The Firm 

This is the story of rival "Firms" of football supporters, and how one man has a wish to team them up for the European Championships of 1988. However, when this is discussed, the opposing ... See full summary »

Director:

Alan Clarke

Writer:

Al Ashton (as Al Hunter)

Stars:

Gary Oldman, Lesley Manville, Phil Davis

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Gary Oldman	...	Bex Bissell
Lesley Manville	...	Sue
Phil Davis	...	Yeti (as Philip Davis)
Andrew Wilde	...	Oboe
Charles Lawson	...	Trigg
William Vanderpuye	...	Aitch
Jay Simpson	...	Dominic
Patrick Murray	...	Nunk
Robbie Gee	...	Snowy
Terry Sue-Patt	...	Yusef (as Terry Sue Patt)
Nick Dunning	...	Simon
Nicholas Hewetson	...	Beef
Steve McFadden	...	Billy
Steve Sweeney	...	J.T
Hepburn Graham	...	Stu

Storyline

This is the story of rival "Firms" of football supporters, and how one man has a wish to team them up for the European Championships of 1988. However, when this is discussed, the opposing leaders are not happy, as they believe this is a challenge to their authority. This Film shows how football violence has progressed from pure violence to a form of organized crime, to the extent that all the leaders know each others home phone / mobile phone numbers.

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Plot Keywords:

football | violence | soccer | sociology major | sociologist | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 February 1989 (UK)

Filming Locations:

3 Fennell Street, Woolwich, London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

67 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Gary Oldman and Lesley Manville, who play husband and wife in this film, were married at the time.

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Goofs

The crew meet opposite King's Cross station in London before they travel to Birmingham. Euston station is the usual station for that destination. King's Cross serves the north east of England.

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Quotes

Bex Bissell: How can I put this?
[pause]
Bex Bissell: I can't.
[he headbutts Wes]

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Connections

Remade as The Firm (2009)

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Soundtracks

Bexie
(uncredited)
sung to the tune of "Amazing Grace"
Traditional

User Reviews

Top Film

Firstly, I'd like to say that the first two reviewers for this film have completely missed the point. I could easily take their reviews apart.

This film is as true as can be to portray how the hooligan had evolved from the 70's. The culture had swiftly moved onto the lower-middle classes by the 1980's. No longer did they need to be "Skinheads" or "Working class scum" who used the movement as a means to protest against the state.

In order for the hooligans to survive they had to become more intelligent and more cunning to outwit the police. The football shirts were put in one draw and the suits and cotton shirts were pulled out of another - the element of disguise.

Gary Oldman is Bex, the hilarious yet psychotic estate agent who has one goal - to be top boy in Europe. Along with his crew, The ICC, Bex puts it to two other rival firms that he wishes to lead them all into Europe...but they're having none of it. They let him know that the only way he will get that position is if his best ten can beat theirs.

As well as trying to keep him marriage together Bex battles his way to becoming "top boy"...but does he actually succeed? Alan Clarke's films are always witty, gritty and as realistic as they can get. Its a shame the man made only one more film before being taken from this world (cancer) in 1990.

More realistic than "Football Factory" and "I.D", its highly recommended you watch this Made-For-TV classic.