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Amazon.co.uk Review
Based on the best-selling book by Martina Cole, The Take follows the story of Freddie Jackson, a man who’s just left prison. And it’s fair to say has no intention of leaving a life of crime behind him. Thanks to the book of contacts he’s accrued while inside, he’s looking to put his newly found knowledge to commercial, and criminal, use.
Played by Tom Hardy, in a strong leading turn, Jackson doesn’t take long to get back to business. The Take lands him a London rife with gang warfare though, and we soon get the impression that this is not a safe place to be. Events start in the mid 1980s, and the narrative of the drama then covers the next decade, and the cultural and political changes that encompasses. And Jackson’s life doesn’t quite go the way he’d envisaged…
Co-starring Brian Cox and Charlotte Riley, The Take packs plenty in over its four instalments, and it doesn’t hold back on portraying just how brutal the London underworld can be. Yet it’s gripping drama, nonetheless, spearheaded by a superb turn from Tom Hardy in the lead role. Granted, it crams too much into four episodes, and often has to gallop through events. Plus, there’s a familiarity to the narrative. But this is a gritty, well-released adaptation of a strong book, and worth seeking out. --Jon Foster
Amazon.co.uk Review
Based on the best-selling book by Martina Cole, The Take follows the story of Freddie Jackson, a man who’s just left prison. And it’s fair to say has no intention of leaving a life of crime behind him. Thanks to the book of contacts he’s accrued while inside, he’s looking to put his newly found knowledge to commercial, and criminal, use.
Played by Tom Hardy, in a strong leading turn, Jackson doesn’t take long to get back to business. The Take lands him a London rife with gang warfare though, and we soon get the impression that this is not a safe place to be. Events start in the mid 1980s, and the narrative of the drama then covers the next decade, and the cultural and political changes that encompasses. And Jackson’s life doesn’t quite go the way he’d envisaged…
Co-starring Brian Cox and Charlotte Riley, The Take packs plenty in over its four instalments, and it doesn’t hold back on portraying just how brutal the London underworld can be. Yet it’s gripping drama, nonetheless, spearheaded by a superb turn from Tom Hardy in the lead role. Granted, it crams too much into four episodes, and often has to gallop through events. Plus, there’s a familiarity to the narrative. But this is a gritty, well-released adaptation of a strong book, and worth seeking out. --Jon Foster
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
30 of 32 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I haven't read the book....but this was fantastic.
Tom Hardy (dear god he's one to watch!) turns in a magnificent performance as freed man Freddie, freshly released from prison and up for some violent mischief and ziggurat climbing. Imagine an East End Goodfellas and you're not far off. As things go on the plot twists and turns, the bodies stack up and Freddie's hands get bloodier and bloodier, pulling his cousin Jimmy down with him. It's a rollercoaster ride of murder, extortion, sex, drugs and betrayal.....and it's brilliant!
The cast are excellent in their roles, although Brian Cox's accent shifts all over the place. Hardy is a revelation. I can't speak highly enough of this performance. He is both menacing and sometimes endearing. Both at times incredibly funny and chillingly sadistic. His Freddie is both psychotic powerhouse and vulnerable child, driven at times into furious tantrums that always end in bloodshed. Whilst the plot may be predictable at times (after a while you can begin to anticipate a looming fatality), the character profiles are so well drawn by their respective actors that you are utterly sucked in to this world of grimy, sordid violence.
I wouldn't say that this is enjoyable television. Don't expect cathartic escapism or easy viewing. But finally we have a slick, sharp, gritty mini-serial to rival some of the American imports flooding our channels in lieu of programmes like Waking the Dead. There needs to be more television in this country like this: Ambitious, cinematic, gripping, story driven television. Television that grabs us by the throat and forces us to watch.
This is a primal scream of televisual achievement. Make sure you hear it.
