A thriller with social comment. Michael Caine back to his best as Harry Brown, a senior citizen ex-marine who left all that behind when he got married. Now his wife has passed on and when his best friend is killed by low-lifes on a sink estate somewhere in a British city, Harry reverts to type. In some ways echoing the vigilante theme of 'Death Wish'...this film is saved by its excellent performances and the stark realism of present day society.Maybe the present politicians and Met should watch it and learn something. The police top brass are portrayed here as unthinking, bone-headed, white-washing pension sitters. Maybe this isn't far from the truth?
My only criticism is that it is perhaps too dark. Only the investigating police officer seems to have any 'light and shade' to her character. Otherwise Harry is 'good' and everyone else is 'bad'......which is too simplistic.
But a modern classic nonetheless.

A dark tale of vengeance that changed the face of British thrillers when released. I saw it then and having recently watched it again,it has lost none of it's power. Bleak, gritty, downbeat and realistic.....and apart from the fashions and the cars!....has aged well. Still packs a punch. Very violent for its time and still disturbing now, with an ending that you don't see coming.Brilliantly supported by a strong cast, Michael Caine makes the most of the character of hard man Jack Carter, playing to his minimalist style. Makes Vinnie Jones look like a cissie! And without all the f-words!
A classic.

I usually write comedy but am currently writing a psychological thriller screenplay and this book gives enough factual information on police procedure to make any script, or book, realistic. Nothing worse than totally unrealistic scenarios to make the scene 'jar' as the author himself puts it. It is also not too technical and is easy to read. A good reference book for the writer.