Never Let Go

This stark underworld thriller punctuated by moments of savage violence features Richard Todd as timid salesmen Cummings’ who risks his job and family by confronting gangland villain Peter Sellers in his first dramatic role. John Guillermin’s direction is taut and has a degree of flair but the superficial script lacks a depth that might have made the characters more than brutal. In a rare tilt at a villainous role Peter Sellers is cast against and persuasively repellent whilst Todd is satisfactory but fails to convince.

Set in post-World War II East London, John Cummings (Richard Todd) is one of life’s near failures. A struggling cosmetics salesman for Berger, he buys a Ford Anglia that he cannot afford to insure. When it is stolen by a gang running a car theft racket, and the police offer little assistance, he vows to take the law into his own hands in order to retrieve it. The trail leads through youthful street thug Tommy (Adam Faith) to gang boss Lionel Meadows (Peter Sellers). Meadows young mistress, Jackie (Carol White), witnesses much of his bursts of violence at close quarters and fearing her lover she runs off with Tommy. Convinced that the only way to be rid of the crime boss’ evil influence is to destroy his empire, Tommy goes to the police. Meanwhile, Cummings goes to Meadows’ garage that evening to confront the crook face-to-face. —Britmovie.co.uk