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Amazon.co.uk Review
Essex Boys constructs a fictional story around the infamous Range Rover murders in Rettenden, Essex, in which three local drug dealers were found blasted to death by shotguns. Driving for ex-con Jason Locke (Sean Bean) was just another job for Billy Reynolds (Charlie Creed-Miles). But fresh out of a five-year stretch, Locke is looking to make up for lost time and begins a turf war. He stalks his manor with a menacing leer and a bottle of acid to throw in the face of anyone who gets in his way, and is given to Locke and his drug-dealing gang rely on brute strength to enforce their will, but when they decide to expand their game they underestimate the wiles of Billy's boss, countrified crime gent John Dyke. Southend's sunset strip of neon-fronted clubs and arcades, but fails to lift the plot of his film out of the Brit-gangster ghetto. That said, Winsor laudably plays it straight, avoiding the style over substance affectations of the genre, while coaxing believable performances out of his cast. --Chris Campion
On the DVD: the anamorphic 1.85:1 widescreen transfer is good with little obvious grain and an above average level of detail. But it is the soundtrack that's really the star of this DVD. The intensity of the film and the relentless action from the outset (where you are thrust into the middle of a crowded nightclub) is really upped by the brilliant Dolby Digital 5.1 audio mix, resulting in the viewer feeling every gunshot. It's a good job that the soundtrack is so spectacular, since there are no special features except the usual suspects, the original theatrical trailer and scene access. --Kristen BowditchEssex Boys constructs a fictional story around the infamous Range Rover murders in Rettenden, Essex, in which three local drug dealers were found blasted to death by shotguns. Driving for ex-con Jason Locke (Sean Bean) was just another job for Billy Reynolds (Charlie Creed-Miles). But fresh out of a five-year stretch, Locke is looking to make up for lost time and begins a turf war. He stalks his manor with a menacing leer and a bottle of acid to throw in the face of anyone who gets in his way, and is given to humiliating publicly his long-suffering wife Lisa (Alex Kingston). Locke and his drug-dealing gang rely on brute strength to enforce their will, but when they decide to expand their game they underestimate the wiles of Billy's boss, countrified crime gent John Dyke. Director Terry Winsor makes good use of locations, especially Southend's sunset strip of neon-fronted clubs and arcades, but fails to lift the plot of his film out of the Brit-gangster ghetto. That said, Winsor laudably plays it straight, avoiding the style over substance affectations of the genre, while coaxing believable performances out of his cast. --Chris Campion
Special Features
1.85 Wide Screen
DVD 5
English
English
Region 2
Dolby Digital 5.1 English
Dolby Digital 5.1
Original Theatrical Trailer
DVD 5
English
English
Region 2
Dolby Digital 5.1 English
Dolby Digital 5.1
Original Theatrical Trailer
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
I really liked this film as the characters are all interesting and although the settings and catchphrases may be slightly cliched of the Gangster Genre the characters are unpredictable and well acted. This film really captures all the different aspects of life as a criminal, the money, the nervousness, paranoia, excitement and the inevitable downfall resulting in lives being ruined.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Inspired by a true story, Essex boys takes us on a journey through the colourful but violent nights and guilty, jaded days of the titular group of criminals. The attraction of a life of crime as part of a firm is clear: unlimited drugs and drink on tap, VIP treatment in nightclubs (the best Southend has to offer) and scantily dressed young women with dubious taste in men never far away.
But as Billy (Charlie Creed-Miles) discovers, life in Essex's fast lane comes at a price. Bored of his cabbing job, Billy is both attracted and appalled by the world of Jason Locke (Sean Bean) and his underworld associates.
Death and imprisonment lurk in the shadows, and the 'firm' are certainly ruthless and reckless, but in Essex Boys, the 'firm' never appear quite as menacing as the filmmakers would like. Larry Lamb riding round in a Merc' smoking a cigar accompanied by a long haired Michael McKell and a scenery chewing Sean Bean just doesn't seem true to the realities of top (ok, upper middle) level criminality. But then, most of us wouldn't really know.
