| The Great Van Robbery | |
| Director: | Max Varnel |
| Music: | Albert Elms (uncredited) |
| Cinematography: | James Wilson (as Jimmy Wilson) |
| Editing: | Maurice Rootes |
| Studio: | Danziger Productions |
| Distributor: | United Artists (US) |
| Runtime: | 71 minutes |
| Country: | United Kingdom |
| Language: | English |
The Great Van Robbery is a 1959 black-and-white British crime film starring Denis Shaw and Kay Callard, directed by Max Varnel.[1] It was written by Brian Clemens and Eldon Howard and produced by The Danzigers.
Scotland Yard teams up with Interpol to discover the origins of stolen money in a private bank account in Rio de Janeiro. Assigning their best detective Caesar Smith to the case, the money is soon traced to a robbery from a Royal Mint van. Investigations lead to a coffee storehouse where a worker is found murdered and the remaining loot discovered.
The film's camera operator was future director Nicolas Roeg (credited as Nick Roeg).[2]
The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "Though basically routine in plot and substance, this lively crime thriller has the particular advantage of a freshly observed hero in Caesar Smith, convincingly played by Denis Shaw as a heavily built but agile Scotland Yard man with a dexterous line in judo."[3]
Boxoffice said: "Denis Shaw is the hero, ever resolute and resourceful – and upon his fast-stepping form the film's dramatic intensity rests. The audience for which it's designed will be happy."[4]
In British Sound Films David Quinlan says: "Routine crooks' tour with an unusual hero."[5]
Franz Antony Clinton writes in British Thrillers, 1950–1979: "In one of the better Danzinger brothers B movies, The Great Van Robbery features a bright script and efficient direction that keeps things moving at a brisk pace."[6]
In The British 'B' Film Chibnall & McFarlane write: "Nicolas Roeg's camerwork brought some distinction to The Great Van Robbery."[7]