Bellman and True

Bellman and True is a British crime thriller movie which came out in 1987. The film's title originates from an old Cumberland folk song that tells a similar tale of thievery and chasing dreams. The film was adapted from a novel penned by Desmond Lowden and the director's chair was occupied by Richard Loncraine. Amongst the key cast members, Bernard Hill assumes the lead role, while other significant roles are played by Derek Newark and Richard Hope.

In a nutshell, the film puts a spotlight on Hiller, a computer wizard who finds himself caught in a dangerous situation owing to his technical expertise. Bernard Hill brilliantly portrayed Hiller, offering audiences a convincing depiction of a protagonist stuck in a precarious life-changing situation.

Hiller is a computer programmer located in London; he's indiscriminate and humble, with a unique set of skills that inadvertently attract the wrong type of attention. He lives a peaceful but slightly unfulfilling life, looking after his stepson who doesn't entirely accept him. His mundane existence, however, soon takes a thrilling turn, plunging him into a world of crime and shadows.

When an assortment of gritty criminals discovers Hiller's talent, they decide to forcibly employ his services for their illicit operations. He is then dragged into a high-stakes scheme, a bank-heist, using nothing but computers. Hiller's task is to work his way through the labyrinthine design of the bank's state-of-the-art computer security system, something that compels him to leverage every ounce of his knowledge and cunning.

The plot of Bellman and True advances in a fascinatingly unpredictable fashion, maintaining a grip on the viewers’ attention from start to finish. The narrative progressively unravels the increasing complexities of the task at hand and Hiller's mounting desperation to save both himself and his stepson. Even as he struggles with his moral compass and tries to negotiate the difficult situation he's been thrust into, the tale delves into the implications of his actions on his personal relationships.

Bernard Hill's performance as Hiller is one of the highlights of the film. Hill genuinely shines in bringing to life the complexity, anguish, and desperation of a decent man thrust into a terrifying world of crime and forced to compromise his moral principles. Derek Newark and Richard Hope are equally impressive, depicting an array of emotions from tension and danger to subtle vulnerability.

The movie brilliantly combines elements of the crime, thriller, and drama genres into a compelling narrative arc. The uniqueness of Bellman and True resides in its exploration of a relatively underplayed theme - cyber crime, a subject that was considerably fresh during the late 80s. It also delves deep into the characters, revealing their fears, strengths, and struggles that viewers can empathize with.

In addition to its plot, the movie was praised for its realistic depiction of hacking and computing activities, and for its suspenseful and poignant narrative structure that precisely portrays the protagonist's plight. Also worth noting is how the movie’s technical aspects – gripping cinematography, atmospheric settings, and a suspense-filled musical score – all come together to create a truly immersive experience.

Bellman and True offers a departure from the stereotypical action-packed, gunfire-loaded heist movies. It replaces these elements with a slowly building tension, detailed plot line, and multi-dimensional characters which makes the film a contemplative and thrilling piece of cinema. It is a poignant exploration of human values, personal crisis, and a remarkable instance of crime-based storytelling.

Hence, the movie emerged as a critically acclaimed cinema, admired for its innovative premise, impressive performances, and an intricate plot that seamlessly entwines the thrill of a crime drama with the underexplored world of cyber crime. With its suspense-filled narrative, the exploration of complex themes, and standout performances, Bellman and True has withstood the test of time and remains a captivating watch for an array of audiences.