Tom Hardy (dear god he's one to watch!) turns in a magnificent performance as freed man Freddie, freshly released from prison and up for some violent mischief and ziggurat climbing. Imagine an East End Goodfellas and you're not far off. As things go on the plot twists and turns, the bodies stack up and Freddie's hands get bloodier and bloodier, pulling his cousin Jimmy down with him. It's a rollercoaster ride of murder, extortion, sex, drugs and betrayal.....and it's brilliant!
The cast are excellent in their roles, although Brian Cox's accent shifts all over the place. Hardy is a revelation. I can't speak highly enough of this performance. He is both menacing and sometimes endearing. Both at times incredibly funny and chillingly sadistic. His Freddie is both psychotic powerhouse and vulnerable child, driven at times into furious tantrums that always end in bloodshed. Whilst the plot may be predictable at times (after a while you can begin to anticipate a looming fatality), the character profiles are so well drawn by their respective actors that you are utterly sucked in to this world of grimy, sordid violence.
I wouldn't say that this is enjoyable television. Don't expect cathartic escapism or easy viewing. But finally we have a slick, sharp, gritty mini-serial to rival some of the American imports flooding our channels in lieu of programmes like Waking the Dead. There needs to be more television in this country like this: Ambitious, cinematic, gripping, story driven television. Television that grabs us by the throat and forces us to watch.
This is a primal scream of televisual achievement. Make sure you hear it.
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This is one of the best programmes I have ever watched - It is simply essential viewing - shocking / funny / harrowing / violent / engrossing...It grips you from the first minute and stays with you long after the final credits.Tom Hardy is INCREDIBLE as Freddy...mesmerising...one of the most memorable characters I have ever watched... and the rest of the cast/acting is top notch...puts most Hollywood films to shame...This deserves awards...and then some...not for the faint hearted...but UNMISSABLE TV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Excellent show - Tom Hardy must be up there with Depp and DiCaprio when it comes to people watching a film for the actor alone! Outstanding performance - id watched one scene in Bronson (the one in the cell) and Inception - he's now my favourite around at this time!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
The Take
I'm not going to lie - watching Tom Hardy's carrier since ST Nemesis and being a fervent admirer from Austria only being able to purchase most of his work within the last year... Read more
Published 1 month ago by VVienna
fab
having read Martina Cole's book The Take, i got this as the book was so fab and the dvd is just as great. the ending is different to the book but it doesnt make it any worse. Read more
Published 1 month ago by pixie28
The Take
After reading Martina Cole's amazing book "The Take" i was so exicited to see the characters potrayed on screen and was not disappointed! Read more
Published 2 months ago by Jess
The Take....Quality :)
I'm a huge Martina Cole fan and had already read the book before i see the film. I couldn't put the book down and i loved the film too. Love Tom Hardy aswell ;)
Published 3 months ago by Zoey
The Take DVD
I thought that this product was amazing! Watched it on the TV without even really knowing anything about it, and because it had me gripped from start to finish, I just had to order... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Egan
The Take on Blu-ray
This is an AMAZING 4 part series! I am a huge Tom Hardy fan and was pleasantly surprised by how amazing he did on his part of acting as Freddie Jackson. Love love this blu-ray!! Read more
Published 4 months ago by ca_blue_eyes03
Gritty and great acting
The actress who plays Cathy is an amazing talent and even though the ending is far removed from the book the whole things makes for great viewing with a brilliant cast, gritty and... Read more
Published 4 months ago by CindersP
fab
this is a really good gritty drama that gets you hooked,and tom hardy is reaaly good in it as are all the other actors, but he is fit as well !
Published 5 months ago by marsden
BRILLIANT! A Must Watch!
This drama is brilliant, intense & thrilling, it quickly draws you in & makes you want to keep watching to find out what happens next. Read more
Published 7 months ago by liseylou
great film
Read the book seen the film both excellent, great price as well for blue ray, if the prices keep going down more people will buy and stop piracy, keep it up.
Published 7 months ago by P. D. Lynch
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