Bellman and True

Bellman and True

Year: 1987

Runtime: 122 mins

Language: English

Director: Richard Loncraine

ActionDramaCrimeThriller

Hiller, a computer expert, is bribed by a gang of bank robbers to hack the security system of a newly built bank. After providing the plans, the thieves trace him to London, kidnap his son and force Hiller to decode the alarm and take part in the $14 million heist.

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Timeline & Setting – Bellman and True (1987)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Bellman and True (1987). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1980s

Set in the 1980s Britain, the film uses contemporary security technology as the backdrop for the heist. The Christmas timing amplifies the amount of cash in the bank and adds tension as guards expect quieter operations during the holidays. The era’s mix of emerging computing know-how and procedural crime shapes the criminals’ plans and anxieties.

Location

London, Paddington station, Heathrow Airport vicinity, Dungeness Nuclear Power Station, Rio de Janeiro

The story unfolds across a metropolitan London backdrop, beginning at Paddington station and moving to a derelict house and a bank near Heathrow. The settings shift from crowded urban spaces to desolate seaside areas along the coast near Dungeness. The escape culminates with a plane heading to Rio de Janeiro, underscoring the criminals' far-reaching plan.

🏙️ UK setting 🗺️ London locations 🏖️ Coastal regions ✈️ International travel

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:27

Main Characters – Bellman and True (1987)

Meet the key characters of Bellman and True (1987), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Hiller (Bernard Hill)

A skilled computer programmer who is coerced by Salto to obtain bank security details. He becomes central to the heist, using his technical knowledge to outsmart the bank’s safeguards. Resourceful and morally conflicted, he fights to protect the boy while navigating threats from Salto and the crew.

🧠 Programmer 🔒 Security expert 🕵️‍♂️ Under pressure

The Boy (Kieran O'Brien)

Kidnapped by Gort and used as leverage, the boy is connected to Hiller as his wife's son. He is kept in danger during the capture and pursuit, becoming a focal point that motivates Hiller to act. His fate underscores the personal stakes of the heist.

👦 Child 🛡️ Leverage 💔 Family ties

Salto (Richard Hope)

The antagonist who bribes Hiller and pushes for the robbery, driven by greed and anger that the decoding tape failed to satisfy. He finances the operation and elevates Gort’s role, orchestrating events from the shadows. His ruthlessness escalates the danger and drives the plot toward confrontation.

🕵️‍♂️ Criminal mastermind 💰 Greed ⚠️ Threats

The Guv’nor (Derek Newark)

The mastermind behind the heist, orchestrating the operation and managing the crew. He alternates between control and fear of consequences, ultimately attempting to kill Hiller to protect his plans. His leadership reveals a chilling pragmatism and willingness to cross lines when needed.

🏗️ Leader 🧭 Manipulative 😨 Fear of exposure

The Bellman (Peter Howell)

A key planner who identifies the bank’s alarm system complexity and mentors Hiller into becoming the Bellman. He provides insider knowledge that anchors the operation in feasibility. His insights help navigate the security labyrinth and keep the plan on track.

🧭 Planner 🗝️ Insider knowledge 💡 Mentor

Gort (Ken Bones)

A taunting enforcer who tails Hiller and the boy, eventually kidnapping them. He embodies the constant threat of violence and coercion behind the crime, adding a raw sense of danger to the pursuit.

💂 Enforcer 🗡️ Threat 🫂 Pervasive danger

The Wheelman (Jim Dowdall)

A getaway driver who navigates the changing chase and transport modes. He facilitates the initial escape and a later switch to a van, highlighting the crew’s mobility and adaptive planning.

🚗 Driver 🗺️ Getaway 🧰 Practical

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:27

Major Themes – Bellman and True (1987)

Explore the central themes of Bellman and True (1987), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🎯 Heist

A meticulously planned bank robbery drives the plot, showing how intelligence and timing create opportunity. The crew exploits security loopholes and staged alarms to slip into the vault. The operation hinges on precise coordination and the tension between clever planning and real-world risk.

⚖️ Morality

The group operates under a loose code that aims to minimize harm, yet violence and coercion are part of the plan. The Guv’nor’s willingness to kill when necessary reveals a darker pragmatism. Guilt, fear of exposure, and loyalty to the crew complicate their decisions.

💾 Technology

Hiller’s role as a computer programmer ties digital know-how directly to the crime, decoding the tape and manipulating security details. The plot hinges on understanding the bank’s anti-interference safeguards and how to exploit them. The film contrasts high-tech knowledge with street-level improvisation, driving the thriller’s tension.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:27

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Bellman and True Summary

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Bellman and True Timeline

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Bellman and True Timeline

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