Harry Brown (2009)

An elderly ex-serviceman and widower looks to avenge his best friend's murder by doling out his own form of justice.

Director:

Daniel Barber

Writer:

Gary Young (screenplay)

Stars:

Michael Caine, Emily Mortimer, David Bradley

1 win & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Michael Caine	...	Harry Brown
Emily Mortimer	...	D.I. Alice Frampton
Charlie Creed-Miles	...	D.S. Terry Hicock (as Charlie Creed Miles)
David Bradley	...	Leonard Attwell
Iain Glen	...	S.I. Childs
Sean Harris	...	Stretch
Plan B	...	Noel Winters (as Ben Drew)
Jack O'Connell	...	Marky
Jamie Downey	...	Carl
Lee Oakes	...	Dean Saunders
Joseph Gilgun	...	Kenny
Liam Cunningham	...	Sid Rourke
Marva Alexander	...	Nurse #1
Liz Daniels	...	Kath Brown
Marvin Campbell	...	Stunt Neighbour (as Marvin Stewart-Campbell)

Storyline

In England, retired Royal Marine Harry Brown spends his lonely life between the hospital, where his beloved wife Kath is terminally ill, and playing chess with his only friend Leonard Attwell in the Barge pub owned by Sid Rourke. After the death of Kath, Len tells his grieving friend the local gang is harassing him and he is carrying an old bayonet for self-defence. Harry suggests he to go to the police. When Len is beaten, and stabbed to deatry detective Inspector Alice Frampton and her partner Sergeant Terry Hicock are sent to investigate. They pay Harry a visit but don't have good news; the police have not found any other evidence, other than the bayonet, in order to arrest the hoodlums. This mean that should the case go to trial the gang would claim self-defence. Harry Brown sees that justice will not be granted and decides to take matters into his own hands.

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Plot Keywords:

self defense | vigilantism | vigilante | hooded sweatshirt | cell phone video | 

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Taglines:

Every man has a breaking point.

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong violence and language throughout, drug use and sexual content

Did You Know?

Trivia

Theatrical movie debut of director Daniel Barber.

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Goofs

The underpass in the movie is around 30 miles from Harry's house in south London where the movie is set. When Harry looks out of a broken window at the kids in the underpass you can see the road sign showing right for Dagenham left for Marks Gate. Additionally, there is no canal on either side or high rise buildings like Harry's home anywhere near so they used a different location for those shots.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Man1: Do you want it, fella, huh?
Man2: Yeah.
Man1: Because you wanted this yesterday, brother. You wanna do this shit?
Man2: Let's go.

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Connections

Referenced in Post Mortem with Mick Garris: William Friedkin (2011)

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Soundtracks

I Love London (Delta Heavy Remix)
Performed by Crystal Fighters
Written by Gilbert Vierich, Sebastian Pringle, Graham Dickson
Produced by Crystal Fighters
Remixed by Delta Heavy
Published by Copyright Control
(p) 2009 Crystal Fighters exclusively licensed to Kitsune

User Reviews

Modern Britain

This film accurately depicts life in modern Britain today.

Not the image of a flowing rolling countryside of middle class England which is often depicted in typical international films but one of an inner city "sink" estate - Elephant & Castle in London - with all of its associated problems.

I saw the film last night and it brought back all the memories I have of having lived in similar circumstances.

Michael Caine is excellent, this is probably one of his best films and I expect film nominations for his role.

The film gives a gritty but realistic view of the life most people live on the sink estates of Britain, all are there through no choice of their own, but some are aware of the conditions they are forced to live in.

I don't think we'll see the British government promoting this film as it portraits the country in a very bad light, though, if you are not from Britain and would like a taste of what some of us have to put up with I recommend you see this film.

Overall, a very well put together film which will make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up at times.

Well done Michael and all of the team.

Details

Official Sites:

Samuel Goldwyn Films [United States]

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 May 2010 (USA)

Also Known As:

Harry Brown

Filming Locations:

A12 in Marks Gate, Essex, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$7,300,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$173,353, 2 May 2010

Gross USA:

$1,818,681

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$10,371,451

Company Credits

Production Co:

Marv Films, UK Film Council, HanWay Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min 97 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1