White Crow

Humble spy thriller White Crow, written and directed by George Threadgold, takes an ambitious swing at the action thriller genre and manages to get a few good punches in.

Julian Gamm plays ex-agent J.D who is on a mission to avenge his misdeeds as an operative in a shady government unit after he learns of the depths of their evil. Whilst trying to take out various members of his former agency, he becomes hunted in return and goes on the run with unwitting do-gooder Emma (Hanna Al Rashid), who saves his bacon on more than a few occasions.

Akin in story (if not in substance) to the Bourne movies, White Crow is an ambitious UK production with a small budget telling a big story. The governmental treachery, the hand-to-hand fight sequences, and the moody lead character with a special set of skills will be familiar territory for many viewers and Threadgold ensures they get bang for their buck when it comes to momentum. Every scene is written with adrenaline pulsing through it, ready for the next challenge J.D and Emma must overcome, as the conspiracy evolves.

Gamm is a worthy lead, coping particularly well with the physical aspects of the role but it is Al Rashid in the outsider thrown into chaos turn which audiences are likely to connect more with. Her performance brought a much-needed gravitas to the script which could often fall into clunkiness when the depths of the plot were being uncovered. The choreography of the action and fighting sequences was great, with plenty of thrilling brawls taking place across numerous locations, and the sound design is knocked up to ten to ensure viewers are never given a dull moment to relax in.

James Graem and Andrew Rolfe play excellent higher-ups and a particular highlight for this reviewer was the missed putt on a golf green followed by plenty of expletives. There are also a number of side characters who enter the fray along the film’s running time, not to ignore them but conscious of spoiler territory.

The use of flashbacks to draw in more of J.D’s background was cleverly done, showing how a younger version of him was recruited, leaving him knowing only a life of violence and following orders. This tied in nicely with the film’s themes and gave an emotional depth to his character’s arc.

Less polished than the spy franchises you are used to, White Crow gives a rawer yet no less thrilling ride.The filmmakers admirably keep things moving at a breakneck (literally) pace with very little downtime or superfluous subplots, knowing that the strength of their film lies in the brutality of the world they have created.

Watch our video film review of White Crow.