The plot revolves around double crossings and drug deals gone wrong, with some romantic intrigue (Alex Kingston on mesmeric form) thrown in for good measure. This is all well and good, if you can follow the plot, but the film's main strengths are - in order of successful execution - atmosphere and acting. This is a world of strip light underpasses flashing by in the early hours, of rendesvous by the estuarine bridge, in the shadow of the oil refinery. Essex has never looked so bleak. Bean, Kingston, Creed miles et al. certainly give it their all, and the acting is strong and committed. Bean's accent is not perfect, but this doesn't detract from the overall success of the film.
Accompanied by an imaginative and appropriately dark soundtrack, Essex Boys is a great way to spend a couple of hours willing the characters not to get mixed up with the bad guys, or not to double cross a drug dealer, or not to cheat on Alex Kingston... but knowing that they will anyway.
Fast moving but atmospheric entertainment.
But as Billy (Charlie Creed-Miles) discovers, life in Essex's fast lane comes at a price. Bored of his cabbing job, Billy is both attracted and appalled by the world of Jason Locke (Sean Bean) and his underworld associates.
Death and imprisonment lurk in the shadows, and the 'firm' are certainly ruthless and reckless, but in Essex Boys, the 'firm' never appear quite as menacing as the filmmakers would like. Larry Lamb riding round in a Merc' smoking a cigar accompanied by a long haired Michael McKell and a scenery chewing Sean Bean just doesn't seem true to the realities of top (ok, upper middle) level criminality. But then, most of us wouldn't really know.
The plot revolves around double crossings and drug deals gone wrong, with some romantic intrigue (Alex Kingston on mesmeric form) thrown in for good measure. This is all well and good, if you can follow the plot, but the film's main strengths are - in order of successful execution - atmosphere and acting. This is a world of strip light underpasses flashing by in the early hours, of rendesvous by the estuarine bridge, in the shadow of the oil refinery. Essex has never looked so bleak. Bean, Kingston, Creed miles et al. certainly give it their all, and the acting is strong and committed. Bean's accent is not perfect, but this doesn't detract from the overall success of the film.
Accompanied by an imaginative and appropriately dark soundtrack, Essex Boys is a great way to spend a couple of hours willing the characters not to get mixed up with the bad guys, or not to double cross a drug dealer, or not to cheat on Alex Kingston... but knowing that they will anyway.
Fast moving but atmospheric entertainment.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Its ok if your into the drug scene type of films. Its not for the faint hearted as its abit bloody and gory.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
always liked this film
couldnt wait to watch it when i got it. always have liked ths film, and been based on true events is what makes the film for me. Read more
Published 12 months ago by talzybob
great movie
i would not like to get on the wrong side of the character played by sean bean
Published 22 months ago by Mr. P. Dean
Not too bad at all.
I'm always wary of British gangster type movies as they tend to be beyond cliched & although this is a bit on the cliched side, I thought it was actually pretty decent. Read more
Published on 4 Oct 2009 by adamski
British movies are the dogs bollocks!
I don't really get the one-star reviews. This is an excellent wee movie. The ending is weak but the atmosphere is great, especially the scene in the woods before and after the... Read more
Published on 2 Aug 2009 by Justice Peace
Disappointing
This was in my opinion a badly acted and silly film full of gangster clichés. The accent of the Bean character was poor and the attempt at gritty realism failed... Read more
Published on 1 Mar 2009 by Mr. S. Hugo
Cool Front Cover... that is all.
A surprisingly dreadful film that is smothered with boring and pointless narration.
The acting is awful. Read more
The acting is awful. Read more
Published on 15 Feb 2009 by Jauffery the 3rd
Disappointing
I was hoping for a good British gangster movie but this isn't. A lot of people like Sean Bean but I always got the impression it was somebody acting. Read more
Published on 1 July 2008 by B. Wimsett
rubbish
They claim this film is based on the rettedon murders, but the only similarity is that 3 guys got shot in a 4x4 in feild, thats it, Sean Bean is laughable as a Essex gangster and... Read more
Published on 18 Jun 2008 by Mr. Christopher L. Eales
Don't Bother..
If like me, you were interested in the Rettendon Murders that took place back in the 90's, then don't bother with this film. Read more
Published on 4 May 2008 by stephenarthur
Loved it!!
I have to say I was a bit worried about this film. I'm not sure why I was?! Sean Bean is absolutely amazing (as usual) as the bad guy (no change there!). Read more
Published on 14 Jun 2007 by H. Trivass
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