An epitome of late 70s/80s domestic filmmaking, McVicar features a popular musician/actor as a real-life British criminal in a film that combines crime, prison drama, action, social realism and music. When seen today it’s a curious hybrid and a work of two halves. The first concerns McVicar’s incarceration, planning and escape from Durham prison; the second his re-entry to life on the outside with his former girlfriend and son and his eventual return to crime. The prison scenes are effective with strong supporting performances from Adam Faith and Steven Berkoff; on the outside, there are great cameos from Ian Hendry, Georgina Hale and Billy Murray. Produced by The Who Films, Daltry was a driving force behind the project and contributes a strong lead performance together with several music tracks which comprised a solo album for him. Based on McVicar by Himself (by John McVicar) it’s consistently involving, and director Tom Clegg helms the film with a calm economy and competence. It’s a fascinating object of its time and a quintessential wrap-up to our season of films celebrating this distinctive British sub-genre.
Out of circulation for decades and celebrating its 45th anniversary this year, Lost Reels is excited to screen McVicar from a vintage 16mm print courtesy of The Cinema Museum.
