Movies From the Hat 7 – #17 – Emma K. Wall’s Pick – Hell Drivers (1957)

This is my 3962nd Review

Thanks to Emma of EmmaKWall.com for this recommendation.

Here are her thoughts on the film.

“Yes, it’s true. I wasn’t framed, and nobody talked me into anything. And the judge didn’t give me a raw deal. Happy?” – Tom

Number of Times Seen – 1 (11 Apr 2018)

Brief Synopsis – A former convict is hired to deliver truck loads of cargo back and forth at high speeds in order to cover his daily quota.

My Take on it – Emma has quite often surprised me for the better with her choices for me over the years and this time around she chose a solid film that I enjoyed quite a lot.

This film is able to take a simple premise of driving loads of cargo back and forth and turn it into a nail biting experience.

The tension gets higher and higher as things move along and it largely has to do with the editing because we see these truck drivers vying for the record of the most loads delivered each day even at the cost of endangering the others around them.

The cast of this film is amazing despite the fact that most of them were completely unknown when they made this film. (see Trivia section below)

This story is able to elevate the suspense of a simple plot to the point where you can easily care what will happen as the characters all try to outdo the other along the way.

The added noir aspects of the story also help move things along.

Bottom Line – Really interesting story that seems average yet manages to raise the tension higher and higher as the story progresses.  Amazing cast that is filled with so many future famous actors (mostly) in small parts.  The way that the story takes a simple event and helps elevate the suspense around it works really well here. Recommended!

MovieRob’s Favorite Trivia – Six of the actors who play supporting roles in the film became well known in the 1960s for their roles in film and television: Sean Connery (Dr. No (1962) and five of its sequels), Patrick McGoohan (Danger Man (1960), Danger Man (1964) and The Prisoner (1967)), William Hartnell (Doctor Who (1963)), David McCallum (The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (1964)), Sidney James (the “Carry On” films) and Herbert Lom (A Shot in the Dark (1964) and its sequels). (From IMDB)

Rating – Globe Worthy (8/10)

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