MICHAEL WINNER DIRECTS OLIVER REED IN 'THE JOKERS'

Title: THE JOKERS Year: 1967 Rating: **

The most disappointing of director Michael Winner and actor Oliver Reed's 1960's collaborations following their first and best, THE SYSTEM and before (the same year as) I'LL NEVER FORGET WHAT'S'ISNAME and then HANNIBAL BROOKS, the crime comedy THE JOKERS is too broad for a caper and not humorous enough for a comedy...

Two brothers, one an ex-military man played by 12-year-old-voiced Michael Crawford, horribly miscast, and his far more potentially-intriguing, womanizing brother Oliver Reed, attempt a media-frenzied heist on the Crown Jewels while playing cat-and-mouse with a trio of Royal keystone-like cops and there's so much running around not much lands in the form of the characters being developed beyond their gimmicky circumstance that, from beginning to end, this duo seems far too protected from the audience hoping they don't fail: which is the most important element of any heist film, comedic or otherwise.

Oliver Reed in THE JOKERS

Oliver Reed in THE JOKERS

Oliver Reed in THE JOKERS

Oliver Reed in THE JOKERS with Michael Crawford