Story Synopsis

London, 1925. James Foley, an Oxford Undergraduate, overwhelmed by the perceived failures of his life, joins a London criminal gang as part of his research and in an attempt to escape his unhappy existence.

The leader of the gang is the charismatic thief, Danny Burton, who, despite initially resenting James’ upper-class background, becomes friends with him and initiates him into the ways of the criminal underworld.

James becomes increasingly engrossed in the life of the gang, gradually forgetting his own troubles as his confidence is slowly restored. Danny is also influenced by his new friendship but believes that his background will never allow him to be anything more than a common criminal.

Reluctant to return to his former life, James convinces the gang to allow him to join them in a daring raid on an art gallery.