This is a cracker of a movie. There are good performances all round, and some stylish direction from former documentary film-maker Michael Apted. Watch out for some shaky camera work in some scenes. He later on gave us Gorillas in the Mist, among many others. The main surprise in this, is how great Freddie Starr performs in his only film role. And it was certainly an inspired piece of casting-whoever is responsible, I take my hat off to you. Though it looks low budget, there are quite a few top weight actors in it, even by 1970s standards such as Edward Fox, and the late David Hemmings. Sheila White, the poor cow of the '60s does a fine job as the kidnapped wife of Fox's character. It's not hard to see why Stacy Keach is so good as a man fighting substance abuse. He later on had his own troubles when he was caught entering the UK with drugs in 1984. Some years before, he portrayed a low grade boxer in Fat City with a young Jeff Bridges.This was made in the '70s, it's quite violent and rough around the edges. You have been warned. Enjoy it anyway.

"The Squeeze" is a gritty Lahnden thriller but not quite in the same league as "The Long Good Friday".Good points: Stacy Keach's performance; the presence of the scummy Alan Ford [later to play nasty geezers in "Lock Stock..." and "Snatch" and to get humiliated on Alan Partridge's "Knowing Me Knowing You"]; Sharon - played by the sultry Lucinda Duckett [later Grange Hill's Ann Wilson]Bad points: the obnoxious and hateful Stephen Boyd as Vic Smith; the confusing storyline and the contrived ending.Worth a second and possibly a third look I think - even if just to see if the plot ties together.5/10

This movie is downright terrible. Awful non sequitur transitions for certain scenes and unbelievably stupid drunk decisions made by the main character. I can see why they would've wanted to show his alcoholism causing him to potentially bungle an investigation, but the *whole movie* basically revolves around that, not to mention the fact that even with all his idiotic bungling, he still manages to get his goal accomplished. All I have to say is, Stacy Keach's naked ass. Oh God...

Tough, hard hitting British thriller about an ex Scotland yard man, played very convincingly by Stacy Keach, now trying to keep from becoming a confirmed alcoholic. He finds his old skills are needed again when his wife is kidnapped. The cast are excellent, and they, along with the no holds barred script make this one of the best thrillers of the 70's