Bellman and True is a 1987 film based on the novel of the same name by Desmond Lowden. The film was written and directed by Richard Loncraine. It stars Bernard Hill, Derek Newark and Richard Hope. The title comes from an old Cumberland song titled "D’ye Ken John Peel", specifically the lyric:Yes, I ken John Peel and Ruby too.Ranter and Ringwood, Bellman and True.From a find to a check, from a check to a view,From a view to a death in the morning. The title uses a pun in the term Bellman which in the film's case refers to a criminal who specialises in disabling intruder alarm systems.