If anyone was ever to wonder upon whom Arthur Lowe might have based his "Capt. Mainwaring" from "Dad's Army" character on, then they might look at Peter Cushing here in this superior heist thriller. He is the fastidious, frankly rather obnoxious, bank manager who runs his branch without any regard at all for his staff. Indeed, the first few scenes demonstrate just how unpleasant he can be - even on December 23rd! Unexpectedly, though, he has a visitor. "Col. Gore Hepburn" (André Morell) arrives and advises him and his chief clerk "Pearson" (Richard Vernon) that he is there from their insurance company to inspect the branch security practices. Soon, though, we discover that this visitor has an ulterior motive and has stooped to a fairly brutal and threatening method to secure it. What now follows is a tautly directed drama that allows Cushing to show more of his acting talents than he usually gets to display and there is also a subtle and under-stated performance from an on form Morell too. It falls away at the ending a bit though - I was actually rather disappointed by that, but for the vast majority of the ninety minutes this is an enthralling story that even has a slight sense of "A Christmas Carol" at the conclusion. Certainly well worth a watch.
