the dvd files 

cast 
Stanley Baker, Patrick McGoohan, Herbert Lom, Sid James, Gordon Jackson  

We can well remember the first time we saw Hell Drivers on a rainy afternoon years ago in the good old days of early channel 4, it has long been on our DVD wish list so all hail to Network who have come up with a frankly gorgeous two disc set that shows just how it should be done. 

Hell Drivers released in 1957 and filmed in crisp black and white is a brilliant action filled tale about hard as nails drivers for a haulage company. 

The legendary Stanley Baker (one of the great under rated actors of the 1950s and 60s) plays ex con Tom who gets a job at a none too scrupulous road haulage firm, he soon crosses swords with the thoroughly despicable (Patrick McGoohan in a real scnery chewing pereformance of pure class). Things start to get out of hand when Tom discovers that Red and company boss Cartley (William Hartnell) are cooking the books, the guys at the firm (who also include Herbert Lom and a playing it straight Sid James) get paid by the job so the more runs they make the more money 

Its a heady brew of melodrama and fisticuffs and is absolutely a not to be missed release, not simply for the fact that its a great movie but also because of the fantastic array of extras Network have put together. Sublime. 

Extras
Theres an insightful audio commentary, a vintage location report, a brilliant interview/doco The Stanley Baker Story, an image and comic strip gallery, the theatrical trailer and PDF files of original PR material, mute news footage of Baker unveiling a plaque of his birthplace, an interview from the 1960's with Baker conducted by Bruce Lewis and focusing on the violent aspects found in Baker's films. Return to Rhonda is a 1965 documentary featuring Baker. Best of all though is the episode of Danger Man called Loyalty Always Pays and a mid 1970's Yorkshire TV play starring Baker and called Who Killed Lamb, this excellent suspenser  is similar in tone to an episode of Brian Clemens Thriller and has often been talked about in connection with that series but rarely seen. The 2 disc set also comes with a great commemorative booklet.