Chronicles the rise and fall of a prominent, and particularly ruthless English gangster.Chronicles the rise and fall of a prominent, and particularly ruthless English gangster.Chronicles the rise and fall of a prominent, and particularly ruthless English gangster.
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
14K
YOUR RATING
- Director
- Writers
- Johnny Ferguson(screenplay adaptation)
- Louis Mellis(original screenplay)
- David Scinto(original screenplay)
- Stars
Top credits
- Director
- Writers
- Johnny Ferguson(screenplay adaptation)
- Louis Mellis(original screenplay)
- David Scinto(original screenplay)
- Stars
- Awards
- 1 win & 9 nominations
Videos1
Kenneth Cranham
- Tommyas Tommy
- (as Ken Cranham)
Martin Read
- Rough Diamondas Rough Diamond
- (as Martyn Read)
- Director
- Writers
- Johnny Ferguson(screenplay adaptation)
- Louis Mellis(original screenplay)
- David Scinto(original screenplay)
- All cast & crew
- See more cast details at IMDbPro
Storyline
A middle-aged crime boss smugly reflects back from 1999, narrating the brutality which made him triumphant - and feared. As an unnamed young hood in Swinging 60's London, he aped his mod boss Freddie Mays, and seemed to do anything for him. But his narration exposes all-consuming envy: of Freddie's supremacy, and especially his tall bird. The baby shark develops his viciousness and backstabbing, scheming to be Gangster No. 1. —David Stevens
- Taglines
- There can only be ONE.
- Genres
- Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
- Rated R for strong brutal violence, pervasive language, and brief drug use and nudity
- Parents guide
Did you know
- TriviaPaul McGuigan: at the urinal in the opening scene.
- GoofsBeyond the height differential, the two actors playing "Gangster" have very different eye color. This is especially noticeable, as they continually ask people to "look them in the eye".
- Quotes
[repeated line]
Young Gangster: Look into my eyes. Look into my fucking eyes.
- ConnectionsFeatured in O Lucky Malcolm! (2006)
- SoundtracksThe Good Life
(La Belle Vie)
Music by Sacha Distel
French lyrics by Jean Broussolle
English lyrics by Jack Reardon
Published by Prosadis S.A.
Performed by Neil Hannon
Music Arranged and Recorded by John Dankworth
Neil Hannon appears courtesy of EMI Records Ltd
Top review
A Great Movie of Gangsters
The story begins in 1999, with an old gangster performed by Malcolm McDowell being advised that Freddie Mays (David Thewlis) would leave jail after thirty years in prison. His mood changes and he recalls 1968, when he was a young punk (performed by Paul Bettany), and he joined Freddie Mays' gang, his envy of his mob boss and his betrayal. The whole story of these two characters is presented slowly, alternating violent and luxury places and action. I liked this movie a lot. I would dare to say that it mixes 'Goodfellas', 'Casino', 'Pulp Fiction' and 'Reservoir Dogs'. Paul Bettany has a great performance as a psycho-killer: differently of those sadists in Hollywood movies that make grimaces, the simple look and expression of Paul Bettany is enough to terrify the viewer. The direction is great, and there is one specific scene that I appreciated very much. When Freddie Mays invites Paul Bettany's character to have a drink in a nightclub: Freddie is giving his overcoat to the attendant and the image of Paul Bettany is reflected in the glass of the door exactly over Freddie. The selection of Paul Bettany for this role is perfect, but why not ages him through make-up? Malcolm McDowell looks totally different from Paul Bettany! My vote is eight.
Title (Brazil): "Os Gangsters" ("The Gangsters")
Title (Brazil): "Os Gangsters" ("The Gangsters")
helpful•329
- claudio_carvalho
- Aug 12, 2003
Details
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $30,915
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $5,514
- Jun 16, 2002
- Gross worldwide
- $30,915
- Runtime1 hour 43 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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