Note: contrary to the 92 minute running time stated on the rear sleeve, Anchor Bay's print is the original British version, which clocks in at 96 minutes in this NTSC transfer. A shorter version, titled "The Concrete Jungle," was released in the U.S. at 86 minutes.

Directed with panache by blacklisted American Joseph Losey, the film was also one of four projects with suave lead actor Stanley Baker, who had appeared in Losey's 1958 drama "Blind Date," later in "Eve" (1962), and "Accident" (1967). Originally approached by Hammer to star in another film (after "Hell Is A City"), Baker agreed to appear in the film if Losey was attached. Losey in turn hired Alun Owen, a lesser-known writer who had written several teleplays directed by Ted Kotcheff, for a major re-write, which resulted in a script rich in diverse dialects and native slang, and Baker's character modeled after the legendary and flamboyant underworld figure Albert Dimes, who acted as an advisor during production.

Blending stark locations with a superb prison set (copied to exacting detail after England's Victorian prisons), Losey's fluid camera nevertheless captured a plethora of character nuances which make this taut suspense/drama far superior to the average prison films which were more common as drive-in, B-level fodder.

Anchor Bay's transfer is made from a crisp black & white print, with a rich array of grey levels that are faithful to veteran Robert Krasker's cinematography. The audio mix is straightforward mono, but Losey gave his soundtracks just as much attention as his visuals, and uses an interesting blend of prison sounds, dramatic silence, and conforms key montages to suit John Dankworth's jazz-styled score. The film's final shot punctuates the Bannion's nihilistic existence with a mournful ballad sung by Cleo Laine.

The lengthy British trailer covers a lot of ground, so save it till after the film to avoid any spoilers.

Detailed Talent Bios, using generous quotations, cover director Losey, and star Baker - an actor who made several excellent crime/caper films in his career, with "Hell Is A City" (1959), "A Prize Of Arms" (1962), and Peter Yates' "Robbery" (1967).

© 2002 Mark R. Hasan