The Top Five British Gangster Films

Director Rowan Joffe’s updated adaptation of Graham Greene’s classic novel BRIGHTON ROCK receives its DVD and Blu-ray release on June 20th. The second filmed retelling moves from the 1930s inter-war era of Richard Attenborough’s Pinkie to the turbulent underbelly of the swinging sixties. This time it’s Sam Riley who brings us an excellent portrayal of the razor-wielding, disadvantaged teenager, as ruthless as he ambitious and hell bent on clawing his way up through the ranks of organised crime. Joffe’s debut feature embraces the traditional elements of film noir and the classic British gangster film to tell this harrowing story. Capturing the movement with subtle realism, Brighton Rock is the latest in a long line of cult British gangster tales. Here are our favourites of all time.

5) THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY (1980)

A British cinematic first, this film was gutsy enough to tackle our cousins across the pond at a genre they had made their own. Never before had the London underworld been laid bare in such a contemporary way. The gritty thriller that launched Bob Hoskins’ career shows the half-pint hard man as Harold Shand, the undisputed ruling kingpin of the London underworld whose prophetic plans to rejuvenate the Docklands area of London are being threatened. The subsequent plot documents Hoskins’ illustrious and ruthless search for the unseen foe responsible for a series of murders and bombings. He proceeds with the same brutality and menace that took him to the pinnacle of the London underworld to ultimately unravel a disturbing plot of treachery and deceit.

4) GET CARTER (1971)

In arguably one of the finest British gangster films ever produced, acclaimed actor Michael Caine plays professional killer Jack Carter. After learning of the murder of his brother, Carter travels from London to Newcastle where he plots to take revenge on all those responsible for his brother’s untimely demise. Carter becomes Tyneside’s most wanted as crime bosses advise “get Carter, before Carter gets you”. On a tumultuous journey Jack takes out each of his enemies with zero remorse and occasional pleasure. However, can Jacks actions continue without coincidence? Sinister overtones plague this dark drama which exposes the grim and cutthroat nature of the Tyneside underground of the early 70s.

3) LOCK, STOCK AND TWO SMOKING BARRELS (1998)

Guy Richie expertly intertwines a thrilling array of ominous plots and subplots to an astoundingly effective degree in this highly commended mobster epic. Not only is this cult classic a gripping roller coaster of vicious and brutal acts, but it is also responsible for the introduction of some of the actors now synonymous with action and gangster films, such as Vinnie Jones and Jason Statham. Lock Stock follows the story a seedy young card sharp and his thuggish friends who loose £500,000 to a London crime boss in a fixed game of cards. The fiendish foursome is offered the generous ultimatum of a week to come up with the sum before certain extremities are forcibly removed. What ensues is a complex yet exhilarating series of events which can only result in a considerable amount of mindless violence and bloodshed.

2) SNATCH (2000)

Perhaps even more violent and raucous than Lock Stock, Guy Ritchie’s follow up gangster flick certainly lived up to expectation, so much so that many argue that it is even better than its gruesome predecessor. Although completely detached from Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Snatch features many of the same hard-nosed, merciless actors and a similarly complex plot full of twists and surprises. Again set in the criminal underbelly of London, the story tracks two interweaving plots; one dealing with pursuit of a rather large stolen diamond, and the other with a small time boxing promoter and his new gypsy protégé, played by Brad Pitt. True to form, as the film progresses the plotlines merge and befall one colossal scene of carnage.

1) BRIGHTON ROCK (2011)

Sam Riley’s Pinkie styles himself as mod with the ambition of clawing his way to the top of 1960s Brighton’s seedy underworld. Taking cues from film noir and the classic British gangster picture, Brighton Rock paints a thrilling portrait of Pinkie as the razor-wielding youth falls ever further from what little grace he could have had. A murder looks to be Pinkie’s undoing when an innocent young waitress stumbles upon facts that could pose a serious problem. The troubled and misguided young man sets out to silence rising star Andrea Riseborough’s Rose through seduction, but their involvement becomes complex, and Rose’s protectors (Helen Mirren and John Hurt) have other plans.

BRIGHTON ROCK arrives on DVD and Double Play Blu-ray on June 20th.