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From Amazon.co.uk
He may be better known in some quarters as hip-hop musician Plan B, but Ben Drew opened up a fresh career for himself as a movie director with his confident debut, Ill Manors. Drew also wrote the script for this crime drama, which follows the lives of eight characters across seven days in a violence-infested London.
That's a lot to balance for an established director, which makes Drew's achievement with Ill Manors all the more impressive. He juggles intertwining stories with real confidence, and finds interesting angles on themes that have been explored many times before in cinema. It's not an easy film to watch at times, mainly because of its refusal to flinch, but it is a very impressive one.
The disc is bolstered by the inclusion of two further short films, as well as a piece looking at the making of the movie. A series of deleted scenes are included as well. It's a good mix of material here, and there's a lot to explore.
But it's the film that lingers in the mind long after the credits have rolled. Without giving anything away, Ill Manors has its ups and downs, but its confident, impressive and engrossing at its very best. A strong debut from a real talent. --Jon Foster
Product Description
United Kingdom released, PAL/Region 2 DVD: LANGUAGES: English ( Dolby Digital 5.1 ), English ( Subtitles ), WIDESCREEN (1.78:1), SPECIAL FEATURES: Deleted Scenes, Interactive Menu, Making Of, Music Video, Scene Access, Short Film, SYNOPSIS: We are all products of our environment. Some environments are just harder to survive in. Welcome to London, 2012. Home of the Olympic Games. Behind the veil of newly injected prosperity lies a community that's impossible to enter and even harder to escape. After 15 years in prison ex-dealer Kirby wants three simple things; to take back his turf, to get laid and to take revenge on the gangsters who have disrespected him. But a humiliating run-in with his former protégé sparks a chain of violence, vengeance and lethal reprisals that ripple through the community of drug dealers pimps, and innocents all swept up into the cycle of violence and deception. Then there is Aaron, street-wise yet vulnerable, just trying to get by and do the right thing while his ruthless friend Ed will stop at nothing to reclaim a mobile phone leading to deadly consequences. The highly anticipated feature length debut of award-winning musician Plan B (aka Ben Drew) iLL MANORS is an explosive unique crime thriller. Narratively linked through original music from Plan B himself, the film is a groundbreaking, visually stunning and gripping experience, laced with street-wise humour. ...Ill Manors (2012) ( Lenticular )
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 16 people found the following review helpful
By Rowena Hoseason
TOP 50 REVIEWER
Format:DVD
If you're a fan of Plan B and his music then you'll adore this in-your-face, intense blast of aggressive urban realism. The big surprise for me - movie enthusiast - was that it's also a cinematic knockout. Stylish and compelling; great characterisation, vibrant but not overwhelming soundtrack, and some very deft plotting of multiple narratives involving the ensemble cast. If this had been produced in LA it would be a worldwide winner.
The themes, situation and even the overall style of Ill Manors aren't anything new, however. Imagine a mash-up between the first season of The Wire: Complete HBO Season 1-5 [DVD] and Clockers [DVD] [1996], set in the skanky London backstreets of Misfits (Series 1), and you've nailed the mood. Spike Lee melded street music, brutal drug-culture street life and the corrosive effects of gang culture at least 15 years ago, and Ill Manors interprets those same themes on the streets of contemporary London.
But that doesn't diminish Ill Manors in any way - it tells a gripping storyline, packed with punchy 'didn't see that coming' moments of startling drama. It veers from blunt street violence to examining the nature of friendship and loyalty in a snapshot. If you ever wondered how 'nice kids' get dragged into gang, drugs and gun culture then this film sheds light on the power of peer pressure, on the need to conform, to gain respect... even at the expense of another human life.... Read more ›
The themes, situation and even the overall style of Ill Manors aren't anything new, however. Imagine a mash-up between the first season of The Wire: Complete HBO Season 1-5 [DVD] and Clockers [DVD] [1996], set in the skanky London backstreets of Misfits (Series 1), and you've nailed the mood. Spike Lee melded street music, brutal drug-culture street life and the corrosive effects of gang culture at least 15 years ago, and Ill Manors interprets those same themes on the streets of contemporary London.
