The Bofors Gun is a 1968 British drama film directed by Jack Gold and starring Nicol Williamson, David Warner, Ian Holm and John Thaw.

[5] Set in 1954, during the British peacetime occupation of West Germany following the Second World War, it portrays the increasingly violent interaction between members of a squad of soldiers during a single night of guard duty.

Gunner O'Rourke in particular is troublesome and insubordinate, his contempt for Evans spurring him to test the authority and patience of the weak-willed non-commissioned officer (NCO).

The atmosphere grows more tense and O'Rourke strikes one of the other men, Rowe and then dares Evans to place him on a disciplinary charge but the NCO is too nervously intimidated to do so.

O'Rourke confides to Featherstone that at midnight it will be his 30th birthday and the two decide to go the canteen and start drinking, knowing full well it is forbidden whilst on guard duty.

Walker and Lt Pickering arrive and Evans, now destined to spend the rest of his service in the ranks, has to face the full force of military punishment.

[6] The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "There are no tricks of style, no obvious directorial touches; [Gold's] control of his subject is so unobtrusive that an audience can get his points without noticing him make them. ...

With his first film Gold also reveals himself as an excellent director of actors: Nicol Williamson gives a shattering performance as the manic, intransigent Irishman, and all the acting has a fine, astringent quality that compels attention.

"[9] The Spectator wrote: "Nicol Williamson's high-voltage performance is obviously plugged in to some private dynamo: he clears the ground around him, turns it into a kind of disaster area, persuades you that something ominous and intolerable is about to happen.

"[10] Leslie Halliwell said: "Keen, fascinating, but often crude and eventually rather silly expansion of a TV play chiefly notable for the excellent acting opportunities privided by its unattractive but recognisable characters.