Canada's own Clyde Barrow, Edwin Boyd, was Toronto's public enemy number one in the late 1940s and early 1950s, and Edwin Boyd: Citizen Gangster from writer-director Nathan Morlando brings his legend to the screen for the first time.

Canadian Scott Speedman gives a strong, charismatic performance as Boyd, who returns from duty after the Second World War to a country that has turned a blind eye to its veterans.

Unable to provide for his wife Doreen (Kelly Reilly) and their children, and seeing only disappointment in the face of his policeman father (Brian Cox), Boyd turns to crime.

Recruiting a band of small-time crooks he meets during a prison stint, Boyd forges them into a crack team of professional thieves and launches a headline-grabbing series of flamboyant bank robberies that mix force and farce.

Switching effortlessly from crackling caper film to tragic drama to deeply felt romance, Edwin Boyd: Citizen Gangster was one of the key Canadian films of 2011.

Edwin Boyd: Citizen Gangster (PG) shows at The ACT on Feb. 25 as part of its Golden Ears Film Series at 7: 30 p.m.

The ACT Arts Centre & Theatre is located at 11944 Haney Pl., Maple Ridge.

Tickets are $11 and are on sale now at The ACT ticket centre, or by calling 604-476-2787, or going to www.theactmapleridge.org.