A Very British Gangster (2007)

67% of critics liked it
(24 reviews)
66% of users liked it
(846 ratings)

From Get Carter to Layer Cake, fictional British gangsters have roughed up the silver screen for decades, but in this documentary from filmmaker Donal MacIntyre, crime buffs are offered a compelling look at notorious real-world ruffian Dominic Noonan (aka Lattlay Fottfoy) -- the larger-than-life… More From Get Carter to Layer Cake, fictional British gangsters have roughed up the silver screen for decades, but in this documentary from filmmaker Donal MacIntyre, crime buffs are offered a compelling look at notorious real-world ruffian Dominic Noonan (aka Lattlay Fottfoy) -- the larger-than-life leader of Britain's most feared crime family. A community patriarch who metes out his own brand of justice to those who dare to cross his path, Noonan is certainly no stranger to the courtroom. But in addition to appearing in a seemingly endless string of criminal trials, the life of this charming gangland enforcer and neighborhood fixer is also filled with a surprising amount of love and laughter. While some stereotypes are reinforced, others are shattered as MacIntyre is granted unprecedented access into the personal life of a criminal kingpin who has repeatedly captivated the public by making headlines time and again. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Directed By: Donal MacIntyre
Genres: Documentary, Drama, Art House & International, Special Interest

In Theaters: Jul 18, 2008 Limited
On DVD: Oct 7, 2008
Studio: Anywhere Road

Critic Reviews

Stanley Kauffmann, The New Republic
A Very British Gangster proves yet again that one great asset of film is vicarious participation in crime.
Andrew O'Hehir, Salon.com
Investigative journalist Donal MacIntyre's film is fairly standard British TV product, closer to a glorified 60 Minutes segment then to cinematic art. But never mind -- its subject is, as he might say, feckin' amazing.
Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News
'Manchester is where I was born, where I live, and where I'll die,' announces Dominic Noonan at the start of Donal MacIntyre's gripping documentary.
Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times
A Very British Gangster plays less like a documentary than an E! exposé of lowlife skulduggery.
Gary Goldstein, Los Angeles Times
If Tony Soprano had a cheekier, less haunted, openly gay British counterpart, it would be Dominic Noonan, the Manchester crime boss profiled in the stylish and compelling A Very British Gangster.
Anna King, Time Out New York
More Hot Fuzz than Reservoir Dogs.
Chris Barsanti, Filmcritic.com
blunt, charged
David Noh, Film Journal International
MacIntyre's heavy, heavy hand fudges it.
Edward Douglas, ComingSoon.net
A fairly inconsistent effort assembled in a slipshod manner that doesn't do much to help one understand where this British gangster is coming from.
Maitland McDonagh, TV Guide's Movie Guide
It's all eminently watchable, but feels more like the run up to a larky crime picture like Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels than a serious documentary.
Andrew Schenker, Slant Magazine
Takes great pains to tart up its mildly intriguing subject matter.
Prairie Miller, NewsBlaze
Though hard to swallow much of this slanted overview, it goes down easy due to Noonan's charismatic force of personality, however unpleasant. But it's less about insight into the gangsta life, than a glimpse into a thug's action hero fantasy world.
Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall
It's easy to forget this is a documentary. The central character wouldn't seem out of place in almost any British crime drama--he'd actually liven most of them up.
, thelondonpaper
A grimly fascinating look at an unsavoury character.
David Gritten, Daily Telegraph
A Very British Gangster, his portrait of Manchester crime boss Dominic Noonan, raises awkward questions about his methods, as well as the question of whether "documentary" is even the right word.
Xan Brooks, Guardian [UK]
As ever, you sense that MacIntyre is half-seduced by the hard-man lifestyle, flattered to be included and content to peddle excitable gangland tourism in the guise of a criminal expose.
James Christopher, Times [UK]
A deeply unnerving exposé.
Pete Vonder Haar, Film Threat
A fascinating portrayal of a surprisingly complex individual and the major part loyalty and family play in his life.
Jonathan W. Hickman, Entertainment Insiders
At times, MacIntyre's narrative abilities in making the Manchester gangster life-style appear glamorous makes you question how much of the film is real, but when you get down to it, the reality here is between the lines.

Read all 19 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

_kelly .

This is one of the best filmed documentaries I've seen since Winged Migration. The shots here make the film appear as a narrative piece, and the film-maker interjects himself just enough to remind us that this is the "cameras allowed" side of these people's lives.… More
This is one of the best filmed documentaries I've seen since Winged Migration. The shots here make the film appear as a narrative piece, and the film-maker interjects himself just enough to remind us that this is the "cameras allowed" side of these people's lives. Thoroughly intriguing portrayal of this crime family and of the social and political functioning of Manchester. A film that proves reality is more compelling and creative than fiction. A must see for anyone.
Walter M

[font=Century Gothic]"A Very British Gangster" is an insightful and stylish documentary with a minimum of pontificating about Dominic Noonan who is a very, very bad man, having spent 22 of his 39 years in various jails. And even in prison, he was not behaving himself, as he… More
[font=Century Gothic]"A Very British Gangster" is an insightful and stylish documentary with a minimum of pontificating about Dominic Noonan who is a very, very bad man, having spent 22 of his 39 years in various jails. And even in prison, he was not behaving himself, as he was one of the leaders of an infamous riot. At this point in time, he is a powerful gangster in Manchester, England where he leads his own gang and is so respected by the local populace that he is often called in to settle disputes which says quite a bit about the state of the local police. In return, the local authorities do their best to put him away for good by taking the Capone/Nixon approach in trying to get him on a small charge which they can prove instead of the larger charges for which there is never any evidence. Despite all of the pressure, Noonan aims to go straight and founds his own security company. In his spare time, he spends time with his two sons who have been adversely affected by his absence as the youth of the city has been adversely affected by his presence. Along with his criminal ties, Noonan is a very complicated man, both a practicing Catholic and gay.[/font]
Wu C

This lad dosnt seem like a true gangster.

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A Very British Gangster (2007)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

_kelly .

Walter M

Wu C

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