Plunder Road

An impressive low-budget heist film. It starts with the elaborate robbery, 20 minutes almost entirely without dialogue, Rififi-style. Just about the only words you hear are a few snippets of interior monologue, introducing the doomed protagonists. Then it's a tense slow burn as they gradually meet their inevitable undoing. The cast of mostly unknowns is pretty good, with understated performances that give us a peek into their lives. It's just one of those movies that works in all the right ways.

Starts off with a great heist that sets up the tone with just a handful of words and some great shots. Reason enough to watch the film. The rest is the attempt to get away with it, and it's just as good. It's full of tension, but strikes a different tone than the expected closing web of doom that is typical of this kind of plot, I like this approach. Even with relatively sparse dialogue, the characterizations are incredibly strong and support the film to its inevitable conclusion. Truly great.

Economical thriller that exudes the grim professionalism of its protagonists. Beware streams that crop the 2.35:1 frame.

Star Rating: ★★★1/2

Simplicity, brevity and straightforwardness deliver in this satisfying suspense film.

I wasn't entirely sold on the almost silent heist scene in the beginning, but this film did the unusual thing and actually grew stronger as it progressed. It's a minimalist noir/heist flick which lasts barely 70mins and succeeds beautifully at what it sets to do, but would have required more meat on it's bones to really rise to the next level. There are some surprises and handful of brutal scenes that still pack a punch - especially the ending. A small gem from the last days of Film Noir.