Villain (1971 film)

Villain (film)

Company type	Film
Industry	Motion picture
Founded	1971 (1971)
Founder	Michael Tuchner (director)
Products	British gangster film

Villain is a 1971 British gangster film directed by Michael Tuchner, featuring performances from Richard Burton, Ian McShane, Nigel Davenport, and Donald Sinden. The movie adapts James Barlow's 1968 novel The Burden of Proof. This film marked Tuchner's debut in feature-length cinema after his prior work in television.

Plot

Vic Dakin is a brutal London crime boss whose harshness sharply contrasts with the tenderness he shows toward his elderly mother, who remains unaware of his illicit activities. He orchestrates a large-scale heist targeting the cash delivery at a factory but must collaborate with local criminal Frank Fletcher, agreeing that Fletcher and his brother-in-law Edgar Lowis will participate in the operation.

Detectives Bob Matthews and Tom Binney are determined to apprehend Dakin, keeping close surveillance through an informant named Danny embedded within Dakin’s organization. A minor offender named Wolfe, indebted to Dakin, supplies women to an aristocrat who hosts drug-fueled sex gatherings, which Dakin uses as leverage.

During the robbery, Fletcher sustains severe injuries. The group divides the stolen money, but Lowis is soon arrested after fingerprints link him to the crime. Wolfe pressures MP Draycott into providing Dakin with an alibi by using compromising photographs from the parties.

Suspecting Lowis of treachery, Dakin has him forcibly removed from hospital. When Lowis cannot find the hidden money at a designated location, police intervene; Dakin kills Lowis before being taken into custody. Defiant upon arrest, Dakin threatens to intimidate the jury and evade conviction. The film concludes abruptly with Dakin confronting onlookers: "Who are you looking at?!"

Production

In November 1969, EMI Films announced Burden of Proof as part of an eight-film lineup overseen by Nat Cohen, though ultimately only Percy and Burden of Proof were produced.

James Barlow received £12,500 from the sale of film rights prior to his passing in 1973.

Writing

The screenplay was crafted by British comedy duo Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais, based on an initial treatment by American actor Al Lettieri, recognized for his tough-guy portrayals and reputed ties to the New York Gambino crime family. While several characters and situations from Barlow’s novel were retained, the storyline underwent significant modifications.

Casting

Producer Elliott Kastner approached Burton in July 1970, offering him the role of Vic Dakin—a ruthless Cockney gang leader with multifaceted characteristics. Burton accepted the part, opting to forgo his usual $1 million fee in exchange for a larger percentage of the profits, reflecting a calculated career decision amid changing industry financial conditions.

Burton credited American producers’ persuasion and his long-held interest in playing a gangster—a notable shift from his typical regal roles—as decisive factors in taking on the role. Nat Cohen described casting Burton as "something of a coup" that provided a boost for British cinema, marking Burton’s first primarily British-backed film in several years.

In 2013, co-star Ian McShane reflected on portraying Burton’s bisexual lover, highlighting the complex dynamics involved and Burton’s personal encouragement during filming.

Filming

Principal photography commenced on 14 September 1970 and spanned ten weeks, utilizing multiple locations across London—including Winstanley and York Road Estates—as well as Brighton, Bedford, and Bracknell.

Box office

Although Burton was recognized as the most favored British actor at the box office in 1971, Villain did not secure a position within the top ten highest-grossing films. Burton himself observed that while the film's performance in the United States was modest, it found a more enthusiastic audience across the United Kingdom and Commonwealth countries, with significant earnings anticipated from the UK market.

Critical reception

Reviews for the film were varied, potentially influenced by its interpretation of the incarcerated Kray twins. The Monthly Film Bulletin commended the film for its well-constructed narrative, strong acting, sharp screenplay crafted by La Frenais and Clement, and Michael Tuchner’s competent direction.

Conversely, Variety critiqued the film’s somber atmosphere and forecasted that its appeal would be limited primarily to fans of action genres. In retrospect, Filmink praised it as "a bold, compelling movie" driven by Burton’s daring portrayal.

Peter Waymark described the film as "disappointingly melodramatic," yet Empire placed it second in their 2009 list of "20 Greatest Gangster Movies You've Never Seen."

Bibliography

• Burton, Richard, The Richard Burton Diaries.

External links

• Villain at ReelStreets
• Villain at BFI Screenonline
• "Villain" at CinemaRetro.com
• "Villain" at Cinedelica.com