Essex Boys (2000)

17% of critics liked it
(6 reviews)
65% of users liked it
(4,713 ratings)

Terry Winsor directs this two-fisted tale of drug, guns, and murder based on a real-life gangland killing that left three dead in the snowy Essex backcountry. The film opens with cabby neophyte Billy (Charlie Creed-Miles) getting hired by suave drug baron John Dyke (Tom Wilkinson) to shuttle around… More Terry Winsor directs this two-fisted tale of drug, guns, and murder based on a real-life gangland killing that left three dead in the snowy Essex backcountry. The film opens with cabby neophyte Billy (Charlie Creed-Miles) getting hired by suave drug baron John Dyke (Tom Wilkinson) to shuttle around recent ex-con Jason Locke (Sean Bean). Locke is a disaster waiting to happen; half-psychotic with a volcanic temper, he kills and disfigures without a second thought. Yet he takes a shine to his young driver and soon starts including him on his nefarious errands. Meanwhile, Locke arranges for his wife Lisa (Alex Kingston of ER fame) to call in a favor from Dyke and has the kingpin procure a shipment of ecstasy. Unfortunately, the E proves to be bad, hospitalizing scores of ravers and almost killing Locke. With his street rep trashed, the sociopath vows bloody revenge on his former partner, while Dyke and his lover Lisa plot Locke's demise. ~ Jonathan Crow, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 42 min.
Directed By: Terry Winsor
Written By: Jeff Pope, Terry Winsor
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Art House & International, Mystery & Suspense

On DVD: Dec 4, 2001

Critic Reviews

David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...the sort of unoriginal gangster movie that seems to be far more prevalent now due to the success of fellow Brit directors like Guy Ritchie.

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Featured Audience Ratings

familiar s

Just bumped onto it, and couldn't simply miss it after knowing it's based on real events. Just can't help it. But it turned out to be an alright TP. While the story was okay, it's the acting that crushes the film. All the actors seemed to be on their worst. Sean… More
Just bumped onto it, and couldn't simply miss it after knowing it's based on real events. Just can't help it. But it turned out to be an alright TP. While the story was okay, it's the acting that crushes the film. All the actors seemed to be on their worst. Sean Bean is an utter disaster. Charlie Creed-Miles excelled him by & large, but as the movie approached towards its culmination, even he's out in the competition of sucking. Fair fare.
Anthony L

Below average British gangster film and that's me being kind! Charlie Creed-miles is good, Sean Bean is crap and Alex Kingston's tits are average. Why get a guy from Sheffield to play an Essex boy? Shame there wasn't more room in that Land Rover for the rest of the… More
Below average British gangster film and that's me being kind! Charlie Creed-miles is good, Sean Bean is crap and Alex Kingston's tits are average. Why get a guy from Sheffield to play an Essex boy? Shame there wasn't more room in that Land Rover for the rest of the cast!
Lady D

This fictional story based on the sequence of a true event, shows a glimpse in the British criminal underworld. With a psychotic performance from Sean Bean and a sinester role for Tom Wilkinson, Essex Boys is a great film of it's genre with a nice twist.
Deb S

This film is a British gangster thriller that carries an added edge of realism with the police?s discovery of a Range Rover in an Essex wood containing three dead bodies riddled with gunshot wounds. Sean Bean plays the gangster and is convincing as the psychopathic Jason Locke… More
This film is a British gangster thriller that carries an added edge of realism with the police?s discovery of a Range Rover in an Essex wood containing three dead bodies riddled with gunshot wounds. Sean Bean plays the gangster and is convincing as the psychopathic Jason Locke combining ruthless violence with a preening narcissistic streak and Charlie Creed-Miles is the trainee chauffeur, Billy who works for the just-released con and his greedy backstabbing buddies. He is the innocent pawn that is unwittingly pulled into a situation above his head. Alex Kingston brilliantly portrays Jason?s vengeful wife, Lisa and as we learn later on, she is a woman not to be scorned and screws them all literally as well as figuratively with double crosses galore. The film is gutsy, violent, has nasty paybacks and a dark mood to it but I think it?s worth a view.
Remi L

I was hoping for something similar to The Take but just ended up with this gritty, mean, (true) story about the murder of three British gangsters who, if this fictional retelling is to be believed, had it coming. Seriously, its impossible to sympathize with 98% of the characters in… More
I was hoping for something similar to The Take but just ended up with this gritty, mean, (true) story about the murder of three British gangsters who, if this fictional retelling is to be believed, had it coming. Seriously, its impossible to sympathize with 98% of the characters in this film! And whenever someone gets double-crossed, I just shrugged. Not only was it predictable, it was fitting. This film was all right, but I would've liked to see "Neddard Stark" in a better light =D
Barry L

Aactually based on a true story but its true...well over the top.