London gangsters Brian Hope, Eric Idle, and Charlie McManus, Robbie Coltrane, dream of a quieter life in Brazil after their boss is killed during a bank robbery, and they disapprove of their new, younger, and more brash boss, Casey, Robert Patterson. In pursuit of a fresh start, they plot to rob a local Triad gang to seize their drug money, hoping the score will fund a clean break from their violent trade.
During the heist, the pair betray their fellow gangsters, Abbott, Robert Morgan, and Morley, Winston Dennis, stealing the money and fleeing, but a car running out of petrol forces them to seek refuge in a nearby nunnery as a gunfight rages outside. Faith, Camille Coduri, the waitress who has caught Brian’s eye, is wounded in the wrist by Abbott, and a casualty from the Triads is hospitalised. Casey promptly places a bounty on Brian and Charlie, tightening the noose around their heads.
Disguising themselves as nuns, Brian and Charlie present themselves to Sister Superior Liz, Janet Suzman, as Sisters Inviolata and Euphemia, respectively. Faith, having witnessed the violent chaos and the gang’s flight into the nunnery, follows them and poses as a mature student to gain access. Her gunshot wound is exposed, and she is taken to the infirmary. Brian slips away to visit her, claiming he is married to protect her from danger, even as Faith contemplates confession to the church.
When Faith plans to confess, Charlie distracts the priest, Father Seamus, [Tom Hickey], while Brian impersonates him. Faith admits she still loves Brian, but he convinces her to stay silent for her own safety. On her way out, she’s abducted by the Triads and interrogated, but she directs them to Casey and they release her. A lamppost collision leaves Faith dazed and hospitalized again, where a Triad has infiltrated the hospital staff as a cleaner. Brian and Charlie manage to secure tickets to Brazil, yet Brian still hopes Faith will join them.
Brian intends to tell Faith the truth, only to discover she has not returned to the nunnery. They race to her flat, barely escaping Abbott and Morley, who have been sent by Casey to pull Faith back. They slip back into their spare habits after accidentally waking an eccentric nun, Sister Mary, Doris Hare. In a tense exchange, Brian learns Faith is in the hospital, watched over by her father and Peter Geeves brother who guard her from the gang. Brian visits Faith, but she remains heartbroken, believing he no longer loves her.
The trio wake early the next day and head for the airport, but Sister Mary spots them and the chase accelerates. They steal a vehicle and race toward the airport, pursued by Sisters Liz and Mary, Morley and Abbott, and eventually Casey and the Triads. In a final act of resolve, Brian forces Charlie to return Faith’s truth, while Charlie stalls the gangsters. Casey is arrested, though a briefcase of money is lost in the chase, and Sister Liz and Sister Mary recover the missing fortune for a community project.
As the tension peaks, the two men and Faith reach the terminal, and a vigilant airport policeman warns the attendants of Brian and Charlie. Undeterred, they board a British Airways Boeing 747-200 jumbo jet, disguising themselves as attendants and finally escaping the UK for Brazil.
> keep on eye on them, won't you? They need you.
