The Squeeze (1977 film)


The Squeeze is a 1977 British gangster thriller, directed by Michael Apted, based on a novel by Bill James. The screenplay was written by Minder creator Leon Griffiths.
The production headlines a major cast made up of American actor Stacy Keach, and British actors Edward Fox and David Hemmings. Irish actor Stephen Boyd was also featured in a major role as a gangster.
Apted called it an "informed look at the British underworld" and said Warner Bros considered the film "too indigenous."

Cast

The film was shot in London in October 1976. Keach had lived and worked in London for many years. He says Apted was "a wonderful and intelligent director" who cast the actor on the basis of his appearance in Conduct Unbecoming.
The producers of The Squeeze enlisted an ex-gangster called Bob Ramsey to act as a contact between the film unit and the local underworld to cut down on harassment, due to location shooting in rather undesirable areas where criminals were operating. Local people in the area were hired as extras. Sex Pistols guitarist Steve Jones accidentally became an extra in the film.

Reception

The Squeeze has been called a better sequel to Sweeney! than Sweeney 2, with "superbly drawn and vividly played villains".
On its release, the tabloid paper News of the World called The Squeeze, "A nail-biting thriller...".
Keach said the film "didn't translate in America but it was well regarded and successful in England."

Footnotes