Popular reviews

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  Review by Josh Gillam ★★★

  Bill (William Russell) is a clerk bored of his humdrum life, and plots to escape abroad with the money in his company’s safe, but finds a series of obstacles in his way once he meets the equally dissatisfied Diana (Adrienne Corri), in this drama co-starring Ian Colin, Ferdy Mayne and Howard Lang.

  The film benefits from a more psychological approach, with the opening act taking place mostly through Bill’s inner narration, which gives us insight into his situation and plan. I think this is the strongest section, as it gives a different slant to the story, although the later parts are also good, showing how Bill gradually realises, through a string of events, that the grass is always greener on…

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  Review by Luke Thorne ★★

  Peter Graham Scott’s drama in which a clerk sees his chance to escape a humdrum existence, but his resolve is tested as many obstacles arise. Stars Adrienne Corri, William Russell and Ferdy Mayne.

  The story concerns a clerk who spots his huge opportunity to depart behind his dull life by getting away abroad with his irritating wife, but his resolution is put to the test when a number of unanticipated problems start to ascend.

  William Russell gives an okay performance in his part as Bill Anderson, the man who is fed up with his boring life, but his attempts to start a new life aren’t going to be as easy as he thought.

  Elsewhere, Penelope Bartley is alright as Bill’s…

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  Review by Beautifulkiller ★★★

  Short but sweet- a travel agent, Bill, bored and unhappy, steals money from the company safe, puts his passport photo in place of another man due to go to Panama in a few days, and takes off for Panama himself.

  If something could go wrong, boy, did it. Ultimately he meets a woman, Diana, at the airport who is also running away, in her case from her husband.

  The plane is delayed until the next day. Diana spots her husband, so the two take off in her car.

  The car becomes stuck in the mud, and Diana and Bill walk to a nearby cottage, probably used on weekends, so they break in.

  The housekeeper realizes someone has broken in and…

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  Review by Shay Kelliher ★★★ 1

  Very solid film, short and sweet with a really nice performance from William Russell pre-"Doctor Who"

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  Review by Giles_L ★★★

  Our humdrum hero hatches a daft plan to escape his shrill nagging other half and skedaddle to the bright lights of Panama for some adventure. Who wouldn't? It's his big chance you know - obviously his not so cunning plan goes awry at every step. This despite the best efforts of the world's most inept airport security staff to facilitate his shenanigans.

  A harmless little adventure starring Dr Who's very first companion William Russell as; rather conveniently, Bill, and the very plummy spoiled brat Diana, played by Adrienne Corri. This pair don't need to reach the Southern Hemisphere to forget they're married, tut tut. Where's your stiff upper lip Bill?

  There's some fabulous footage of fifties London and a lovely…

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  Review by scifirenegade ★★★★½

  Once again, William Russell puts on a charming and fine performance (and he's the lead)! Adrienne Corri is also excellent.
  Interesting thriller, but it's too short. Fast-paced.

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  Review by MikeAdrian

  A clerk decides to rob his employer and fly off to Panama, escaping his failing marriage in the process. However, events conspire against him as one obstacle after another appears and he’s forced to keep changing his plan. Along the way he joins forces with an attractive but high maintenance woman, which further complicates things.

  TV star William Russell carries this fast-moving thriller, which keeps the viewer interested throughout its 59 minutes. Already known for TV’s Sir Lancelot and soon to become a part of small-screen history as one of the original companions of Doctor Who from its first episode in 1963, his characterisation here is entirely credible and sympathetic. As his unexpected fellow traveller Adrienne Corri (nowadays often remembered…

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  Review by Colin Brockley ★★

  Fairly pointless morality tale, as nice as it always is to see Bill Russell and Ms Corri.

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  Review by Mike Bear ★★½

  Perfectly fine little movie.

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  Review by jrgeorge ★★★

  Classic B-movie noir, William Russell a bank teller steals money from his bank the first day he is left in charge of the sage, upon his well-planned escape he encounters a beautiful woman and as all noir things start to go awry.

  Nothing too spectacular, passable acting, passable production values it's how the seemingly simple plot is executed that makes it stand head and shoulders above other B-movies of the time.

  You can watch this classic on Youtube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ergsIqLOdYk&list=PLou7f7BlfVG4O8i7g_d2_2J-2yTibWVkG&index=17

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  Review by Spencear ★★★½

  Years before William Russell entered the TARDIS to travel with the First Doctor, he was portraying someone whose wanderlust would propel him on a course of, theft, forgery, and breaking and entering. An entertaining hour, although I feel that, had I spent a bit longer with his character before the adventure begins, the more sympathetic I might have felt.

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  Review by Beryl_Parkey ★★★½

  My review: thefilmediary.wordpress.com/2020/11/18/the-big-chance-1957-review/

  Excerpt:
  The Big Chance is a quick, bitey little drama. Many films like it would run for at least ninety minutes, but this one is just fifty-eight. The pacing is fast, but not so fast to lose you or confuse over the details. There’s quite a lot of development for the characters. Plenty of ninety minute tales seem to struggle to fit in necessary elements like character development. While not realized in the moment, our protagonist was picking up things from this adventure and changing as a person. William Russell, who plays the protagonist William Anderson, shows a lot. He acts like a real person, which gives this film class and life. The film is carried so…