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Bronson (2008)

R | | Action, Biography, Crime | 13 March 2009 (UK)
Bronson Poster
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A young man who was sentenced to seven years in prison for robbing a post office ends up spending three decades in solitary confinement. During this time, his own personality is supplanted by his alter-ego, Charles Bronson.

Director:

Nicolas Winding Refn

Writers:

Brock Norman Brock (screenplay), Nicolas Winding Refn (screenplay)

Stars:

Tom Hardy, Kelly Adams, Luing Andrews | See full cast & crew »
71
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Popularity
2,109 ( 76)
3 wins & 6 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tom Hardy ... Charles Bronson / Michael Peterson
Kelly Adams ... Irene
Luing Andrews ... Hysterical Screw
Katy Barker ... Julie
Gordon Brown Gordon Brown ... Screw
Amanda Burton ... Charlie's Mum
Mark Devenport Mark Devenport ... Nurse 1 (as Mark Davenport)
Paul Donnelly Paul Donnelly ... Screw
Andrew Forbes Andrew Forbes ... Charlie's Dad
Jon House Jon House ... Webber
Matt King ... Paul Daniels
James Lance ... Phil
Holly Lucas Holly Lucas ... Young Man
Juliet Oldfield ... Alison
Jonny Phillips ... Prison Governor
See full cast »
Edit

Storyline

In 1974, a hot-headed 19 year old named Michael Peterson decided he wanted to make a name for himself and so, with a homemade sawn-off shotgun and a head full of dreams he attempted to rob a post office. Swiftly apprehended and originally sentenced to seven years in jail, Peterson has subsequently been behind bars for 34 years, 30 of which have been spent in solitary confinement. During that time, Michael Petersen, the boy, faded away and 'Charles Bronson,' his superstar alter ego, took center stage. Inside the mind of Bronson - a scathing indictment of celebrity culture. Written by Anonymous

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

prison | sadism | art teacher | mustache | brutality | See All (203) »

Taglines:

The Man. The Myth. The Celebrity. See more »

Genres:

Action | Biography | Crime | Drama

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violent and disturbing content, graphic nudity, sexuality and language | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Details

Country:

UK | Cayman Islands

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 March 2009 (UK) See more »

Also Known As:

Бронсон See more »

Filming Locations:

Great Central Railway, Leicestershire, England, UK See more »
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Box Office

Opening Weekend:

£258,360 (United Kingdom), 15 March 2009, Limited Release

Opening Weekend USA:

$10,940, 9 October 2009, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$104,792, 27 December 2009
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

Production Co:

Vertigo Films, Aramid Entertainment Fund, Str8jacket Creations See more »
Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | DTS (uncredited)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

When the real life Charles Bronson was moved to Parkhurst Prison in 1976, he befriended the notorious Kray Twins. Coincidentally enough, Tom Hardy would later portray both of the Kray twins in the film Legend (2015). See more »

Goofs

In the movie, Michael's/Charles' loot from the post office robbery is some £42 and small change. In reality, it was £26.18. See more »

Quotes

Charles Bronson: [Bronson getting paid after his first fight] 20 quid? You're having a fucking laugh, ain't cha?
Paul: Oh spare me the Oliver Twist routine, Charlie love. You need to build your audience.
Charles Bronson: I gave you fucking magic in there!
Paul: Magic? You just pissed on a gypsy in the middle of fucking nowhere. Hardly the hottest ticket in town, darling
See more »

Connections

Referenced in Pervert Park (2014) See more »

Soundtracks

Meet Mr Callaghan
Written by Eric Spear (as Spear)
Performed by Ray Martin (as Ray Martin Orchestra)
Published by Sony/ATV Music Publishing
Courtesy of EMI Recoreds Limited © 1954
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What song is played when?
See more »

User Reviews

 
An excellent portrayal of Britain's most notorious prisoner.
15 November 2009 | by lmighten – See all my reviews

This is a fantastic depiction of Charles Bronson, born Michael Peterson, Britain's most infamous and notorious prisoner. Director Nicholas Winding Refn invites us into Bronson's imagination, with parts of the film shot from the perspective of him being on stage in front of an adoring audience. The rest of the film is a dramatization of Bronson's life and times in prison.

Bronson was initially incarcerated for seven years for the robbery of a post office where he stole £26.18. However he has spent 34 years in prison and psychiatric wards so far, and is still there, spending 30 of them in solitary confinement. He has been involved in fighting, brawls and hostage taking which led to his increased sentence, and he seems to enjoy it. No lives have been lost.

This is an excellent performance from Tom Hardy –funny, thoroughly engaging and intense. He physically transformed himself for this role and obviously studied Bronson vigorously to accurately portray his mannerisms.

A thoroughly compelling film. A must see!
44 of 58 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you? | Report this
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