary Miss Taylor (Ann Lynn). The two are left to suffocate in the basement vault, while the robbers escape with the loot.
As the tension builds, so does the sense of unease. Griff's pseudo-conscience sets in, raising questions about their fate and potential consequences for their crime. Meanwhile, a subtle romance blossoms between Mr Spencer and Miss Taylor as they cling to life amidst the sweltering heat. The performances are robust and watchable, with Nesbitt bringing his signature swarthy charm to the lead role.
The film's expertly crafted 80-minute runtime delivers a couple of shocking twists, culminating in an unforgettable finale that will leave audiences gasping. Despite being classified as a B-movie, Strongroom is anything but weak – instead, it stands out as a testament to its talented cast and gripping storyline.
As critic Matthew Sweet astutely notes, the importance of these "support features" should not be underestimated, providing platforms for lesser-known talent to shine in otherwise formulaic genre films. With Strongroom's re-release, this gritty British thriller finally gets the recognition it deserves – a must-watch for fans of crime dramas and those seeking a compelling cinematic experience.
In a striking turn of events, three robbers – led by the cunning Griff (Derren Nesbitt) – orchestrate a daring heist at a suburban bank on its last day before the holiday weekend. With his dead father's uniform, Griff poses as a postman and gains access to the strongroom, locking up the unsuspecting manager Mr Spencer (Colin Gordon) and secretary Miss Taylor (Ann Lynn). The two are left to suffocate in the basement vault, while the robbers escape with the loot.
As the tension builds, so does the sense of unease. Griff's pseudo-conscience sets in, raising questions about their fate and potential consequences for their crime. Meanwhile, a subtle romance blossoms between Mr Spencer and Miss Taylor as they cling to life amidst the sweltering heat. The performances are robust and watchable, with Nesbitt bringing his signature swarthy charm to the lead role.
The film's expertly crafted 80-minute runtime delivers a couple of shocking twists, culminating in an unforgettable finale that will leave audiences gasping. Despite being classified as a B-movie, Strongroom is anything but weak – instead, it stands out as a testament to its talented cast and gripping storyline.
As critic Matthew Sweet astutely notes, the importance of these "support features" should not be underestimated, providing platforms for lesser-known talent to shine in otherwise formulaic genre films. With Strongroom's re-release, this gritty British thriller finally gets the recognition it deserves – a must-watch for fans of crime dramas and those seeking a compelling cinematic experience.
the twist at the end was totally unexpected, and the whole thing just kept me on the edge of my seat. i loved how the tension built up with Griff's character - that swarthy charm of his is still giving me vibes! 
anyway, i'm super stoked to see more "B-movies" like strongroom getting re-released... it's about time people recognized those hidden gems 
. and omg the ending?! i won't spoil it but let's just say it was SO unexpected 
. i love how the film doesn't make the robbers look like total monsters, they're more relatable that way. anyway, i'm so glad strongroom is getting some recognition – it definitely deserves it! 
just watched strongroom and i'm still reeling from that twist 
ann lynn's performance as miss taylor was amazing, she brought so much depth to her character 
I'm so hyped about Strongroom getting the love it deserves! It's like, you know when you're scrolling through Netflix and come across some old-school thriller that you've never seen before? And then you watch it and are just like "mind blown"?! 
That's what Strongroom is for me. I mean, who knew a B-movie from 1962 could still pack such a punch? The tension builds so slow, but in the best way, you know? It's like Griff's character is slowly unraveling, and you're just along for the ride. And that ending... WOW! 
i mean don't get me wrong, derren nesbitt is pretty cool as a postman-turned-robber but the whole thing feels like it's been done before. and yeah, some twists and all, but honestly, i'd rather watch paint dry than sit through this 80-minute slog 
I've seen it like 5 times already and I'm still obsessed with Griff's character 
Derren Nesbitt is such a talented actor, right?! 
And the romance between Mr Spencer and Miss Taylor is so sweet, I ship them hard 
Colin Gordon and Ann Lynn are amazing too! 
. Matthew Sweet said it best, those "support features" are what make Strongroom shine, and I'm here for it 
. and yeah, derren nesbitt is amazing in this role, he really brings depth to the character 
. don't @ me with the 'b-movie' tag, i think that's a total misjudgment...
! I mean, who wouldn't want to see a gripping black-and-white thriller from 1962? The tension in this film is like, wow, it's intense 
. And the performances? Robust, dude! Derren Nesbitt as Griff is straight fire 
. I love how the romance blossoms between Mr Spencer and Miss Taylor - it adds this extra layer of depth to the whole ordeal 
. The twists are so well-executed, and that finale? Mind-blowing 
. Colin Gordon's performance as Mr Spencer sounds so nuanced and human, and I can see why he'd be a standout in such a dramatic role 
. And yeah, Ann Lynn and Colin Gordon have great chemistry in that prison-esque basement – it’s like they’re trying to will each other to survival 
. I was on the edge of my seat during that final twist...I don’t want to give too much away, but let’s just say it’s a wild ride