But that doesn't diminish Ill Manors in any way - it tells a gripping storyline, packed with punchy 'didn't see that coming' moments of startling drama. It veers from blunt street violence to examining the nature of friendship and loyalty in a snapshot. If you ever wondered how 'nice kids' get dragged into gang, drugs and gun culture then this film sheds light on the power of peer pressure, on the need to conform, to gain respect... even at the expense of another human life.... Read more ›
21 of 26 people found the following review helpful
By Call me Sparky
VINE™ VOICE
Format:DVD
I really didn't know what this film would be like: There was very little publicity when this was released - 'The Avengers' took the hype before 'Prometheus' turned up. I didn't even know Ben 'Plan B' Drew was making a film.
Now let's face it, Musicians making films whilst usually financially successful can be hit (Aretha et al turning up in 'The Blues Brothers', Eminem in '8 Mile') or very, very miss ('Spiceworld', the Beatles films are fun but ultimately meh, ditto Elvis, Whitney Houston in 'The Bodyguard' and ...shudders...Vanilla Ice in anything he's been in and Madonna post 'Desperately Seeking Susan').
I heard of Ill Manors (a pun Shakespeare would have written then, pleased with himself, gone home for the day to watch Countdown) through the EP release. A typical thought provoking rap about dysfunctional London - notably the squalor of the East End in the shadow of the Olympics - which underlies the film beautifully.
The film itself, like a Shakespearean tragedy, follows the fortunes of several characters at various places along the scum spectrum. For the most part focussing on two men making their way through London and life selling small amounts of dope and their relationship with familiy, friends and rivals (bitter and respected), it tells of brutality, love and it's replacements, hope and fear and death and violence -as well as self-sacrifice and honour. It has everything a tragedy play should have and truthfully a stage version of this would not be out of place at The Globe.
In many ways a video for a concept album, this is truly superb. Gritty , realistic and yet like life, puntuated with emotion and characters that you can enjoy on many levels, this could well be a gem that many people pass by because of the blockbusters this year.... Read more ›
Now let's face it, Musicians making films whilst usually financially successful can be hit (Aretha et al turning up in 'The Blues Brothers', Eminem in '8 Mile') or very, very miss ('Spiceworld', the Beatles films are fun but ultimately meh, ditto Elvis, Whitney Houston in 'The Bodyguard' and ...shudders...Vanilla Ice in anything he's been in and Madonna post 'Desperately Seeking Susan').
I heard of Ill Manors (a pun Shakespeare would have written then, pleased with himself, gone home for the day to watch Countdown) through the EP release. A typical thought provoking rap about dysfunctional London - notably the squalor of the East End in the shadow of the Olympics - which underlies the film beautifully.
The film itself, like a Shakespearean tragedy, follows the fortunes of several characters at various places along the scum spectrum. For the most part focussing on two men making their way through London and life selling small amounts of dope and their relationship with familiy, friends and rivals (bitter and respected), it tells of brutality, love and it's replacements, hope and fear and death and violence -as well as self-sacrifice and honour. It has everything a tragedy play should have and truthfully a stage version of this would not be out of place at The Globe.
In many ways a video for a concept album, this is truly superb. Gritty , realistic and yet like life, puntuated with emotion and characters that you can enjoy on many levels, this could well be a gem that many people pass by because of the blockbusters this year.... Read more ›
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By Gazvaldo
Format:DVD
This is a truly unique movie, both in terms of style and content. I won't spoil it for others by going into detail, but suffice it to say that the violence is brutal, the acting superb, and the storyline very believable. The occasional contrast between the grim backstreets and run down estates of the East End of London with the shiny new Olympic Park just round the corner is inspired, as is the inclusion of a bit of poetry from John Cooper Clark. It's a great film, one of the best I've seen for some time, overly violent in places, but nonetheless, totally compelling.
