| Villain | |
|---|---|
 Meet Vic Dakin. Then wish you hadn't. |
|
| Directed by | Michael Tuchner |
| Produced by | Jay Kanter Elliott Kastner Alan Ladd, Jr. |
| Written by | James Barlow Novel Dick Clement Ian La Frenais Al Lettieri Adaptation |
| Starring | Richard Burton Ian McShane T.P. McKenna Frank Fletcher Donald Sinden |
| Music by | Jonathan Hodge |
| Cinematography | Christopher Challis |
| Editing by | Ralph Sheldon |
| Distributed by | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (US) MGM-EMI (UK) |
| Release date(s) | May 26, 1971 |
| Running time | 98 min. |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| All Movie Guide profile | |
| IMDb profile | |
Villain is a 1971 gangster film directed by Michael Tuchner and starring Richard Burton, Ian McShane, T.P. McKenna and Donald Sinden. It tells the story of ruthless East End gangster Vic Dakin and his plans for an ambitious raid on the wages van of a plastic factory. This is a departure from Dakin's usual modus operandi, and the job is further complicated by his having to work with fellow gangster Frank Fletcher's firm. As Dakin plots, Wolfe wheels and deals and MP Draycott gets caught in a web of his own iniquity, they are doggedly pursued by Inspector Bob Matthews (Nigel Davenport) who's just waiting for Dakin to slip up. The film was written by the unusual combination of well-known British comedy television writers Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais and the American actor Al Lettieri, renowned for his 'tough-guy' image in films such as The Godfather and The Getaway.
Contents |
Cast
- Richard Burton...Vic Dakin
- Ian McShane...Wolfe Lissner
- T.P. McKenna...Frank Fletcher
- Donald Sinden...Gerald Draycott.
- Fiona Lewis...Venetia
- Joss Ackland...Edgar Lewis
- Colin Welland...Tom Binney
- Tony Selby...Duncan
- Cathleen Nesbitt...Mrs Dakin
- John Hallam...Terry
- Elizabeth Knight...Patti
- James Cossins...Brown
Quotes
The film is noted for its fast-paced and colourful dialogue, for example:
- Bob Matthews: I don't know what you expect to get out of this, Dakin, apart from maybe an orgasm.
- Vic Dakin: Don't be a berk all your life, Sergeant.
- Bob Matthews: It's Inspector now.
- Vic Dakin: Bit extra on your widow's pension.
- Edgar Lewis: He's losing a lot of claret, Vic.
- Vic Dakin: Boxed in and buggered! What is it?
- Henry: Big tough boys.
- Frank Fletcher: They're the local rugby team.
- Henry: Well, they'll be short on Saturday.
- Vic Dakin: Fancy living here.
- Webb: Nice and quiet.
- Vic Dakin: Stupid punters. Telly all the week, screw the wife Saturday.
- Vic Dakin: Go and make a phone call, Terry.
- Terry: Who to?
- Vic Dakin: I don't know, your fairy-sodding-godmother.
Actor memories
Ian McShane revealed recently in The Daily Mail the he had mixed feelings about playing Richard Burton's bisexual lover. 'After kissing me, he's going to beat the hell out of me and it's that kind of relationship - rather hostile. It was very S&M. It wasn't shown in the film. He said to me "I'm very glad you're doing this film." I said, "So am I Richard." He said, "You know why, don't you?". I said, "Why?". He said, "You remind me of Elizabeth". I guess that made the kissing easier.'
External links
- Villain at the Internet Movie Database
