Dressing with intention

Consider for a moment, if you will, the fashion sense of the modern criminal.

Torn britches, ill-fitting shirts and stained track pants are the clobber in which many on the wrong side of the law are clothed these days.

While it is understandable the reason for a descent into criminality may be a certain level of poverty, and the often limited fiscal rewards of the career lend themselves to, at best, an inconsistent income, a tendency towards cheap clothing is surely a choice.

Perhaps in the criminal mind a certain identification with the lower classes is de rigueur nowadays - who knows?

Of course, in the early 1960s the criminally-minded aspired to something a little more exclusive.

Take the men behind the great train robbery; imagine them, for a moment, walking with an arrogant insouciance through a grey London parkland, planning their crime.

''Used banknotes - surplus cash from the Scottish banks,'' one says as he explains the target of their crime.

''How much?'' another asks.

''Don't know: rough guess, could be a million; after a bank holiday, maybe more.''

What were they wearing as they casually discussed the crime of the 20th century?

I can tell you, as their modish outfits that day are most pleasingly reproduced - I'm sure accurately - on The Great Train Robbery - A Robber's Tale, on Sky Movies Extra this Thursday week (March 6).

First of all, they were immaculately turned out in fedoras; their headgear turned down in a confidential sort of way at the front, but turned up, raffishly, at the back.

Conservative but tasteful thin ties - one in green, the other in blue - neatly covered the buttons of the clean, pressed white shirts worn by two.

That combo was completed by the most handsome long black overcoats.

The third criminal chose a light brown outfit, with the crowning glory a faux fur collar on a light tweed overcoat that would not have looked out of place on a well-to-do city banker.

How pleasing.

The 1963 robbery of a Royal Mail train heading between Glasgow and London in the early hours of Thursday, August 8, at Bridego railway bridge, Ledburn, near Mentmore, in Buckinghamshire (England, of course), is re-created and examined in The Great Train Robbery.

It features excellent attention to detail, some fine acting from a more than competent cast, and an engrossing storyline.

And here's a coincidence - A Robber's Tale was shown for the first time on December 18 last year - the same day Ronnie Biggs died.

Part two - A Copper's Tale - screens on March 13.

All in all, these cinematographs present a lesson in good taste for the underclass, and an enjoyable watch for the rest of us.

Recommended for both reasons.

- Charles Loughrey

 

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