THE POT CARRIERS is a low budget prison drama that never really provides much in the way of interest, although all of the right ingredients are included at times. I suppose it's because the lack of money means that there's little in the way of drama or directorial flourishes, while the elements of storyline have been done so many times before, often better than they play out here. Paul Massie is the prisoner who enters jail after an act of violence and becomes involved with the charlatans and scammers inside. Shades of the future TV show PORRIDGE come from Ronald Fraser's likeable scallywag, while the supporting cast is of most interest: Eddie Byrne, Dennis Price, Neil McCarthy and in particular a truly evil Alfred Burke all provide solid support.

This film came first - Porridge came 12 years later and is I think Pot Carriers with jokes and a comic lead - but lacking the intricate and authentic plot and character portrayals of the original. Ronald Fraser is good - if you follow what he's about. He's proud to be a professional thief and is not sitting out his sentence but boosting his "professional" reputation by the neatness of the scams he works inside - to earn him big respect when he comes out. A sunny likable manner, gets on with everyone and apparently keeping his nose clean is earning him maximum remission. Best of all, he and his associates are as they put it "Living like Kings" eating better food than the screws who are themselves being paid off from the proceeds to look the other way. The complicated interlocking barter economy is clever and sounds believable> He's neither Bogart nor Ronny Barker - the part doesnt call for either but he dominates the film. Porridge, having seen this, appears something of a rip-off

Ronnie Fraser was a well established character actor.In this film set in prison he plays the predecessor of Fletcher in Porridge.The production company Associated British tried in the trailer and in the press to make out not only that he was a new star but the new Bogart.Well clearly that was rather wishful thinking.Prison films of this era would come in 2 forms.Firstly the serious prison drama such as The Criminal or comedies such as Two Way Strech..This film seems to fall between both genres.This film verse uneasily between the two.Carole Lesley plays the waiting woman in what would be her last film.Her career faded out after this and sadly she committed suicide.This is a reasonable prison film but Fraser is no match for Ronnie Barkers Fletcher.