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The Rivals 1963

★ 6.02 votes56 min📅 1963-05-01

In *The Rivals (1963)*, director Max Varnel crafts a tense crime thriller where two small-time crooks stumble into a high-stakes kidnapping scheme. After stealing a car, they discover a ransom note inside—intended for a wealthy businessman whose daughter has been abducted.

Director: Max Varnel

Cast

Jack Gwillim
Jack Gwillim
Rolf Nelson
Erica Rogers
Kim Harris
Brian Smith
Steve Houston
Tony Garnett
Jimmy Vosler
Barry Linehan
Barry Linehan
Paul Kenyon
Murray Hayne
Alex Nichols
Howard Greene
Eddy McQuire
Philip Latham
Philip Latham
Lawrence
Maria Lennard
Phillipa Martin
Jack Rodney
Mick O'Leary

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Rivals (1963) about?

*The Rivals (1963)* follows two petty criminals who steal a car, only to discover a ransom note inside—meant for a wealthy man whose daughter was recently kidnapped. Rather than do the right thing, they decide to impersonate the kidnappers and demand the money for themselves.

Who directed The Rivals?

The film was directed by Max Varnel, a filmmaker known for his work in British crime and thriller genres during the early 1960s.

Who stars in The Rivals?

The cast includes Jack Gwillim, Erica Rogers, Brian Smith, Tony Garnett, and Barry Linehan as the key players in this crime caper.

Is The Rivals (1963) worth watching?

While *The Rivals (1963)* isn't a household name, its tight pacing and moral twist make it a solid watch for fans of British crime thrillers. The 56-minute runtime keeps it brisk, though it may lack the polish of bigger productions. Still, it's a fun, compact crime drama worth a look.

How long is The Rivals?

The Rivals (1963) has a runtime of 56 minutes.

About The Rivals (1963) — A Gripping Crime Thriller with a Twist of Fate

In *The Rivals (1963)*, director Max Varnel crafts a tense crime thriller where two small-time crooks stumble into a high-stakes kidnapping scheme. After stealing a car, they discover a ransom note inside—intended for a wealthy businessman whose daughter has been abducted. Instead of returning it, the duo sees an opportunity for easy money and decides to exploit the situation. What begins as a simple heist quickly spirals into a game of cat and mouse, blending dark humor with suspense as the criminals navigate the unpredictable consequences of their greed.

The film's gritty atmosphere and tight 56-minute runtime keep the tension high, while the flawed protagonists serve as a sharp critique of opportunism. With its sharp dialogue and moral ambiguity, *The Rivals (1963)* delivers a compact but engaging dive into the criminal underworld, where desperation and bad decisions collide in unexpected ways.