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.

Bellman and True (1987) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Bellman and True (1987) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In the humming sprawl of contemporary London, a city that feels both hyper‑connected and oddly isolated, the story follows a quiet specialist whose talent lies behind a screen. Hiller is a computer expert, comfortable in the logic of code and the predictable rhythm of his modest life, traveling with a young companion he cares for deeply. The urban backdrop is rendered with a sleek, cold‑metal aesthetic, where the gleam of new architecture masks a current of unseen vulnerabilities.

When a shadowy group of professional thieves approaches Hiller with a tempting offer—access to the inner workings of a newly built, high‑security bank near Heathrow—his routine is abruptly upended. The proposition is laced with moral ambiguity: the promise of money and the allure of a technical challenge collide with his innate sense of right and wrong. The film captures the uneasy pull of intellect being weaponised, and the quiet dread that settles in as the lines between freelance work and criminal complicity begin to blur.

The tension sharpens when the thieves’ leverage takes a personal turn. The young companion, simply called the Boy, is abruptly taken, and Hiller finds himself caught in a high‑stakes game where his expertise is the only bargaining chip. Forced to decode a sophisticated alarm system, he is thrust into a world where every keystroke could mean safety or disaster. The atmosphere tightens, blending the sterile precision of technology with the raw, unpredictable pressure of coercion.

Throughout, the film balances a cool, methodical visual style with an undercurrent of anxiety, making the audience feel the weight of surveillance, the whisper of secrets, and the relentless ticking of a clock that only Hiller can hear. The dynamic between a man and the child he protects fuels an emotional core that grounds the technological thriller, hinting at choices that will test loyalty, ingenuity, and survival.

Last Updated: December 03, 2025 at 23:53

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Thrillers with Desperate Coerced Fathers like Bellman and True

Thrillers where a parent is forced into crime to protect their child.If you liked the high-stakes tension of Bellman and True, this list features similar crime thrillers where a parent is forced into a dangerous heist or criminal plot to protect their kidnapped child. Find movies with the same desperate energy, moral compromise, and relentless pacing.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative follows an ordinary individual, often a skilled professional, whose life is upended when a loved one, typically a child, is taken. They are blackmailed or forced to use their expertise for a criminal enterprise, leading them through a meticulously planned heist or operation under extreme duress. The journey is defined by a constant tension between following orders and seeking an opportunity to outsmart the captors.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped by their central theme of parental desperation and coercion, creating a specific kind of high-anxiety thriller. They share a heavy emotional weight, a fast-paced, tense tone, and a plot structure where a character's unique skills are turned against them for survival.

Gritty Heist Thrillers That Spiral into Chaos like Bellman and True

Stories of detailed robberies that spiral into violent chaos and betrayal.For fans of the meticulous planning and violent fallout in Bellman and True, this collection gathers similar crime movies where a well-planned heist unravels into betrayal and survival. Discover movies with a tense, gritty feel, complex criminal dynamics, and ambiguous, morally fraught endings.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a detailed setup of a seemingly perfect criminal plan, often requiring a specific skillset. As the heist unfolds, internal tensions, external pressures, or plain bad luck cause the operation to fracture. This leads to a climax defined by betrayal and a desperate, often violent escape that leaves the characters' futures profoundly uncertain.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by a specific narrative arc: the rise and fall of a criminal enterprise. They share a tense, gritty tone, a focus on the mechanics of the crime, and a climax where the plan collapses. The mood is consistently anxious and paranoid, with endings that feel earned yet bleak or ambiguous.

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Don't stop at just watching — explore Bellman and True in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Bellman and True is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Bellman and True Summary

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Bellman and True Summary

Bellman and True Timeline

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Bellman and True Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Bellman and True

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Bellman and True

More About Bellman and True

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