With the legendary Sir Sean Connery recently leaving the world, it is time to embrace and celebrate his cinematic legacy above and beyond his time as the world’s most famous secret agent.
An amazingly charismatic talent who could light up even the most sub-standard films he appeared in up until his retirement after 2003’s THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMAN, Connery was already blazing a trail on screen prior to his debut as James Bond in DR. NO (1962)
THE FRIGHTENED CITY (1961) brings in the dawn of the ‘Swinging Sixties’ as part of StudioCanal’s ‘Vintage Classics’ label, with Connery in fine form as Paddy Damian, a climber (cat burglar), who is recruited to try and get the biggest gang leaders under the control of ruthless businessman Waldo Zhernikov (Herbert Lom) with help from nightclub impresario Harry Foulcher (Alfred Marks).
Zhernikov’s mistress, Anya (Yvonne Romain) is struggling to find work due to her immigrant status and becomes a key performer at Foulcher’s club, where she aims to raise her profile. Damian also sees Anya as something of a catch, but the gangs are none-too-keen on the plan by Foulcher and Zhernikov, determined to grab the spoils in an uneasy truce that could flare up at any time. Meanwhile, Detective Inspector Sayers (John Gregson, GENEVIEVE, THE TITFIELD THUNDERBOLT) is also eyeing Damian and all around, with his own determination to crack the case…..
Pre-empting classic gangster films like GET CARTER (1971) and THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY (1979) – but pretty tame compared to those later examples in impact – THE FRIGHTENED CITY encapsulates the spirit of the times in a stunning remastered monochrome pallet (it also features the original BBFC ‘A’ black card before the film). A great ensemble cast, which also includes Kenneth Griffith (THE WILD GEESE amongst others), acquit themselves well, but it is Connery who shines brightest, with elements of what was to help him endear and endure as Bond in both presence and a taste for physical action.
THE FRIGHTENED CITY is available to buy on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital from 12th April 2021 and available to pre-order HERE
