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Amazon.co.uk Review
Gangster No. 1 is without doubt the most stylish British violent crime thriller from the many produced at the end of the 20th century. For all the pop-video glamour of Guy Ritchie's Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch, neither have anywhere near as much a sense of danger as is shown here. Paul Bettany ignites the screen with a fury that explodes far more than it smoulders beneath his tautly kept temper. The tale concerns his ascent to the titular position of primacy in 1960s London, told in flashback by his present-day self (an equally riveting Malcolm McDowell). A lust for power won't allow anything to stand in either incarnation's way, especially the foppish posturing of established crime boss Freddie Mays (David Thewlis). What distinguishes this from many other tales of greed is that the never-named Gangster actually wants to be Freddie, not simply replace him. Saffron Burrows plays the suffering trophy moll in the middle of this personality clash and provides about the only level head and gentle tongue in what is otherwise a super-violent and super-profane script. This is what The Krays should have been, and therefore not for the squeamish. --Paul Tonks
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
23 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
A true example of British film-making at it's best.
This film has some of the sharpest writing, mesmerising acting, stylish editing and unconventional cinematography I have ever seen.
Paul Bettany is actually frightening as young Gangster: in this film he seems to hold a rage within him that always remains just below the surface of his completely calm but fuming expression, but which occaisionally bursts out in short, sharp explosions, bordering on pure madness. When he forces his 'victims' (for want of a better word) to look at him - "Look at my eyes" - you find your gaze riveted to the screen.
Malcolm MacDowell is equally brilliant as Gangster's older self, displaying how truly unhinged the character is, how he has been damaged by his quest for power. And David Thewlis is, as usual, perfect in his role of Freddie Mays - sleek, smart, clever - the epitome of British gangster without becoming a cliche, as he brings something to his character which the usual No#1 Gangster in British films is almost always without.
An amazing film, I strongly suggest you watch it: it will broaden your mind and change your previous ideas of controversy.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This is a brilliantly presented and told story of unrivalled lust for power. The story charts the rise of Gangster, played by Bettany, and his ruthless rise to power at the expense of the unbelievably likeable Gangster Mays. The McDowell finale and narration are as superb as the direction, which whilst being occasionally repellant, paints Gangsters as what they are ,ruthless, ambitious and extremely violent. This is a far cry from the Dick Van Dyke Cockneys of Guy Ritchie's cinema world and is all the better for it
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This has to be one of the best films of its kind - and it's really rather difficult to classify. Perhaps it's better not to try - perhaps it's better just to revel in this wickedly unpleasant and often darkly amusing British tale of gangster rule by violence and menace.
While I am the first person to abhor violence and bad language in films (both ingredients are so often a compensation for a movie's inadequacies) GANGSTER No.1 gets away with murder. Many times over. Packed to the hilt with oodles of beating, stabbing, slashing and slaying, none of the violence or astonishing use of expletives is gratuitous. It's all driven with crazed logic by the oddball and psychopathic characters that inhabit the screen throughout this fascinating movie's horribly well-constructed 97 minutes.
From the moment it begins, the audience can't help but be riveted to these tough guys in sharp suits who rule the shadowy streets of '60s London. The excellent cast does the screenplay proud, obviously relishing every extreme moment. The gore is copious - as copious as the five-star swearwords, but the effect is never less than stunning, and for all the right reasons.
This film has great style, and ably survives its mildly disappointing - though somehow inevitable - finale, and is superbly directed and photographed. I can only wonder why it isn't better known, and I'm very glad to have discovered it. It's a worthy companion to classics like 'The Krays'.
Enjoy - if that's the right word - because you certainly won't forget it in a hurry.
While I am the first person to abhor violence and bad language in films (both ingredients are so often a compensation for a movie's inadequacies) GANGSTER No.1 gets away with murder. Many times over. Packed to the hilt with oodles of beating, stabbing, slashing and slaying, none of the violence or astonishing use of expletives is gratuitous. It's all driven with crazed logic by the oddball and psychopathic characters that inhabit the screen throughout this fascinating movie's horribly well-constructed 97 minutes.
From the moment it begins, the audience can't help but be riveted to these tough guys in sharp suits who rule the shadowy streets of '60s London. The excellent cast does the screenplay proud, obviously relishing every extreme moment. The gore is copious - as copious as the five-star swearwords, but the effect is never less than stunning, and for all the right reasons.
This film has great style, and ably survives its mildly disappointing - though somehow inevitable - finale, and is superbly directed and photographed. I can only wonder why it isn't better known, and I'm very glad to have discovered it. It's a worthy companion to classics like 'The Krays'.
Enjoy - if that's the right word - because you certainly won't forget it in a hurry.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Gangster No1
A good British gangster movie starring some excellent actors. It captured the feeling of the sixties superbly. It's surprising that it wasn't a bigger commercial success.
Published 1 month ago by Stevet
gangster number 1
fantastic film loved it i think the main character was based on mad frankie frazer entertaining, scarey and vicious .
Published 3 months ago by spinepain1
"It's not who you know, it's who you kill."
"And you, Mr. Freddie Mays, you had to go swimming in her eyes. Dancing in her hair. You had to slip into her mouth, slide over her tongue. Read more
Published 4 months ago by C. O. DeRiemer
Almost, but not quite.......
A cut above the myriad of Danny Dyer, London gangster films, No.1 has fantastic attention to detail and on the whole is very watchable, despite some fairly graphic violence, which... Read more
Published 10 months ago by FiTP
''bloody'' good.
a real suprise, havnt seen such good gangster movie for long while. great period piece set in the 60s has real feel about it. Read more
Published 12 months ago by jessy
a [very] poor man's Goodfellas
The first 30 seconds of this film were promising...then it all fell apart. From the dreadful miscasting to the over-use of the 'c' word. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Lynn Braben
Not no1 but still a great.
Love this film and watch it over and over, great cast and performances, if u have'nt seen it, it's simple but keeps u coming for more.
Published 14 months ago by mark sammons
not bad
This was a ok film i have seen alot better but it is still worth the watch.Was not much violance for a 18 should of been a 15 but worth buying to see.
Published 15 months ago by Ricky Latham
Good film about gansters
I liked this film as it was about the way that the London gansters led their life in the 60's. It is a dated film and most of the characters are just nutters. Read more
Published 19 months ago by DGNB
"I'm King Kong. I'm Superman"
Gangster No.1 is a trip down memory lane with a nameless gangster, on the eve of Freddie Mays' release in 1999, reminiscing about when he was on the first rung of the ladder back... Read more
Published 20 months ago by P. J. Potter
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