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The Long Good Friday

  • 19801980
  • RR
  • 1h 54m
IMDb RATING
7.6/10
23K
YOUR RATING
The Long Good Friday (1980)
Trailer for this thriller about a British crime boss who has a very bad day
Play trailer2:43
2 Videos
85 Photos
CrimeDramaMystery
An up-and-coming gangster is tested by the insurgence of an unknown, very powerful threat.An up-and-coming gangster is tested by the insurgence of an unknown, very powerful threat.An up-and-coming gangster is tested by the insurgence of an unknown, very powerful threat.
IMDb RATING
7.6/10
23K
YOUR RATING
    • John Mackenzie
    • Barrie Keeffe
  • Stars
    • Bob Hoskins
    • Helen Mirren
    • Paul Freeman
    • John Mackenzie
    • Barrie Keeffe
  • Stars
    • Bob Hoskins
    • Helen Mirren
    • Paul Freeman
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 166User reviews
    • 91Critic reviews
    • 82Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award

    Videos2

    The Long Good Friday
    Trailer 2:43
    Watch The Long Good Friday
    The Long Good Friday
    Trailer 2:05
    Watch The Long Good Friday

    Photos85

    The Long Good Friday (1980)
    The Long Good Friday (1980)
    Bob Hoskins in The Long Good Friday (1980)
    Helen Mirren and Bob Hoskins in The Long Good Friday (1980)
    Helen Mirren and Bob Hoskins in The Long Good Friday (1980)
    Helen Mirren and Bob Hoskins in The Long Good Friday (1980)
    The Long Good Friday (1980)
    Bob Hoskins in The Long Good Friday (1980)
    Bob Hoskins in The Long Good Friday (1980)
    The Long Good Friday (1980)
    Helen Mirren and Bob Hoskins in The Long Good Friday (1980)
    Bob Hoskins in The Long Good Friday (1980)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Bob Hoskins
    Bob Hoskins
    • Harold
    Helen Mirren
    Helen Mirren
    • Victoria
    Paul Freeman
    Paul Freeman
    • Colin
    Leo Dolan
    • Phil
    Kevin McNally
    Kevin McNally
    • Irish Youth
    Patti Love
    Patti Love
    • Carol
    P.H. Moriarty
    P.H. Moriarty
    • Razors
    Derek Thompson
    Derek Thompson
    • Jeff
    Bryan Marshall
    Bryan Marshall
    • Harris
    Ruby Head
    • Harold's Mother
    Charles Cork
    Charles Cork
    • Eric
    Olivier Pierre
    • Chef
    Pierce Brosnan
    Pierce Brosnan
    • 1st Irishman
    Daragh O'Malley
    Daragh O'Malley
    • 2nd Irishman
    Dave King
    Dave King
    • Parky
    Karl Howman
    • David
    Brian Hall
    Brian Hall
    • Alan
    Alan Ford
    Alan Ford
    • Jack
      • John Mackenzie
      • Barrie Keeffe
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Bob Hoskins' voice was dubbed over by a Wolverhampton actor, for fear Americans wouldn't understand his London accent. After Hoskins threatened to sue Jack Gill and British Lion (the original producers before HandMade bought the rights), the dubbing was removed. He was supported by Richard Burton, Sir Alec Guinness, and Warren Beatty.
    • Goofs
      The last shot of the swimming pool being drained is actually water coming in, but shown in reverse.
    • Quotes

      Pool Attendant: They kept it all incognito. They're gonna collect the body in an ice cream van.

      Harold: There's a lot of dignity in that, isn't there? Going out like a raspberry ripple.

    • Connections
      Featured in Scrubbers (1982)

    User reviews166

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    9/10
    A long, damn good film.
    When thinking back over the decades of British gangtser films, The Long Good Friday stands out in memory. This is due to the way the story is executed and the way a certain degree of suspense is held throughout.

    Everything starts off well in this film. We're shown a rather perplexing, confusing but well shot sequence involving several people and a couple of deaths over what seems to be a case of money. We hear nothing of these events until much later in the film, keeping it at the back of our minds and creating a certain shock element when we eventually realise everything that's come together.

    After the dramatic introduction, everything is toned down slightly as Harold Shand (Hoskins), the man of the film, is introduced to a rather catchy theme tune. His world is also introduced to us through very good use of London iconography as we realise he's rich, got plenty of friends and also has a good looking girl; with his biggest problem seeming to be what nationality to make the chef for his next get-together. With so many faces being introduced and so much pleasurable interaction, the events that follow fuelled by great hate for Harold are rather shocking as they are surprising and that's what really kicks this film off on a good path.

    What's also good about the film as well as fascinating is that it takes a certain detective route. So many crime and gangster films often use a revenge plot or a hierarchy technique whereas this one, the enemy is unknown and the hierarchy has already been climbed. He's on his own with two or three of his most trusted accomplices attempting to discover what the hell's going on and this is very interesting as we find out what they find out, and at the same time as they do creating a nice, steady, plodding feeling of consistency.

    As the battles and discoveries occur whilst the film wears on, numerous desperate situations are dragged out in a gritty and entertaining way such as Harold's relationship with his girl that is starting to fall apart amongst the terror and confusion, the personal battle with the American businessmen who foil Harold on several occasions and the question marks that arise over loyalties within his own organisation, as well as disagreements with his crooked policeman colleague and rival gangs. Not only are these scenes and plot points gripping; amusing dialogue and good one-liners from Harold himself help move them along.

    As the film reaches its final third and Harold gets closer to the truth, the film reminded me of the original 'Get Carter' when Jack realises who's behind it all. Our anti-hero gets more and more angry and each scene gets more and more intense, culminating in pure chaos at a race car track and a monologue of insults at the American's who, up to this point, have had Harold and his outfit rolling over for them.

    With strong acting performances all round and an impressive, well paced plot; The Long Good Friday has managed to sneak into my personal favourites list and definitely withstands the test of time.
    helpful•75
    8
    • johnnyboyz
    • Sep 20, 2006

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 2, 1982 (United States)
      • United Kingdom
      • Handmade Films Website
      • English
      • French
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • Brixton, London, Greater London, England, UK
    • Production companies
      • Black Lion Films
      • Calendar Productions
      • HandMade Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • 1 hour 54 minutes
      • Color
      • Mono

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