Rise of the Footsoldier
While it might be an American invention, the British are no slouches when it comes to gangsters movies - from Get Carter to The Long Good Friday, there's plenty of UK films that can hold a candle to Scorsese and Coppola.
One of the rawest, most extreme examples of the genre is 2007’s cult Rise of the Footsoldier, which follows the rise of real-life hardman Carlton Leach to his powerful status amongst the gangster underworld.
December sees the release of an all new Extreme Extended Edition of the film hit DVD and Blu-ray, with an extra 20 minutes of never before seen footage. Which gives us the perfect opportunity to look down 10 of the best Brit gangster flicks.
- Get Carter
This 1971 crime classic stars Michael Caine as London gangster Jack Carter who returns home to Newcastle following his brother’s death, suspecting foul play.
Although not set in London, Caine brings the city and its gangster underground with him to Newcastle, intent upon seeking vengeance with every new shot. Get Carter could quite possibly be the defining British gangster thriller.
Click here to buy Get Carter on DVD
- The Krays
The eponymous brothers, here played by Gary and Martin Kemp, have their notorious lives mapped out on-screen, providing the two gangsters with some form of humanity; whether through their relationship with their loving mother Violet (Billie Whitelaw) or in the way in which Reginald is somewhat led astray by his more violent sibling.
This 1990 film does well in providing an understanding of the story more than any urban myths ever could.
Click here to buy The Krays on DVD
- Layer Cake
Not only an underrated effort in the canon of British gangster films but an underrated film in general, Matthew Vaughn’s directorial debut Layer Cake (2004) stars the future Mr. Bond Daniel Craig as the unnamed drug dealer who is forced to turn gangster on the eve of his retirement.
Boasting a whole host of British talent, ranging from Tom Hardy and Sally Hawkins, Layer Cake displays the criminal underworld Vaughn (producer of both Lock, Stock and Snatch) went on to somewhat explore in Kick-Ass.
Click here to buy Layer Cake on DVD
- Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels
This film deserves to be mentioned among the best of British gangster films thanks to its introduction of three modern gangster film staples Guy Ritchie, Vinnie Jones and Jason Statham.
Playing with the narrative in a Tarantino-esque fashion, Ritchie compiles a cracking British cast in his heist film, perfectly pitting them against the backdrop of London’s criminal underworld. A commendable debut.
Click here to buy Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels
- Sexy Beast
Jonathan Glazer’s directorial debut has long been established as a cult, earning Ben Kingsley an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role as C-word spouting sociopath Don Logan (he lost out to Jim Broadbent in Iris.)
Set in a Spanish Villa, the film follows Ray Winstone’s retired gangster attempting to live an idyllic life with ex-porn star wife Deedee (Amanda Redman) only to be interrupted by Logan who wants to drag him back to London for a bank heist.
Before too long, the action flits back to London, and these characters fit their murky surroundings better than ever in this gem of a gangster flick.
- Snatch
If Lock, Stock introduced the world to Guy Ritchie, it was Snatch that showed he was here to solidify himself as a member of the British directing elite.
Intertwining two different strands (one involving a stolen diamond, the other a boxing promoter - yep, played by Jason Statham,) Snatch may be similar to Ritchie’s debut in theme, but it stands alone as an original outing, perhaps enhanced by memorable character turns from Benicio Del Toro, Vinnie Jones and Brad Pitt as a gypsy called Mickey.
Click here to buy Snatch on DVD
- The Long Good Friday
Providing Bob Hoskins with his breakout role as a London kingpin, The Long Good Friday is a brilliant snapshot of the criminal underworld in South London during the Thatcher era.
Near unanimously the people’s vote for the best British gangster film of all time, the film is perhaps more relevant than ever due to the plot point where Hoskin’s Harold Shand plans to redevelop the London Docklands as a future Olympic venue (the film was released in 1980.)
As if the film needs to be more British, Helen Mirren stars as his girlfriend.
Click here to buy The Long Good Friday
- The Business
You didn't think this list would be missing an appearance of one Mr Danny Dyer, do you? This 80s set caper re-unites Dyer with his Football Factory co-star and director Tmaer Hasan and Nick Love, playing coke barons on the Costa Del Crime.
The mixture of naff 80s clothes and tunes, and the a tongue-in-cheek tone, make this a rollicking good ride.
Click here to buy The Business
- Rise of the Footsoldier
From BAFTA-nominated director Julian Gilbey is Rise of the Footsoldier; a violent romp which follows the rise of Carlton Leach from football hooligan to one of the most feared criminals in the country.
During his in between days, Leach is part of a gang who rampage their way through London, capturing the time with sheer authenticity.
Rise Of The Footsoldier: extreme Extended Edition is on Double Play Steelbook (including DVD and Blu-ray) 24th December.
Click here to buy Rise of the Footsoldier
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