The Day They Robbed the Bank of England 1960

Norgate recruited by Irish revolutionaries

Charles Norgate is recruited by Irish revolutionaries led by O'Shea to plan a Bank of England heist. Iris Muldoon, widow of an Irish independence martyr, also joins the effort. The group aims to steal one million pounds in gold bullion as a bold political statement.

Norgate proves his Irish roots to gain trust

Initially mistrusted by the group, Norgate proves his loyalty by revealing his Irish roots. This revelation helps him win confidence from O'Shea and Muldoon. The gang begins to see him as a true ally rather than a mere outsider.

Access to bank plans and museum

Norgate befriends Lieutenant Monte Fitch, a Guards officer, and uses the connection to gain access to the Bank of England's architectural plans through the bank's museum. He studies the layout and security features to inform the plan. This information helps the conspirators tailor their tunneling approach.

Discovery of the underground sewer system

Norgate uncovers an underground sewer running beneath the bank vaults and enlists a tosher to locate the sealed entrance. The plan evolves from a surface raid to a covert tunneling operation beneath the building. This discovery sets the stage for a long, hidden advance toward the vaults.

Planning the long weekend heist

The revolutionaries begin tunneling toward the vaults as they plan to strike during a long August weekend when the bank is closed. They rely on Muldoon's leadership and the tosher's local knowledge to chart the route. The plan hinges on minimal guard attention and a window of opportunity.

Lt. Fitch grows suspicious

Lt. Monte Fitch grows suspicious of Norgate's activities and begins investigating the unusual digging and access to restricted areas. His probing adds pressure on the conspirators and risks exposing the operation. The sense of impending discovery heightens the tension among the group.

Gas leak alerts guards

During the dig, the crew punctures a gas pipe, causing the bank's gas lights to dim and alert the guards. The temporary dimming gives them a narrow window while the vault remains uninspected. The risk escalates as minutes pass without a full security sweep.

Keyholder delay buys time

With one keyholder on holiday, the vault inspection is delayed, buying extra time for the tunneling operation. The delay increases the chance that the team can reach the vaults without triggering a full security check. The conspirators press forward, balancing caution with urgency.

Home Rule Bill reintroduced; heist paused

O'Shea announces that the Irish Home Rule Bill has been reintroduced in Parliament, prompting the group to pause the heist to avoid jeopardising the political process. Muldoon convinces Walsh to warn Norgate, but Norgate has already breached the vault. Walsh ultimately chooses to join the theft.

The heist succeeds: gold is retrieved

Using the tunnel, the conspirators extract a million pounds' worth of gold from the vaults and begin moving it toward the surface. Muldoon has arranged an escape by boat, but she has sent it away, leaving the team to improvise a ground withdrawal. The stolen gold is loaded onto a horse-drawn cart for the outdoor departure.

Tosher's emergence and vault entry

The tosher, overcome by gas, revives and climbs the ladder into the bank vault by mistake, with Norgate following him. This unforeseen entry tangles the last-minute escape and ties the tosher into the central crime. The crew's plan becomes precarious as they confront two sets of exits.

Cart collapse and arrests

The overloaded cart collapses in the street, drawing a passing policeman's attention. Norgate and Walsh are arrested and taken away in handcuffs, while Muldoon watches the setback with tearful resignation. The audacious plan ends in capture rather than triumph.