The Krays (film)
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| The Krays | |
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| Directed by | Peter Medak |
| Produced by | Dominic Anciano Ray Burdis |
| Written by | Philip Ridley |
| Starring | Martin Kemp Gary Kemp Billie Whitelaw Tom Bell |
| Music by | Michael Kamen |
| Cinematography | Alex Thomson |
| Editing by | Martin Walsh |
| Distributed by | Rank |
| Release date(s) | April 27, 1990 |
| Running time | 119 min. |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| IMDb profile | |
The Krays is a 1990 film based on the lives and crimes of the British gangsters Ronald and Reginald Kray, twins who are often referred to as The Krays.[1] The film was written by Philip Ridley and directed by Peter Medak.[2]
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[edit] Plot summary
The film begins with a shot of a swan in flight over the caption "Shall I tell you my dream?" and charts Ronnie and Reggie Kray's lives from their humble beginnings in the East End of London to their rise in the 1960s to become the most infamous and notorious gangland leaders in London's criminal underworld.[3] They were subsequently convicted of murder and were incarcerated for over 30 years. Ron died in Broadmoor Hospital, a high security psychiatric hospital, in 1995. Reg however was released on the 1 October 2000 on health grounds. He died 3 weeks later of cancer. They were played by real-life brothers (Gary Kemp) and (Martin Kemp), who at the time of the film were more famous for their pop group Spandau Ballet.[4]
The film charts the lives of the Krays from childhood, paying particular attention to how they were very close to their doting mother (played by Billie Whitelaw) and also the relationship between the twins, with Ronald (Gary Kemp) the more dominant and violent twin and Reginald (Martin Kemp) carrying out acts of violence primarily at the behest of his brother. The real-life Ronnie was diagnosed with suffering from paranoid schizophrenia.[5]
The film contains a notoriously gruesome scene in which Ronald gives someone a so-called 'Chelsea smile', which involves holding a knife horizontally over the victim's mouth and applying pressure, the blade carving through the victim's cheeks and the resulting injuries giving the impression they are, quite literally, smiling "from ear to ear".[6] On a lighter note the film also contains a memorable scene where the Krays hold a meeting at their parent's house. Halfway through the meeting the Krays' mother cheerfully brings up cups of tea for everyone and fusses over all the heavily built men who are crammed into one tiny room. Their mother was supposedly unaware that her sons business activities were illegal. The other gangsters know how devoted the Krays are to their mother and they treat her with fawning respect.
[edit] Cast
Billie Whitelaw .... Violet Kray
Tom Bell .... Jack 'The Hat' McVitie
Gary Kemp .... Ronald Kray
Martin Kemp .... Reggie Kray
Susan Fleetwood .... Rose
Charlotte Cornwell.... May
Kate Hardie .... Frances
Avis Bunnage .... Helen
Alfred Lynch .... Charlie Kray
Gary Love .... Steve
Steven Berkoff .... George Cornell
Jimmy Jewel .... Cannonball Lee
Barbara Ferris .... Mrs. Lawson
Victor Spinetti .... Mr. Lawson
John McEnery .... Eddie Pellam
Philip Bloomfield.... Charlie Pellam
Norman Rossington .... Shopkeeper
Patti Love .... Iris
Michael Balfour .... Referee
Terence Dackombe.... Thug
Roger Monk .... Charlie Jnr.
Jimmy Flint .... Perry
Andrew Kitchen .... Dennis
Michael Carr .... Eddie
Ian Burfield .... Whip
Bob Brimson .... Grey
Russell Gold .... Terry
David Arlen .... Dickie
Jon McKenna .... Sam Ripley
Sean Blowers .... Chris Ripley
Murray Melvin .... Newsagent
Sadie Frost .... Sharon Pellam
Stephen Lewis .... Policeman
Peter Turner .... Regal Manager
Soo Drouet .... Jack's Girlfriend
John H. Stracey .... Boxer
David Fenwick .... Doctor
Laura Cox .... Ivy
Angus MacInnes .... Palendri
[edit] References
- ^ Film about East London gangsters Ronnie and Reggie Kray http://www.channel4.com/film/reviews/film.jsp?id=105078 Retrieved 19/09/07
- ^ Peter Medak Director http://www.channel4.com/film/reviews/person.jsp?id=15375 Retrieved 19/09/07
- ^ Kray Twins notorios gangsters http://www.eastlondonhistory.com/krays.htm Retrieved 19/09/07
- ^ Spandau Ballet brothers Martin and Gary Kemp play The Krays http://www.channel4.com/film/reviews/film.jsp?id=105078 Retrieved 19/09/07
- ^ Ronnie suffered from schizophrenia http://www.crimeandinvestigation.co.uk/famous_criminal/37/home/1/Ronnie_Reggie_Kray.htm Retrieved 19/09/07
- ^ Chelsea smile slang http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A128152 Retrieved 19/09/07
