The Long Good Friday (1980)

An up-and-coming gangster is tested by the insurgence of an unknown, very powerful threat.

Director:

John Mackenzie

Writer:

Barrie Keeffe

Stars:

Bob Hoskins, Helen Mirren, Paul Freeman

Nominated for 1 BAFTA Film Award. Another 2 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Paul Freeman	...	Colin
Leo Dolan	...	Phil
Kevin McNally	...	Irish Youth
Patti Love	...	Carol
P.H. Moriarty	...	Razors
Derek Thompson	...	Jeff
Bryan Marshall	...	Harris
Bob Hoskins	...	Harold
Helen Mirren	...	Victoria
Ruby Head	...	Harold's Mother
Charles Cork	...	Eric
Olivier Pierre	...	Chef
Pierce Brosnan	...	1st Irishman
Daragh O'Malley	...	2nd Irishman
Dave King	...	Parky

Storyline

Harold, a prosperous English gangster, is about to close a lucrative new deal when bombs start showing up in very inconvenient places. A mysterious syndicate is trying to muscle in on his action, and Harold wants to know who they are. He finds out soon enough, and bloody mayhem ensues.

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Plot Keywords:

bomb | gangster | elevator | slaughterhouse | male rear nudity | 

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Taglines:

Who lit the fuse that tore Harold's world apart?

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Details

Official Sites:

Handmade Films Website

Country:

UK

Language:

English French

Release Date:

2 April 1982 (USA)

Also Known As:

Crni petak za gangstere

Filming Locations:

The Salisbury Hotel, Green Lanes, Haringey, London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Black Lion Films, Calendar Productions, HandMade Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

114 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Writer Barrie Keeffe drew on his experiences as a cub reporter for London's Stratford Express paper in the 1960s, when the Kray twins ruled the East End. He met a few criminals who ended up in small roles in the film.

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Goofs

The last shot of the swimming pool being drained is actually water coming in, but shown in reverse.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Colin: Two large Bushmills, please, darlin'.

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Connections

Featured in At the Movies: The Long Good Friday/Class of 1984/Lola/Pink Floyd The Wall (1982)

User Reviews

Bob Hoskins makes this...

Very much in the tradition of the American gangster films of the 30s and 40s, this movie centres around a bravura performance by the central gangster (Edward G Robinson/James Cagney then; Bob Hoskins now). Bob Hoskins raves and fights against a world that is rapidly moving beyond his control and, although he is an unpleasant, violent and vicious character, you end up caring for him.

Interesting also as a historical snapshot of a period in London's history (the redevelopment of the Docklands) now gone.