John McVicar was a London Bad Boy. he graduated to armed bank robbery and was Britain's "Public Enemy No. 1". He was captured and put into a high security prison. Will even the highest security prison be able to hold him ? This is the true story of his life, his criminal exploits and his eventual rehabilitation.



viewer's comments;



- A career standout for Roger Daltrey. WARNING: SOME SPOILERS!!

The concept of pop star as actor is frowned upon and indeed, with the failure of GIGLI and SWEPT AWAY, it is a concept that will ocntinue to be embraced by film fans who won't allow cinema to be undermined by people who think they have more talent than they can spare.

Still, there are exceptions to the rule and one of the best is MCVICAR (1979), a masterwork of British cinema and tailor-made for Roger Daltrey who, although he has no physical resemblance to the notorious criminal and 'Public Enemy Number 1' John McVicar, invests all his emotional and physical attributes into a cracking performance which electrifies the screen. Thanks also to the sterling direction of Tom Clegg, who brought a real sense of realism to the film thanks to his background of directing TV episodes of THE SWEENEY and a first rate supporting cast (The late Adam Faith, Steven Berkoff, Cheryl Campbell), MCVICAR is well worth a look.

As with the best prison films, which paint a balance of cell life with none of the cuteness that occasionally occured with shows like PORRIDGE, although the representation of prison life was reasonable, there are no punches pulled. A disheartening rebellion at one point by the prisoners is well staged, as well as the incredible escape by McVicar and Wally to the tones of Jeff Wayne's orchestra score (he didn't just do WAR OF THE WORLDS, you know!)

Worth seeking out in any video library in the world.



- Parable with rock soundtrack

McVicar is the kind of movie that founds in criminal lifestyle a way to communicate its moral intend. The plot is quite typical because the intention is to show that, no matter how exciting or bizarre been an outlaw is, the criminal never succeeds. Based on a true story, the most interesting parts of the movie are the escape of McVicar from High Security Prison while a rock piece sounds on the back, and the assault of the bank, brief but consistent. The soundtrack is good, with a certain Who sound in big part of it and Daltrey's performance is really surprising, considering that he doesn't overact at all. But the whole movie doesn't look like a superb production, it's pretty much the same in this type of movie: a crime life that traps the leading character till the end, waiting always for a possible redemption that-at least not in this case-never comes. Although the movie is not boring either, is a well told story, nothing less, nothing more.



- Top Ten British Movie

First rate prison thriller with exceptionally good lead performances by Daltrey and Adam Faith (charming).

Great use of music, get the soundtrack if you are a Who fan

Often not spoken about as one of the best British movies made when it should be.



- I was ten when I first watched this film, and it remains one of my favorites

An absolute classic, with Daltrey portraying McVicar to a T. One of the best British gangster flicks, that will undoubtedly have taught Guy Ritchie a thing or two. Directed in such a way that the viewers sympathy lies unequivocally with the criminal, it relates a message without being pious. Very refreshing.



- Superbad (bad meaning good that is)

This one ranks up there with "Get Carter" (1971) and "the Long Good Friday" (1980) as one of the greatest UK gangster flix of all time. Roger Daltry is excellent in the title role, kind of like an English Papillon, except he's not innocent! The soundtrack's average but it does contain one truly funky, synthesizer-heavy instrumental ("Escape (part one)") that helps the action flow along better. Plus Daltry wears quite possibly the coolest pair of on-screen Adidas since Bruce Lee's in "Game of Death" (1978) The only thing missing is Keith Moon as a maniac convict but you don't have to like the Who to dig this one. I mean as McVicar himself says, "Being a thief is a terrific life. But the trouble is they put you in jail for it." Nuff said.



- Roger Daltrey's most successful film role

A gripping portrayal of a seasoned villain's desire to escape from prison and start a new life. Roger Daltrey succeeds in making John McVicar appear to be a decent family man despite his hard-man antics. Adam Faith is excellent as Walter, McVicar's colleague in prison. Again, he is portrayed to be a cheeky Cockney geezer, immensely likeable.

From the outset, the prison guards are given no sympathy, they are brutal,unfair and dim-witted. Daltrey's vocals are used extensively to colour the film and the viewer is left in no doubt as to the director's sympathies. John McVicar is now a respected writer and broadcaster.



- True stroy of working class man who goes to jail.

An excellent movie which features Roger Daltry in the title role. Watch for the wonderful performance by Matthew Scurfield as "Streaky Jeffries'.



Directed by
Tom Clegg

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Tom Clegg
John McVicar book McVicar by Himself

Cast (in credits order) complete, awaiting verification
Roger Daltrey .... John McVicar
Adam Faith .... Walter Probyn
Cheryl Campbell .... Sheila McVicar
Billy Murray .... Joey Davis
Georgina Hale .... Kate
Steven Berkoff .... Ronnie Harrison
Brian Hall .... Terry Stokes
Peter Jonfield .... Bobby Harris
Matthew Scurfield .... Streaky Jeffries
Leonard Gregory .... Jimmy Collins
Joe Turner .... Panda
Jeremy Blake .... Ronnie Johnson
Terence Stuart .... Sid
Anthony Trent .... Tate
Michael Feast .... Cody
Ralph Watson .... Allen
Tony Haygarth .... Rabies
Tony Rohr .... Bootsie Hagan
Ronald Herdman .... Nobby
Richard Simpson .... Douglas
Ian Hendry .... Hitchens
rest of cast listed alphabetically
David Beames .... Policeman (uncredited)
Stephen Bent .... Warder (uncredited)
Charles Cork .... Warder (uncredited)
Harry Fielder .... Harry (uncredited)
Jamie Foreman .... Driver (uncredited)
Paul Kember .... Warder (uncredited)
Stanley Lloyd .... Magistrate (uncredited)
James Marcus .... Sewell (uncredited)
Anthony May .... Billy (uncredited)
Allan Mitchell .... Jackson (uncredited)
Ricky Parkinson .... Russell (uncredited)
John Rolfe .... Graham (uncredited)
Raymond Skipp .... Bimbo (uncredited)
Malcolm Terris .... Principal Officer (uncredited)
Malcolm Tierney .... Frank (uncredited)
Robert Walker .... Co-driver (uncredited)



Runtime: 90 min
Country: UK
Language: English
Color: Color (Eastmancolor)