The Cracksman [DVD]

I liked this it very entertaining nothing wrong

In common with many movies from the forsaken ABPC / Associated British Picture Corporation, this has taken decades to be given a new lease of life, in this case a beautiful Cinemascope 2.35:1 print in rich colours. By far Charlie Drake's best studio vehicle, light years ahead of the rest: the best of the stories Jimmy Wallis at ABPC lined up for him immediately after this were subject to procrastination, and in three years during the swinging sixties enough tastes changed for his final film to fall flat. This picture captured the public mood, and took an absolute fortune. In 1966, when our Charlie finally had a fourth picture given the go-ahead, they gave him a cast-off that had been intended for Tony Hancock in 1964 (meanwhile ABPC had put the exceedingly difficult Hancock onto its ABC-Tv, into a filmed tv show format that had been a cast-off from another contracted comic).Like many studios of the time (including, as is forgotten under the sound of their big guns, all the Hollywood ones) ABPC would try to subsist on a diet of medium-sized low-risk concepts, but now watch for a wonderful array of long-forgotten and often brilliant Associated British productions: recommended as try outs are GUNS OF DARKNESS (filmed 1961), BULLDOG DRUMMOND AT BAY (1936), CROOKS IN CLOISTERS (1963), CHASE A CROOKED SHADOW (1956), WILL ANY GENTLEMEN...? (1952), IT HAPPENED IN GROSVENOR SQUARE (1945), DANDY DICK (1934), HAPPY GO LOVELY (1950). Eagerly awaited from Network and studiocanal are the likes of EYEWITNESS (1969), the marvelous George Cole in his vehicle TOP SECRET (1952), Errol Flynn's THE DARK AVENGER (1954) as a starter.Because of their need to avoid the monopolies commission, Associated British's (ABPC) vast array of filmed productions are mostly under the names of companies and groups they controlled. So, virtually all of Anglo-Amalgamated's productions - from pre-1966 Carry Ons to Fu Manchu, Merton Park Wallaces / Lustgartens and AIP co-productions - not to mention the western SHALAKO - were actually ABPC output. The grander British Warner Bros pictures done at Elstree, between 1946 and 1967, were also Associated British productions with their maker's-name changed for Warners favour: among these are THE SUNDOWNERS, THE NUN'S STORY and MOBY DICK. (ABPC actually also controlled British Warners in turn, as part of a ruling). ABPC had similar decades-long relationships with Allied Artists - ABPC were involved in making "Hollywood's" LOVE IN THE AFTERNOON for instance. You will find ABPC's colossal output also through the films of AB-Pathe, Pathe Newsreel, Anglo-Guild, ABC Television, Warner-Pathe, and their bloodline continued right into the late-1980s as EMI, startlingly entailing CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND (1976) and THE DEER HUNTER (1977).Network and Studiocanal are really pulling out the stops on these new releases - every one I have received look as though they are straight back from the processing labs ! The low prices make it all the more appetising to make for a good collection.

Brother was pleased he can watch his old time fav film again

What are the DVD of course what a strange question to ask what’s important to you important when it is bloody arrived and in good conditionOkay beauty of course

I remembered seeing this film as a child and loving it....Maybe not quite as fascinating and hilarious as my now foggy childhood memoriesbut nevertheless heartwarming.... whatever happened to Charlie Drake?(Mick Hucknall's birth father... surely !?)

I have been a huge Charlie Drake fan for 50 years so anything I write will be totally bias. This is good clean comedy from one of the Comedy Greats of all time. The DVD comes in a sturdy slim line plastic case which will save you space on your shelf. The quality of the DVD is excellent both in sound and picture plus it has plenty of neat extra features. I highly recommend this DVD for all the family.

Charlie Drake was a very funny man (The Worker is a very underrated show) and the Cracksman has it's moments but at close to two hours it outstays its welcome. The appearance of Ronnie Barker is brief but notable as he seems to be playing a prototype Fletcher from Porridge.As for presentation, Network have done a good job with the DVD, presenting the film in its correct aspect ratio with clear sound. The extras are limited, just a trailer and stills gallery.

film is quite good but not as funny as i remember it i think that could be due to supporting cast. the main down side was i had to turn up the sound for the dialog and turn it down again when any music was played