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Villain

Villain

Crime · Drama · Thriller · 1971

In 1970s London, Scotland Yard orchestrates the downfall of mob boss Vic Dakin after he crosses the line by blackmailing Members of Parliament.

Movie details

Villain

“By the time he's ready to kill you, its an act of mercy.”

1971 Crime · Drama · Thriller 1h 38m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

6.1 / 10

Community rating

In 1970s London, Scotland Yard orchestrates the downfall of mob boss Vic Dakin after he crosses the line by blackmailing Members of Parliament.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over Villain?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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Where it lives

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Michael Tuchner

Written by

Dick Clement · Ian La Frenais

Richard Burton

Richard Burton

Vic Dakin

Ian McShane

Ian McShane

Wolfe Lissner

Nigel Davenport

Nigel Davenport

Bob Matthews

Donald Sinden

Donald Sinden

Gerald Draycott

Fiona Lewis

Fiona Lewis

Venetia

T. P. McKenna

T. P. McKenna

Frank Fletcher

Joss Ackland

Joss Ackland

Edgar Lowis

Court is in session

Put Villain on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Big-Idea Head

“Form is the argument.”

Every composed frame and deliberate cut is evidence that control can be thrilling in its own right.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Technique in search of a pulse.”

Immaculate construction is still construction. The film may be too busy proving its craft to feel alive.