Several well-known actors attempted to tackle these tough narratives centered on criminal organizations during the early nineteen seventies, and this fairly straightforward film marked Richard Burton’s contribution. It's safe to assume he received a substantial fee, but his acting feels uninspired here. He portrays "Dakin," a figure reminiscent of the Kray twins who oversees a criminal operation that demands protection money from local businesses. A man prone to violence, he directs his temper at both enemies and allies, yet finds himself needing to work alongside his competitor "Fletcher" (TP McKenna) when an opportunity arises to steal a large factory payroll. Simultaneously, his favored companion "Wolfe" (Ian McShane) also experiences his wrath—and shares his bed—while Burton’s character shows affection for his elderly and unwell mother (Catherine Nesbit). As crime stories go, this one is rather dull. The plot unfolds in a very predictable manner with a stiff and unoriginal screenplay, minimal development of the characters, and a lead actor who failed to command attention or make an impact as I anticipated. A capable supporting cast of familiar faces does their best to elevate it, but ultimately the feeling of danger just isn't there. It may have held more significance at the time, given the lingering awareness of political scandals from the nineteen sixties and the recent change in laws regarding homosexuality in the UK, however now—fifty years on—it’s entirely unremarkable entertainment.

Source on TMDB