Makes you wonder if justice was really served
Added 1/9/2008
The real crime is that this film is not available on DVD in the US. Peter Medak's brutally violent gangster film based on the lives of Ronald and Reggie Kray who were played brilliantly by the Kemp brothers who fronted the 80s pop band, Spandau Ballet. Guy Ritchie's films don't cut it when it comes to British gangster films trust me. This is the real deal.
This is an intelligent biopic of Britain's most infamous gangsters, the twins who made life safe for East Enders when they weren't running protection rackets or inflicting gangland punishments on rival mobsters. To be fair, writer Philip Ridley and director Peter Medak largely avoid glamorizing the violent world of Reggie and Ronnie, and are more interested in unraveling the complex personalities of the two brothers. They are helped by surprisingly convincing lead performances from Martin and Gary Kemp, then better known from their kilt-wearing days with rock group Spandau Ballet, although Billie Whitelaw effortlessly rises above everybody else in the star-studded cast as the boys' best friend, their mom.
This is a hell of a feature film/documentary. tru to life account of what happened during the reign of the Kray twins and gang war with the Richardson's, including jack the hat etc.
2 out of 2 people found this helpful.
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Excellent
Added 4/25/2006
A vastly intelligent and utterly compelling biopic of Britain's most famous gangsters. When they weren't running shady protection rackets or inflicting horrific, gangland punishment on rival mobsters, the twin brothers contrarily made life generally safe for East Enders.
Writer Phillips Ridley and director Peter Medak shrewdly focus on the brothers complex personalities, showing their devotion as brothers to one another, their fierce loyalty to their mother and the rest of their family and their manically controlling and possessive hold over their lovers.
The film begins during World War 2 showing how the young Krays adapted to life in the East End during the war and some of the unscrupulous characters they met along the way as children which inevitably had some sort of psychological influence on them when they grew up.
The film chronicles their rise as rulers of the underworld and complimenting the rich, fine dialogue are the films two leading actors - a fantastic turn from ex- Spandau ballet members and real-life brothers, Martin and Gary kemp. Both put in concentrated, naturalistic and convincing performances.
Billie Whitelaw shines as their mother (who went on to win an oscar for her performance as Best Supporting Actress). Never once does she shrink to stereotype which is always so easy the case in roles such as these.
The film evokes a tense atmosphere throughout, building on suspense as the Krays steadily build their empire with a string of nightclubs and their protection rackets.
Some of the violent occurences in the film are stomach churning such as where one of the Krays sticks a sword directly through a rival mobsters palm whilst the bloody climax is played out to perfection.
Supporting performances from the likes of Tom Bell as Jack "the hat" Mcvitie, Susan Fleetwood as Charlotte Cornwell May and Kate Hardie as Frances are all equally superb and effective, each biting into their roles with seemingly a vengenace and making the most of every scene they're in.
A must see film that is gripping from beginning through to the bitter end!
4 out of 4 people found this helpful.
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If only on dvd
Added 8/9/2005
Why isnt this movie on dvd in the USA? Its one of the best movies about gangsters Ive ever seen.
6 out of 6 people found this helpful.
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Gary Kemp Rules!
Added 4/3/2005
Besides all the glorious years of Spandau Ballet Gary Kemp showed us that yes, he has more in him than writing awesome songs and playing a guitar! HE CAN ACT! "The Krays"...starring little brother Martin Kemp...is not to be missed if you're a fan of mob movies! Gary is hypnotising in this movie! If you're simply a fan of Spandau Ballet you'll enjoy seeing Gary and Martin, if you like a great mob movie you'll love "The Krays"! Gary Kemp is wonderful!
6 out of 8 people found this helpful.
