cult film freak: STANLEY BAKER & ANTHONY STEEL DRIVEN THROUGH 'CHECKPOINT'

Written by James M. Tate / 1/26/2024 / No comments / anthony steel , british film noir , crime , fifties , lee patterson , race car , sport , stanley baker

STANLEY BAKER & ANTHONY STEEL DRIVEN THROUGH 'CHECKPOINT'

1/26/2024 | No comment

Title: CHECKPOINT Year: 1956 Rating: **1/2

What begins with an edgy heist by square-jawed tough guy Stanley Baker as a hired thief provides CHECKPOINT the only hint of not only a criminal but being a crime film at all...

Otherwise featuring cocky race-car drivers led by handsome Anthony Steel and younger Lee Patterson, standing around a track discussing an upcoming Italian race when Steel's not romancing ingenue Odile Versois...

Stanley Baker in CHECKPOINT

Meanwhile a temperamental Baker waits for the next step since, after killing several guards in the initial heist... and having been hired by the car company owner... his mere existence is blackmail alone: so head racer Steel has to drive Baker across the Swiss border during the anticipated third act race — unless (or until) one kills the other...

At which point neither the sport or crime film had panned-out since it all should have belonged entirely to Stanley Baker who, ironically, the next year became a superstar in HELL DRIVERS, making CHECKPOINT one of his last good-for-nothing scoundrel roles before playing cool anti-heroes, tough cops or upright villains.

Stanley Baker in CHECKPOINT

Odile Versois in CHECKPOINT with Anthony Steel

Stanley Baker in CHECKPOINT

Odile Versois in CHECKPOINT

Stanley Baker in CHECKPOINT

Stanley Baker and Odile Versois in CHECKPOINT

Odile Versois in CHECKPOINT

Stanley Baker in CHECKPOINT

Stanley Baker in CHECKPOINT with Anthony Steel

CHECKPOINT with Anthony Steel

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Tags : anthony steel , british film noir , crime , fifties , lee patterson , race car , sport , stanley baker

James M. Tate

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