BUSTER, the Phil Collins film about Buster Edwards

[exmouthcraig]

I managed to actually sit down and watch the Phil Collins film Buster tonight, filmed in 1988 to portray the life of 'lucky thief' Buster Edwards and his desire to do the 'job he dreamt of' and what became The Great Train Robbery.

This topic is not to discuss the details of the crime or the things that they did whilst raiding the train itself, I dont believe this to be the place to discuss that.

Buster was concerned about the amount of 'extras' brought in on the job and  the biggest imposter was non other then Ronnie Biggs, way out of his depth and bringing in useless idiots.

The bent barrister only had to send 'the cleaners' in to Leatherslade and he got that wrong! But more and more in the chain all taking their cut.

Once all the stolen money was divided each share was worth £150,000 in 1963 money. Buster spent and squandered a fortune trying to keep a low profile and stay on the run, he even had £10,000 go missing between Switzerland and Acapulco.

The good thing with the film was how well it showed his and June's struggle with money and being so far away from home and family. In 1966 June left with Nikki their daughter and headed home, Buster followed a few months later after admitting to Bruce that he had £400 left out of his£150,000.

In 3 years they had managed to spend all their money,  constantly looking over their shoulder and never able to relax for fear of getting caught.

Ultimately he turned himself in to about 60 coppers all outside his house and got sentenced to  15years!!

All in all a very good film, Phil is a cracking actor and had a fantastic cast with him, Bruce was played by Larry Lamb, June was Julie Walters,Sheila Hancock, Michael Atwell, Martin Jarvis even Steve McFadden of Phil Mitchell fame is in there.

Some cracking road vehicles that were used, a beautiful mk2 Jag, Ford 100e, Ford Consul and a standard green Morris Traveller.

The train looked absolutely magnificent, they even used the correct loco number so the production team clearly did their homework and just to tie up with the TPO thread these looked absolutely spotless!

If your ever bored for a couple of hours definitely give this a whirl, if nothing else you'll sing every song on the soundtrack

[RailGooner]

An interesting character and story. But the film isn't my cup of tea - afraid I have a very different assessment of Mr Collin's acting abilities. C'est la vie.

[Bealman]

Yeah, I rented that back in the days when that's what you did. Unfortunately, I thought the same thing - he should stick to singing. Sorry!

I believe he is a model railway enthusiast, however. 

[Phoenix]

I did enjoy the film as well. A great cast, although I find Phil Collins a bit bland, but I do like Heist type films.

Not N gauge, but I thought you guys might find this interesting .....

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-26970204

All best wishes

Kevin

[Trainfish]

I find Phil Collins a bit bland

He ruined Genesis too  :'(

[Bigmac]

i saw it again recently--and look forward to a reprise next time round.

[Paul J]

It is a remarkable achievement to make the Four Tops sound cheesy. This film's soundtrack managed to do it!

[joe cassidy]

My favourite scene is where Julie Walters cooks the bacon & eggs

[Phoenix]

Hi Joe,

I'm a huge fan of Julie Walters 

Many years back I saw her in the original 2 handed stage play "Educating Rita" ..... Wow, what a fabulous performance

All best wishes

Kevin

[Bigmac]

Hi Joe,

I'm a huge fan of Julie Walters 

Many years back I saw her in the original 2 handed stage play "Educating Rita" ..... Wow, what a fabulous performance

All best wishes

Kevin

what was the film in which Julie got stuck in an E -Type with her lover ?

[jpendle]

He ruined Genesis too  :'(

Not his fault. Peter Gabriel leaving was a seismic shift, even if they'd found a new singer, things were never going to be the same.

John P

[Phoenix]

Hi,

The film was "Car Trouble", one I missed ....

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088883/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

One of my favourite Julie Walters films was "Personal services" based on Cynthia Payne 

All best wishes

Kevin



Sorry to have moved this thread a bit off track 

[guest311]

and the classic question...
what car do you drive 

[Bigmac]

Hi,

The film was "Car Trouble", one I missed ....

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088883/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

One of my favourite Julie Walters films was "Personal services" based on Cynthia Payne 

All best wishes

Kevin



Sorry to have moved this thread a bit off track 

excellent--i thought i was mistaken. Isnt the husband in it an air traffic controller ?