Thriller

Action

Crime

The Debt Collector

Dragon Pictures

Film4 Productions

United Kingdom

English

Billy Connolly

Ken Stott

Francesca Annis

Iain Robertson

Annette Crosbie

Alastair Galbraith

Ford Kiernan

Ronni Ancona

Phil McKee

Shauna Macdonald

Jimmy Logan

John Wilson

Anthony Neilson

Graham Broadbent

Damian Jones

Colin Nicolson

Adrian Johnston

Ken Wheatley

Dick Pope

Mark Geraghty

Liz Bunton

Drew Jones

The debt that must be paid.

To date this remains the only film Anthony Neilson has directed, in fact, he also wrote it and his writing credits can also be counted on one hand. This is a crime, for The Debt Collector is a powerhouse film, a grim and grungy piece of British miserablism that serves to gnaw away at your senses.

Billy Connolly stars as ex-con Nickie Dryden, who after release from prison marries and tries to start afresh as an artist. But there is a vengeful policeman on his tail, Gary Keltie (Ken Stott), who believes nobody should ever forget the crimes that Dryden perpetrated.

Stripping it down it's a tale of repercussions of actions, of perceived retribution and of off-kilter hero worship. Right from the off you know this is a tragedy piece, something Shakespearian like, clearly we are not in this part of Edinburgh to be cheered up! The colour photography (Dick Pope) is beautiful and belies the harsh nature of the story, while Neilson shows some splendid flighty camera work that gracefully marries up with the great performances of his two lead actors.

It's a punch in the face movie, attention grabbing for sure, but it also taxes the brain. An unjustly neglected film that deserves to be sought out by more lovers of gritty British cinema. 9/10

Footnote: Subtitles might be required for non British viewers.

The Debt Collector (1999) | Film4 Trailer

DEBT COLLECTOR TRAILER

Best Movies

The Debt Collector

Cast & Crew

Videos

Cast