- Actors: Malcolm McDowell, David Thewlis, Paul Bettany, Saffron Burrows, Kenneth Cranham
- Directors: Paul McGuigan
- Writers: Johnny Ferguson
- Producers: Jonathan Cavendish, Karsten Brünig, Nicky Kentish Barnes, Norma Heyman, Peter Bowles
- Format: Anamorphic, PAL
- Language English
- Subtitles: English
- Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9 - 1.77:1
- Number of discs: 1
- Classification: 18
- Studio: Cinema Club
- DVD Release Date: 10 Jun 2002
- Run Time: 103 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (47 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B000051WB8
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 25,737 in Film & TV (See Top 100 in Film & TV)
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Product details |
Reviews
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
Special Features
16:9 Anamorphic Wide Screen
DVD 9
English
English
Region 2
Dolby Digital 5.1 English
Dolby Digital 5.1
Directors Commentary
Isolated Music Score
Deleted Scenes
Cast And Crew Interviews
Behind The Scenes
Theatrical Trailer
Audio Description For The Visually Impaired
DVD 9
English
English
Region 2
Dolby Digital 5.1 English
Dolby Digital 5.1
Directors Commentary
Isolated Music Score
Deleted Scenes
Cast And Crew Interviews
Behind The Scenes
Theatrical Trailer
Audio Description For The Visually Impaired
Suggested Tags from Similar Products(What's this?)Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product)
|
Customer Reviews
|
Share your thoughts with other customers:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brutal and Brilliant.,
By
This review is from: Gangster No.1 [DVD] [2000] (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:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best British Film for neons,
By A Customer
This review is from: Gangster No.1 [DVD] [2000] (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:
5.0 out of 5 stars
BRILLIANT AND CHILLING portrayal of 'The Underworld' ...,
By
This review is from: Gangster No.1 [DVD] (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.
Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
|
Most Recent Customer Reviews |
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
![[Start the discussion]](http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/02/x-locale/communities/discussion_boards/start-new-discussion-sec._V192198663_.gif){kind=small}
Listmania!
|
|
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
