'The Siege Of Pinchgut' was made by a mostly British crew in 1957 but set in Sydney. So it was interesting for me to see Sydney at a different time. This was before the Opera House was built so the harbor looks really different. I also did not know that Fort Denison, which sits in the middle of Sydney Harbour was also called Pinchgut. The plot is a pretty common one of a group of criminals hiding out and taking a family hostage. But this film makes it feel different to others not only because of the unique location but the way the story is told. I'm sure that they could not do the film today as the films main plot devise is that a cannon on the island can be used to blow up a ship of explosives in the harbor and I'm sure the cannons on the island do not work now. The story is very well told and there are many tense moments. I always find it facinating how criminals can do things that they hope will make them innocent but only end up making them more guilty. That situation of digging yourself a deeper hole. That is explored very well here. There are however some unintentional funny moments that you can not help laugh at because of the time it is set.
Aldo Ray is a name that is very familiar to me but I have not seen any of his films. He makes a very effective criminal here who is desperate to clear his name. We do not know much about the crime he's committed so we get to judge him on how he's being portrayed and not what he's done. Neil McCalllum is also very good as Aldo's brother in the film. He is the sweet innocent one that trusts his brother and will do anything to help him. Gerry Duggan was also a familiar face who I've seen a few times. As the caretaker of Fort Denison he gives a nicely realistic performance. Equally as good is Barbara Mullen as Gerry's wife in the film. She is much tougher than most women you see in these types of films.
While technically not an Aussie film it still feels like it. A great action thriller that shows off Sydney Harbour in a different way.
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