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Love the story, love the music. What more could you ask for in a film?
The characters draw you in, and there's a lot of 'real life' detail
The characters draw you in, and there's a lot of 'real life' detail
By Mr bean
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Action packed hard hitting drama. Raw edges and believable characters. Pulls no punches. Ben Drew's rapping brings the story alive.
By Nicolas
Format:Blu-ray|Amazon Verified Purchase
A great film ! Powerfull, the soundtrack is brilliant.
U're not used to see movie like this one so be sure to grab it!
U're not used to see movie like this one so be sure to grab it!
By Dooscah
Format:DVD
I very rarely re-watch a film, but I've seen this 4 times now in a month. I've lived in London all my life and these characters are extremely convincing as real people you'd come across in less privileged parts of London. I've always wondered why other productions find it so difficult to research or get this type of natural dialogue and mannerism 'right' but Ben Drew has achieved it more accurately than any 'hood' type flick I've seen yet.
The whole cast represents a true demographic of any impoverished London area and they all gel together well in terms of on-screen chemistry. I can't stand his (Plan B) music but the raps and poems which he used to narrate the movie force you to appreciate it to understand the plot - very cleverly done. The guy deserves serious kudos for what was obviously some painstaking detail across an 8 year production and the obvious direction he gave to the actors in the movie.
If you're reading this Ben - Please cast 'Kirby' (Keith Coggins) again as a main character in your films as he is truly a natural comedian and was absolutely pivotal to this films greatness!
The whole cast represents a true demographic of any impoverished London area and they all gel together well in terms of on-screen chemistry. I can't stand his (Plan B) music but the raps and poems which he used to narrate the movie force you to appreciate it to understand the plot - very cleverly done. The guy deserves serious kudos for what was obviously some painstaking detail across an 8 year production and the obvious direction he gave to the actors in the movie.
If you're reading this Ben - Please cast 'Kirby' (Keith Coggins) again as a main character in your films as he is truly a natural comedian and was absolutely pivotal to this films greatness!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
He set out to send a message and here it is!
Amazing film, shows the state of the country at the moment but not just a violence film it shows the fact sometimes its not the persons fault how they end up like they do there is... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Joe C
5.0 out of 5 stars
Kirby! (Keith Coggins)
I very rarely re-watch a film, but I've seen this 4 times now in a month. I've lived in London all my life and these characters are extremely convincing as real people you'd come... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Dooscah
5.0 out of 5 stars
First Class
Thoroughly enjoyed this, great acting , realistic, harsh and uncompromising. A really gritty urban drama, highly relevant and thought provoking. Read more
Published 2 months ago by ANDY
4.0 out of 5 stars
Reality Bites back in the london underbelly
The first thing to say about this film is what a great effort by Ben drew{plan B}who wrote the story,directed the film and also wrote the soundtrack ,how long did this take. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Mr. A. T. Clarke
5.0 out of 5 stars
I'm old and I loved it.
I am a 30 something, radio 4 listening, villager living in the Lake District and I thought it was bloody brilliant. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Ms. Sarah Godfrey
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great buy
Came nice and quickly and is a great movie, i would definitely recommend people to go and buy this film!!
Published 2 months ago by Matt benson
4.0 out of 5 stars
Ill Manors
This film won't win any oscars but is a very watchable and believeable tale set in urban London.
Well cast and cleverly written.
Well cast and cleverly written.
Published 3 months ago by robstermufc
5.0 out of 5 stars
Surprisingly good
I bought this Bluray when it had dropped down in price (£8), but only because I'm not sure if I was going to enjoy all that 'Bollock-Talk' that these youngsters seem to be speaking... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Rick
5.0 out of 5 stars
for my son
he is great fan of plan b and I got the DVD when ordering the CD which he loved good choice of christmas present!
Published 3 months ago by robbo
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