Review for The Lavender Hill Mob (60th Anniversary Edition)

'The Lavender Hill Mob' is one of my all-time favourite Ealing comedies. In fact it's one of my all-time favourite films. It's one of the first films I bought on VHS (to replace a well-worn off-air recording) and again, one of the first films I bought on DVD. Which brings us neatly to this wonderful Blu-Ray edition.

Having been through some serious restoration, the film has been recently airing at a number of cinemas up and down the country which, disappointingly, I have thus far missed.

Released in 1951 it is an almost perfect example of period British comedy and it ranks alongside the Boulting brother's superb 'School for Scoundrels' as a contender for a place in my top ten films of all time. Written by the mysteriously initialled T.E.B. Clarke (who got a Best Screen-writer Oscar for his troubles, and who had also written 'Passport to Pimlico' and 'Hue and Cry'), and directed by British film and TV stalwart, Charles Crichton (Hue and Cry, Danger Man, The Avengers) it featured a mesmerizingly off-beat performance from Alec Guinness who plays opposite Stanley Holloway, who is the perfect foyle for Guinness's' scarcely hidden brand of demented (but controlled) surrealism. And you can put that long sentence down to sheer unbridled enthusiasm! In short, it's an absolute gem of a movie where everything seems to fall effortlessly and perfectly into place.

Alec Guinness plays a British character favourite - the under-valued, under fulfilled white collar clerk, stifled by the idiocy and bureaucracy of the system and prepared to go to any lengths to break free. For 20 years he has patiently worked as a fastidious money transfer clerk for the Bank of England. So when he asked to look after the transfer of a large amount of gold bullion, he sees his chance to execute a recurring fantasy and make off with the goods to live the life of plenty that he clearly deserves.

A coincidental meeting with a new guest at his dreary suburban guest house gives him the opportunity to bring the last details of his plan together - a way to move the stolen gold out of the country. Mr. Pendlebury (Stanley Holloway) is a sculptor of sorts and makes a modest living through creating large metal Eiffel towers, which are shipped and sold as souvenirs in France. So why not melt the gold bullion down and ship solid gold Eiffel towers out of the country which can be retrieved on the other side of the Channel? So they now have a plan.

The pair recruit a couple of more experienced crooks to aid and abet their plan, Lackery Wood (Sidney James), and Shorty Fisher (Alfie Bass), and the Lavender Hill Mob is complete. So everything is now set up for a heist movie with a twist.

It never descends into mere spoof, but instead retains a barely repressible sense of hysteria throughout. There are plenty of near misses, lots of one off laugh aloud moments and even a white-knuckle car chase that makes it all hugely entertaining. It's also a beautifully concise film - just 80 minutes - which makes it a perfect movie to watch in one sitting.

Even the ending (which I won't spoil here) is perfect. Whilst justice must prevail there is more than one way for our hero to win!

The transfer is really superb with sharp high definition and excellent contrast with very little signs of wear. You've never 'ad it so good!

There are also some serviceable extra features including a delightful interview with the immensely modest T.E.B. Clarke, an introduction by huge fan Martin Scorcese, and audio only interview with Charles Crichton (which isn't the greatest recording in the world; slightly ironic as it was commissioned by the Broadcasters union!) and a cleaned up trailer.

The film is retailing at a 'must buy' price and absolutely no home should be without one. Recommended!