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 ...  Read the complete review

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 ...  Read the complete review

The Brits don't have the money like the Americans do when it comes to making gangster flicks -but this isn't necessarily a bad thing. The Krays prefers to concentrate on the domestic lives of the two London-based, organised crime leaders Ronnie and Reggie Kray, rather than making a statement of what is real and what is false in a glamorised manner. Yes, you could argue that making a film about the two notorious East-end criminals is already a form of glamorisation, but the story actually provides very little insight into their involvement with various crime syndicates. Instead of just elaborating on the celebrity status of the twins, it explores ...  Read the complete review

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 ...  Read the complete review

Gary and Martin Kemp star in this brutally stark account of the absolute rulers of Londons' Eastend underworld through their reign of terror in the 1950's and 60's. This movie is superbly acted by two powerful performances from its two leading actors as well as featuring an outstanding supporting performance from Billie Whitelaw in the role of the Krays' mother. The film loses its depth on one or two occasions but gladly violence is not an intrusive part to the film as was predicted by some critics. of course the scenes of violence that are in the film are of the most darkest and brutal nature. All in all this emerges as one of the best gangster films in ...  Read the complete review