The film recounts the exploits of notorious 18th-century criminal Jack Sheppard and London "Thief-Taker General" Jonathan Wild.

According to producer Michael Deeley, this was obtained after a pitch made by Martin Baum, Stanley Baker's agent, to Charles Bludhorn, owner of Paramount.

[1] The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "Handsomely mounted, expensively cast, and with a familiar enough story, Where's Jack?

But something is missing – a touch of panache, a particle of real inspiration, perhaps even simply an element of good honest vulgarity ... James Clavell's direction is at times pedestrian, some of the acting is wooden, and there is a very perceptible sag in the middle of the film.

Tommy Steele copes well enough with the relatively simple demands made of him (though occasionally presenting a somewhat hangdog Jack), and Fiona Lewis at least looks her part to perfection, all melting eyes and bouncing bosom.

But the real acting honours go to Dudley Foster and Noel Purcell as Jack's devoted companions .... All in all, an enjoyable if not consistently successful introduction to the predicted new wave of historical romances.