Robbery (Blu-ray)

From Peter Yates, the legendary director of Bullitt, The Hot Rock and The Friends of Eddie Coyle – Inspired by true events, Robbery is an uncompromising portrayal of swinging London’s criminal underworld. Quintessentially British and with a documentary-style commitment towards accuracy, Robbery mixes meticulously constructed, high-octane action sequences (including one of the most nerve-shattering—and often replicated—car chases ever seen on film) with taut suspense and gritty realism, making it the groundbreaking template for future crime dramas such as The French Connection, The Long Good Friday and The Sweeney TV series and films. Starring Stanley Baker (Accident), Joanna Pettet (The Group), James Booth (Avenging Force), Frank Finlay (Shaft in Africa) and Barry Foster (Frenzy), Robbery is an entertaining and archetypal entry into the genre of British gangster movies.