Hand Gun

Handgun is a 1975 American neo-noir crime thriller film directed by Michael Winner, set in New York City during the early 1970s. The movie follows Jack Shaw, played by James Coburn, a man in the process of stealing millions of dollars from a bank. The film is divided into a non-linear narrative structure, as it jumps back and forth in time between the events leading up to the robbery, the heist itself, and the aftermath. This complex structure adds to the tension and suspense, keeping the viewer guessing about the fate of Jack and his accomplices. The story begins with Jack, a seasoned thief in his 50s, who has planned and executed numerous heists throughout his career. This time, he teams up with a younger partner, Eddie, and a group of other professional thieves. Their target is a bank in a wealthy neighborhood, which they plan to rob in broad daylight. Jack, a seasoned professional, has studied the bank's layout, the security team, and the getaway routes, making him confident of their success. As the team carries out their plan, Jack faces unexpected problems, including a stubborn elevator, a nosy security guard, and complications with the getaway car. Despite these challenges, Jack proves to be an expert in improvisation, and he skillfully resolves each problem, keeping the team on schedule. However, the police soon become aware of the robbery, and a high-speed chase ensues as Jack and his team make their escape. The team suffers significant damage to their getaway car during the chase, leaving it barely mobile. Jack takes a significant blow to his head and receives multiple serious injuries while driving, making him disoriented and struggling to maintain control of the car. The team's escape eventually turns into a disaster, as most of the members meet their demise in a fatal car crash. Jack manages to survive, but his injuries are severe enough to put his life in danger. As he drives away from the wreckage, he realizes that he has been shot. Determined to survive, Jack seeks medical attention at a hospital, where he undergoes emergency surgery to save his life. Jack's accomplices, now dead, left no clues about the true identity of the robbers, leading the police to suspect Jack was the mastermind behind the heist. Meanwhile, Jack, now on his deathbed, manages to secretly hide the $500,000 from the robbery. With his life slipping away, Jack finds solace in his accomplishment of escaping with the loot and evading the authorities. In the end, Jack dies, and the $500,000 is left unaccounted for, leaving behind a trail of mystery and speculation. The film's non-linear structure and the multiple twists and turns make it difficult to piece together the events, leaving the viewer wondering what really happened and who was behind the heist. Overall, Handgun is a gripping crime thriller that showcases James Coburn's versatility as an actor and director Michael Winner's ability to craft a suspenseful narrative. The film's blend of action, suspense, and intrigue makes for a thrilling ride that keeps the viewer on the edge of their seat until the very end.