The Krays (1990)

User Rating:

6.6/10   

Director:

Peter Medak

Writer:

Philip Ridley (written by)

Release Date:

9 November 1990 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Crime | Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

When People are afraid of you, You can do anything. Remember that.

Plot:

This fact-based movie follows the life of the twin crime-lords in London's 60's underworld.

Plot Keywords:

Twins | Gangster | Crime Boss | Homosexual | London England

Awards:

Nominated for BAFTA Film Award. Another 4 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Billie Whitelaw	...	Violet Kray
Tom Bell	...	Jack 'The Hat' McVitie
Gary Kemp	...	Ronald Kray
Martin Kemp	...	Reggie Kray
Susan Fleetwood	...	Rose
Charlotte Cornwell	...	May
Kate Hardie	...	Frances
Avis Bunnage	...	Helen
Alfred Lynch	...	Charlie Kray
Gary Love	...	Steve
Steven Berkoff	...	George Cornell
Jimmy Jewel	...	Cannonball Lee
Barbara Ferris	...	Mrs. Lawson
Victor Spinetti	...	Mr. Lawson
John McEnery	...	Eddie Pellam

Also Known As:

The Kray Twins (Europe: English title)

Runtime:

119 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Finland:K-18 | France:-12 | Norway:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | USA:R | West Germany:18 | Australia:M

Filming Locations:

Bethnal Green, London, England, UK

Company:

Fugitive TV Productions

Trivia:

Gary Kemp worked out so much to prepare for his role that he gained 20 pounds.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: At the girlfriend’s house, Reggie Kray is seen out in the garden talking to his girlfriend. The neighbor's house clearly has UPVC double glazing. Modern double glazing was not introduced in the UK until the late 1970s and was not popular until the late 1980s.

Quotes:

Violet Kray: Shall I tell you my dream? I dreamed that I was a beautiful white swan. And I could fly anywhere, do anything. I ate fish and pecked at things with my beak. And I had this egg, a beautiful egg it was. And there were noises coming from inside the shell...

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: Gorgo (#10.9)" (1998)

Soundtrack:

Walk Away

Brilliant & Effective storytelling of Britain's worst nightmares!

This was the U.K.'s finest hour with The Krays in the spotlight. The right time and place it was to capture the true story of England's most notorious gangster's terrorising the East-End streets of London.

Shocking and brutal it was as this paints a really bleak and wonderful image of "Mother's little Monsters". Gary and Martin Kemp were truly convincing as the infamous twins, thus capturing the true and creepy feel of the main characters. But it's really Billie Whitelaw who steals the limelight as the forever loving Mother Violet Kray, as she really truly deserves more than her fair share of awards and praises in an unforgettable performance..

Though the film might be dated after some 14 years, it still gives it's chilling effect to the viewer losing none of it's shock value in the process.

Despite being underrated it's still brilliant to watch and should continue to stretch to an even wider audience of today. Let's just hope that no remakes are on the way though?

Hats off to Director Peter Medak, but what was up with him directing that Species II garbage?

Tough but Brilliant viewing.