Toby Kebbell in The Veteran
The Veteran is the gritty, hard-hitting tale of Robert Miller (Toby Kebbell), a young soldier returning from Afghanistan, unable to fit back into society and soon targeted as a clandestine operative to monitor suspected terrorists in Britain.
Set in the high-rises of Elephant and Castle, The Veteran joins the recent surge in urban, British action thrillers.
To celebrate the release of The Veteran on Blu-ray and DVD on August 29th, we take a look at some of the best gritty British films out there.
Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels
The first of Guy Ritchie’s great British crime dramas has become a cult classic and provided the platform for Jason Stathom’s and Vinnie Jones’ breakout roles.
This story of a heist gone wrong features gangsters, drugs, violence, strong language and some sharp comedy, catapulting dark-humored dramas in to the forefront of British cinema.
This Is England
This Is England focuses on the skinhead subculture that appeared in Britain during Margaret Thatcher’s reign in the 1980s.
With a focus on friendship, racism and dealing with life in the 80s, some great dialogue and wonderful cinematography, This Is England is a British classic.
Snatch
Snatch, Guy Ritchie’s second venture into crime dramas, is certainly one of the most memorable.
With the narrative centring around a priceless diamond, it features some colourful characters, such as Brad Pitt’s character, Irish traveller, Mickey O’Neil, the nastiest hard-man of them all ‘Brick-top’ (Alan Ford) and some classic quotes; 'Do you like dogs?'
Snatch is smart and funny but with moments of violence that aren’t for the faint-hearted.
RocknRolla
Written and directed by Guy Ritchie, RocknRolla is a true British gangster movie, revolving around crime lord Lenny and his crooks as he tries to pull off a dodgy deal.
Starring The Veteran’s very own Toby Kebbell as junkie rock star, Johnny Quid, RocknRolla has all the trademarks of a Guy Ritchie film - Russians, dodgy dealings, fast-paced action and witty dialogue.
Harry Brown
Harry Brown focuses on the story of a retired Royal Marine veteran who takes it upon himself to fight the gangs who terrorise his neighbourhood after they murder his best friend.
Michael Caine’s performance as the film’s protagonist is gripping and the film provides an emotional and absorbing storyline, with some truly gut-wrenching scenes.
Kidulthood
Kidulthood tells the story of a day in the life of several London teenagers. The shocking and somewhat disturbing scenes of violence and drug abuse tell a hard-hitting tale of youth-culture in urban Britain.
Fish Tank
Winner of the Outstanding British Film Award at the 2010 BAFTAs, Fish Tank tells the story of Mia, a deprived teenager, excluded from school and living with her alcoholic mother. Her only outlet in life is her love for hip-hop dancing.
That’s until she meets her mother’s new Irish boyfriend... Drama, swearing, violence and unconventional sex, puts it right up there on the gritty scale.
London To Brighton
London To Brighton concentrates on the relationship between middle-aged prostitute Kelly and 11 year-old Joanna.
An unusual friendship, under more unusual circumstances, the film follows the girls on the run to Brighton as they try and escape some very dangerous men, trying to avenge the death of mobster Duncan Allen. Heart-wrenching performances and compelling scenes make it a harrowing but worthy watch.
Shank
Set in the future where gangs rule the street, Shank follows the story of Junior, trying to avenge his brother’s death by the hands of a rival gang.
Following in the footsteps of Kidulthood, Shank is a no holds barred story of revenge, with The Veteran star, Ashley Thomas as as Rager.
The Veteran
Starring Toby Kebbell, as young soldier Robert Miller and Ashley Bashy Thomas as gang leader Tyrone, The Veteran is the story of Miller’s return to civilian life after serving in Afghanistan.
Unable to fit back in to society, and battling with post-traumatic stress syndrome, he is soon targeted as a clandestine operative to monitor suspected terrorists in Britain.
The Veteran is a tension filled, cautionary story of a war closer to home, where nothing is quite as it seems.
The Veteran is out on Blu-ray and DVD now