Mike Hodges couldn't believe Caine agreed to play such a bastard as Carter.
Ian Hendry who plays Eric Pace was originally going to be Carter. Can't see it myself. Albert Finney maybe.
Caine said he wanted an alternative to the 50's & 60's crime shows which showed criminals as soft & stupid - 'it's a fair cop guv'.
Caine says the film looks like Mary Poppins now. But even now it is quite hard hitting.