Loophole (1981 film)
Encyclopedia
Loophole is a 1981
British
heist film, directed by John Quested
, and starring Albert Finney
, Martin Sheen
, Susannah York
, Jonathan Pryce
, Colin Blakely
and Tony Doyle. It was written by Jonathan Hales
, based upon the novel by Robert Pollock
. Music is by Labbi Siffre.
Stephen Booker (played by Sheen) loses his partnership, he finds jobs hard to come by, and with money in short supply, he unwittingly becomes involved in a daring scheme to rob one of London's biggest bank vault
s.
The film opens with a safe-break at (presumably) a company, but which yields unexpectedly low gains for the robbers. Daniels (Finney), plots the bank robbery having targeted this institution because he has discovered that the main subterranean vault, thought to be impregnable, lies within a short distance of a main sewer
. Enlisting the services of a somewhat 'bent' boat-dealer to supply equipment, he targets Booker who, as an architect
, has the skill needed to pinpoint the exact location underground. To do him justice, Booker angrily rejects the first approach from Daniels but later, harassed by his bank manager (played by Robert Morley
) and having to support a new business venture by his wife (Susannah York
), he agrees on the undertaking, after a second approach by Daniels, provided that no violence is to be used.
With Gardner (Colin Blakely
) keeping watch from a rented nearby office, the titular loophole of the sewer
access is utilized by the robbery crew setting off the bank alarms on entering the vault from beneath and continuing to empty the contents when the police arrive. The police decide the alarms are defective and turn them off for the evening.
As the gang are preparing to leave, a heavy downpour of rain starts to flood the sewer system and the gang are seen to struggle against a raging torrent as they are laden with spoils. Booker refuses to leave and remains in the vault. One of the robbers who had been injured by inhaling sewer gas earlier in the scene, Harry (Alfred Lynch
), is seen floating away and is presumed to die.
The last scene shows Booker, now a highly successful architect managing his own large practise, being approached by Daniels who states "I have a job for you...".
1981 in film
-Events:*January 19 - Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer acquires beleaguered concurrent United Artists. UA was humiliated by the astronomical losses on the $40,000,000 movie Heaven's Gate, a major factor in the decision of owner Transamerica to sell it....
British
Cinema of the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom has had a major influence on modern cinema. The first moving pictures developed on celluloid film were made in Hyde Park, London in 1889 by William Friese Greene, a British inventor, who patented the process in 1890. It is generally regarded that the British film industry...
heist film, directed by John Quested
John Quested
John Quested has been the owner and chairman of Goldcrest Films since the early 90s. He began his career as a third assistant director on The Concrete Jungle in 1960 and has gone on to produce many feature films over the course of his career.-Producer:...
, and starring Albert Finney
Albert Finney
Albert Finney is an English actor. He achieved prominence in films in the early 1960s, and has maintained a successful career in theatre, film and television....
, Martin Sheen
Martin Sheen
Ramón Gerardo Antonio Estévez , better known by his stage name Martin Sheen, is an American film actor best known for his performances in the films Badlands and Apocalypse Now , and in the television series The West Wing from 1999 to 2006.He is considered one of the best actors never to be...
, Susannah York
Susannah York
Susannah York was a British film, stage and television actress. She was awarded a BAFTA as Best Supporting Actress for They Shoot Horses, Don't They? and was nominated for an Oscar and Golden Globe for the same film. She won best actress for Images at the 1972 Cannes Film Festival...
, Jonathan Pryce
Jonathan Pryce
Jonathan Pryce, CBE is a Welsh stage and film actor and singer. After studying at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and meeting his longtime partner English actress Kate Fahy in 1974, he began his career as a stage actor in the 1970s...
, Colin Blakely
Colin Blakely
Colin George Blakely was a Northern Irish character actor. He was considered an actor of great range.-Early life:...
and Tony Doyle. It was written by Jonathan Hales
Jonathan Hales
Jonathan Hales is a British playwright and screenwriter. He is noted for his work with Lucasfilm, including The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles television series and Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones.-Career:...
, based upon the novel by Robert Pollock
Robert Pollock
Robert L. Pollock is an editorial writer and Wall Street Journal Editorial Board member.- Biography :Robert Pollock was born in Buffalo, New York. He studied at Yale and was a member of the Party of the Right...
. Music is by Labbi Siffre.
Cast
- Albert FinneyAlbert FinneyAlbert Finney is an English actor. He achieved prominence in films in the early 1960s, and has maintained a successful career in theatre, film and television....
- Mike Daniels - Martin SheenMartin SheenRamón Gerardo Antonio Estévez , better known by his stage name Martin Sheen, is an American film actor best known for his performances in the films Badlands and Apocalypse Now , and in the television series The West Wing from 1999 to 2006.He is considered one of the best actors never to be...
