Three criminals plan to break out of prison the day before their release in order to carry out a daring jewel robbery, intending to establish the perfect alibi by returning to jail afterwards. First however they must get out, a task made more difficult by a new, stricter prison officer.
Acting
Peter Sellers at his most restrained — still chaos incarnate.
Writing
Dialogue so crisp you could bounce a shilling off it.
Director
Robert Day
Peter Sellers
Dodger Lane
Wilfrid Hyde-White
Soapy Stevens
Maurice Denham
Governor Horatio Bennett
Irene Handl
Mrs. Price
David Lodge
Jelly Knight
Lionel Jeffries
Chief Prison Officer Sidney Crout
Liz Fraser
Ethel
Bernard Cribbins
Lennie Price
Beryl Reid
Miss Pringle
Walter Hudd
Reverend Patterson
George Woodbridge
Chief Prison Officer Jenkins
John Glyn-Jones
Lawyer
Cyril Chamberlain
Day Gate Warder
Noel Hood
Miss Prescott
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Peter Sellers was so committed to the role that he reportedly insisted on wearing actual prison-issue underwear for authenticity. Method acting, 1960s style.
This was one of the last pure Ealing-style comedies before the studio system's collapse — a farewell to an era where criminals were charming and authority figures were the real buffoons.
US
GB
