The Krays (DVD)

Synopsis *********** Raised by their over-bearing mother and aunts, Ronnie and Reggie Kray were soon inducted into a world just on the wrong side of law as they became childhood bullies. With their father being a layabout gambler and their grandfather a former prize boxer, short of a couple of marbles, their only parental guidance came from their mother who taught them to be strong, crafty and conceited. Having progressed from childhood bullies into small time thugs, they intimidated the local neighbourhood with their violence and protection rackets. Soon they gained control of several local clubs and as their legal and illegal dealings grew bigger they ...

The Kray Twins, Ronnie and Reggie, were, as I'm sure we all know, a couple of violent thugs who ran a badly organised criminal empire in London's East End in the 1960s. For some reason they became well known, getting to hang out with celebrities like Judy Garland, and having their photo taken by David Bailey. After a few years they were arrested and spent the rest of their lives in prison. In spite of various campaigns, neither was released. Ronnie died in 1995, and Reggie just last year. Somehow, the Krays have achieved legendary status in Britain. The whole of Sixties Gangland London exerts a powerful fascination over people today (as witness Mad ...

So well made, Martin & Gary the Kemp twins (from New Romantic 1980's band Spandau Ballet) playing the Kray twins - infamous British villains. The film is excellent to watch on it's own merits, a story of the Krays lives in gangland Britain from the second world war right through to modern day. To discover that the film is based on real events that have actually happened puts the film on a whole new level when you watch it. Only a few of the original locations that featured in the lives of the Krays still survive into current day. The most well known would be the pub where they meet Jack "The Hat" McVitie. Some of the best scenes of the ...