- Stephen Booker - Susannah YorkSusannah YorkSusannah York was a British film, stage and television actress. She was awarded a BAFTA as Best Supporting Actress for They Shoot Horses, Don't They? and was nominated for an Oscar and Golden Globe for the same film. She won best actress for Images at the 1972 Cannes Film Festival...
- Dinah Booker - Colin BlakelyColin BlakelyColin George Blakely was a Northern Irish character actor. He was considered an actor of great range.-Early life:...
- Gardner - Jonathan PryceJonathan PryceJonathan Pryce, CBE is a Welsh stage and film actor and singer. After studying at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and meeting his longtime partner English actress Kate Fahy in 1974, he began his career as a stage actor in the 1970s...
- Taylor - Robert MorleyRobert MorleyRobert Adolph Wilton Morley, CBE was an English actor who, often in supporting roles, was usually cast as a pompous English gentleman representing the Establishment...
- Godfrey - Alfred LynchAlfred LynchAlfred Cornelius Lynch was a British actor on stage, film and television.Lynch was born in Whitechapel, London, the son of a plumber. After attending a Roman Catholic school, he worked in a draughtsman's office before entering national service...
- Harry - Tony Doyle - Nolan
- Christopher GuardChristopher GuardChristopher Guard is an English actor.Educated at Latymer Upper School, Guard was a member of the National Theatre aged 20. He has appeared in Vienna 1900 , Memoirs of a Survivor and Return to Treasure Island...
- Cliff - Gwyneth PowellGwyneth PowellGwyneth Powell is an English actress who is most known for her portrayal of headmistress Bridget McCluskey in the BBC television series Grange Hill for eleven series between 1981 and 1991.-Career:...
- Doreen - Jerry Harte - Maxwell
- James GroutJames GroutJames Grout is an English actor of radio and television.Grout was born in London, the son of Beatrice Anne and William Grout...
- Fairbrother - Terrence Hardiman - David
- Bridget Brice - Emily
- Ian Howarth - Matthew
Plot synopsis
When architectArchitect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
Stephen Booker (played by Sheen) loses his partnership, he finds jobs hard to come by, and with money in short supply, he unwittingly becomes involved in a daring scheme to rob one of London's biggest bank vault
Bank vault
A bank vault is a secure space where money, valuables, records, and documents can be stored. It is intended to protect their contents from theft, unauthorized use, fire, natural disasters, and other threats, just like a safe...
s.
The film opens with a safe-break at (presumably) a company, but which yields unexpectedly low gains for the robbers. Daniels (Finney), plots the bank robbery having targeted this institution because he has discovered that the main subterranean vault, thought to be impregnable, lies within a short distance of a main sewer
Sanitary sewer
A sanitary sewer is a separate underground carriage system specifically for transporting sewage from houses and commercial buildings to treatment or disposal. Sanitary sewers serving industrial areas also carry industrial wastewater...
. Enlisting the services of a somewhat 'bent' boat-dealer to supply equipment, he targets Booker who, as an architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
, has the skill needed to pinpoint the exact location underground. To do him justice, Booker angrily rejects the first approach from Daniels but later, harassed by his bank manager (played by Robert Morley
Robert Morley
Robert Adolph Wilton Morley, CBE was an English actor who, often in supporting roles, was usually cast as a pompous English gentleman representing the Establishment...
) and having to support a new business venture by his wife (Susannah York
Susannah York
Susannah York was a British film, stage and television actress. She was awarded a BAFTA as Best Supporting Actress for They Shoot Horses, Don't They? and was nominated for an Oscar and Golden Globe for the same film. She won best actress for Images at the 1972 Cannes Film Festival...
), he agrees on the undertaking, after a second approach by Daniels, provided that no violence is to be used.
With Gardner (Colin Blakely
Colin Blakely
Colin George Blakely was a Northern Irish character actor. He was considered an actor of great range.-Early life:...
) keeping watch from a rented nearby office, the titular loophole of the sewer
Sanitary sewer
A sanitary sewer is a separate underground carriage system specifically for transporting sewage from houses and commercial buildings to treatment or disposal. Sanitary sewers serving industrial areas also carry industrial wastewater...
access is utilized by the robbery crew setting off the bank alarms on entering the vault from beneath and continuing to empty the contents when the police arrive. The police decide the alarms are defective and turn them off for the evening.
As the gang are preparing to leave, a heavy downpour of rain starts to flood the sewer system and the gang are seen to struggle against a raging torrent as they are laden with spoils. Booker refuses to leave and remains in the vault. One of the robbers who had been injured by inhaling sewer gas earlier in the scene, Harry (Alfred Lynch
Alfred Lynch
Alfred Cornelius Lynch was a British actor on stage, film and television.Lynch was born in Whitechapel, London, the son of a plumber. After attending a Roman Catholic school, he worked in a draughtsman's office before entering national service...
), is seen floating away and is presumed to die.
The last scene shows Booker, now a highly successful architect managing his own large practise, being approached by Daniels who states "I have a job for you...".