Definitely not that Black Panther.
The Black Panther is a 1977 British crime-thriller film directed by Ian Merrick.
The film focuses on the crime spree of the real-life robber and serial killer, Donald Neilson, also known as The Black Panther
. Here, Neilson is portrayed by Donald Sumpter and is put in the role of a Villain Protagonist, as it follows his attempts to get rich by robbing various post offices. Unfortunately for him, people don't take too kindly to being robbed, and soon he is driven to make one last-ditch effort to get money by kidnapping a seventeen-year-old heiress and holding her for ransom.
No relation to the Marvel Comics character of the same name.
This film contains examples of:
- Animal Motif: Neilson was given the alias because one of his victims said he was quick like a panther.
- Also, at one point the film focuses on a black panther exhibit when Neilson visits a zoo.
- Conspicuous Trenchcoat: Part of Neilson's disguise consists of a pretty nice black leather one. He also seems to wear a couple while scoping out places he's planning to rob.
- Creepy Souvenir: Neilson keeps a scrapbook full of photos from his time in the military. Some of which, are of dead bodies.
- He also keeps newspaper articles about his crimes in another scrapbook.
- Determinator: Aside from the second postmaster's son and Lesley, none of Neilson's victims comply to his demands. Even Lesley's family disobeys his orders to not go to the police.
- Evil Wears Black: Whenever committing a crime, Neilson wears all black.
- From Camouflage to Criminal: Prior to his crime spree, Neilson was in the military. At one point, he's even shown out in the forest, dressed in camo and practicing with his shotgun.
- Greed: Money and a lack of excitement in his life, are why Neilson does what he does.
- Improvised Weapon: Neilson tapes a spray bottle of Ammonia to his flashlight. Unfortunately for him, the only person he gets to use it on, is himself.
- Kick the Dog: Neilson hangs the seventeen-year-old Lesley Whittle, after her family attempts to deceive him and the ransom is bungled twice.
- Kick Them While They Are Down: While the third postmaster is injured and laying on the ground, Neilson shoots him again out of spite for giving him so much trouble.
- Malevolent Masked Man: Another part of Neilson's disguise is a long black hood made from a skirt.
- Pet the Dog: Neilson often tells his victims: if they comply, no one will get hurt.
- Subverted with Lesley Whittle. While he does try to make her stay a little more comfy by providing her with warm soup and a sleeping bag, it's clear that it's less because he cares about her well-being and more that he needs her alive to complete the ransom.
- Pistol-Whipping: The wife of the fourth postmaster becomes victim to a beating with the butt of a shotgun. She survives.
- Protagonist Title: Neilson's criminal alias is The Black Panther.
- Sawed-Off Shotgun: Neilson's main weapon of choice.
- Self-Damaging Attack Backfire
- Serial Killer: Neilson kills four people.
- Single Tear: While watching a movie on TV, Neilson sheds one after the movie ends in tragedy. He wipes it away quickly, before turning the film off and complaining about how movies should have happy endings.
- Slasher Movie: It's a crime-thriller, but the way it's filmed gives off the vibe of one, at least of the psychological variety. Neilson's mask and the murders by shotgun depicted in a bloody fashion certainly help add to the feel.
- Sleeps in the Nude: Lesley Whittle, apparently.
- Staircase Tumble: The first robbery victim pushes Neilson down a set of stairs.
- There Is No Kill Like Overkill: Subverted. Despite Neilson shooting a security guard six times with a small revolver, the guard's body seems to twitch, indicating that he's still alive.
- Villainous Breakdown: Two, actually.
- During his fourth robbery, when the postmaster sees him at the door, he tries to block it. Neilson sticks his flashlight in the doorway to keep it from being closed, but ends up spraying himself in the eyes with ammonia. He still manages to get passed the door, but flies into a blind rage; removing his mask, shooting the postmaster, and bludgeoning his wife.
- At the end, Neilson tries to hold two police officers hostage, in order to drive him out of town. However, one of the police officers fights back and he is soon beaten up by a mob of civilians. Despite his efforts to fight, Neilson is handcuffed to a phone booth, where all he can do is break down in tears and make futile attempts to swing at his apprehenders.
- Villain Protagonist: Donald Neilson/The Black Panther.