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Stylized vision of violence
Added 1/11/2004
I have 80% of my VHS and DVD collection at my workplace; coworkers are free to sign out a video. No one, except me, likes "The Krays." I love it. The style, the color, the pacing (especially the pacing), make this movie strong and gripping. I love that the Kray "bruvvas" (brothers) are played by real-life brothers, the Kemps; they have a chemistry. Watch how the one brother's wife falls apart over time: I could identify with her; it is an implosion, not an explosion. At one point you see the lower-class street filled with the black Rolls-Royces of crime colleagues, followed by tea and cookies served by the Kray brothers' mother (look at your own mother and feel free to judge): a touch of biological family and neighborly values mixed with neighborhood cultural leadership through violence and greed. This film is useful for its documentary value, for viewers who know nothing about the Krays; it is worth seeing by any viewer for its beauty and style. I can only guess, regarding my coworkers who dislike it, that their dislike comes from its non-Hollywood feel.
12 out of 13 people found this helpful.
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Makes you wonder if justice was really served
Added 1/9/2008
The real crime is that this film is not available on DVD in the US. Peter Medak's brutally violent gangster film based on the lives of Ronald and Reggie Kray who were played brilliantly by the Kemp brothers who fronted the 80s pop band, Spandau Ballet. Guy Ritchie's films don't cut it when it comes to British gangster films trust me. This is the real deal.
This is an intelligent biopic of Britain's most infamous gangsters, the twins who made life safe for East Enders when they weren't running protection rackets or inflicting gangland punishments on rival mobsters. To be fair, writer Philip Ridley and director Peter Medak largely avoid glamorizing the violent world of Reggie and Ronnie, and are more interested in unraveling the complex personalities of the two brothers. They are helped by surprisingly convincing lead performances from Martin and Gary Kemp, then better known from their kilt-wearing days with rock group Spandau Ballet, although Billie Whitelaw effortlessly rises above everybody else in the star-studded cast as the boys' best friend, their mom.
This is a hell of a feature film/documentary. tru to life account of what happened during the reign of the Kray twins and gang war with the Richardson's, including jack the hat etc.
2 out of 2 people found this helpful.
|
Excellent
Added 4/25/2006
A vastly intelligent and utterly compelling biopic of Britain's most famous gangsters. When they weren't running shady protection rackets or inflicting horrific, gangland punishment on rival mobsters, the twin brothers contrarily made life generally safe for East Enders.
Writer Phillips Ridley and director Peter Medak shrewdly focus on the brothers complex personalities, showing their devotion as brothers to one another, their fierce loyalty to their mother and the rest of their family and their manically controlling and possessive hold over their lovers.
The film begins during World War 2 showing how the young Krays adapted to life in the East End during the war and some of the unscrupulous characters they met along the way as children which inevitably had some sort of psychological influence on them when they grew up.
The film chronicles their rise as rulers of the underworld and complimenting the rich, fine dialogue are the films two leading actors - a fantastic turn from ex- Spandau ballet members and real-life brothers, Martin and Gary kemp. Both put in concentrated, naturalistic and convincing performances.
Billie Whitelaw shines as their mother (who went on to win an oscar for her performance as Best Supporting Actress). Never once does she shrink to stereotype which is always so easy the case in roles such as these.
The film evokes a tense atmosphere throughout, building on suspense as the Krays steadily build their empire with a string of nightclubs and their protection rackets.
Some of the violent occurences in the film are stomach churning such as where one of the Krays sticks a sword directly through a rival mobsters palm whilst the bloody climax is played out to perfection.
Supporting performances from the likes of Tom Bell as Jack "the hat" Mcvitie, Susan Fleetwood as Charlotte Cornwell May and Kate Hardie as Frances are all equally superb and effective, each biting into their roles with seemingly a vengenace and making the most of every scene they're in.
A must see film that is gripping from beginning through to the bitter end!
4 out of 4 people found this helpful.
|
If only on dvd
Added 8/9/2005
Why isnt this movie on dvd in the USA? Its one of the best movies about gangsters Ive ever seen.
6 out of 6 people found this helpful.
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