The Krays (1990)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Anthony L

  
  I could have sworn I've reviewed this before!? Anyway, The Krays has certainly stood the test of time. It remains as powerful as it was on its release, even if the actors haven't. Peter Medak made sure not to skip over any detail too, I've seen a few other versions were… More
  I could have sworn I've reviewed this before!? Anyway, The Krays has certainly stood the test of time. It remains as powerful as it was on its release, even if the actors haven't. Peter Medak made sure not to skip over any detail too, I've seen a few other versions were Ronald Kray's homosexuality wasn't even mentioned. I've never understood the admiration the Krays have received over the years, charismatic yes but nasty pieces of work also but this film remains faithful to their story to its credit.

• Lady D

  
  I can't believe this film is 20 years old! It was a much awaited British film at the time of it's release and the first of many to spark the gangster/celebrity true crime genre. The film itself, is not a greatly made film, the Kemp brothers weren't necessarily the… More
  I can't believe this film is 20 years old! It was a much awaited British film at the time of it's release and the first of many to spark the gangster/celebrity true crime genre. The film itself, is not a greatly made film, the Kemp brothers weren't necessarily the best choice for the roles, there are major discrepancies between the film and later books that were released and of course many unproven things at that time, that couldn't make it into the film itself. Perhaps at some point there will be a much more accurate telling of the story, but I'm sure that will take a long while until it can be made, rumours spread for many years that Ray Winstone would be offered the chance to play both Ron and Reg, but that doesn't seem to have materialised. What I did like about this film was how they showed the war days, the poverty, the East End spirit and the background where the boys grew up. Billie Whitelaw was also a credit to this cast and gave an enjoyable performance. I haven't watched the film for years, but there must be something I really liked about it, as I still seem to know every quoteable line from it. If you are a fan of true crime stories, then it's certainly worth a watch.

• El Hombre I

  
  Based on the true story of identical twin brothers Ronald and Reginald Kray, the drama of the most notorious British crime lords focuses on character to include homosexuality, a domineering mother, and jealousy leading to hyperviolent bloodletting, rather than the glamorization of… More
  Based on the true story of identical twin brothers Ronald and Reginald Kray, the drama of the most notorious British crime lords focuses on character to include homosexuality, a domineering mother, and jealousy leading to hyperviolent bloodletting, rather than the glamorization of the gangster lifestyle. The Brits love their gangster movies, especially when they're about Brits, and The Krays has enough to stand alongside some of the best gangster films to date. Considering the stars of the film, Martin and Gary Kemp, are from the 80's group Spandau Ballet, this movie is anything but soft. <a href="http://s273.photobucket.com/albums/jj203/goji9000/?action=view¤t=Krays.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj203/goji9000/Krays.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

• Sarah G

  
  <a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q202/sarah88_uk/KRAY.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a> This fact-based movie… More
  <a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q202/sarah88_uk/KRAY.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a> This fact-based movie follows the life of the twin crime-lords in London's 60's underworld A great British ganster film that depicts the life of London's most famous gamster brother so well. Noth actors researching their roles as Martin Kemp, visited his counter-part in prison. They gives the definition of method acting at it's best. Brilliant! The Krays is directed well, at times with a hand-held camera and Montage editing at times. Of Course it's not going to be as great as Scorsese's Ganster classic Goodfellas(1990), made at that time-put for sure it will be a true Brit classic for years to come. This film is a depiction of power, greed and money and how it corrupts. "When people are afraid of you, you can do anything" says Ronnie Kray to his brother Reggie. The greediness and other forms of corruption - like revenge - become so strong that they finally destroy everything the brothers have reached. Clearly throughout the film we begin to see Ronnie becoming the more diminent twin and we see his homersexual tendencies. Played brilliantly by Gary Kemp, who really pocessed the character well; perhaps better than Martin for me. To define brilliant acting, you need the actors to become the protagnists on screen, and that is what we see with real-life brothers; Gary and Martin Kemp. The fact that they are brothers in real life, makes them more believable on screen. Martin and Gary Kemp here, and perhaps with some shock, were perfectly cast as the boys in their adult life. Gary Kemp as Ronnie Kray carried off, with a certain ease, the slowly more violent character, while Martin Kemp built up a more subtle, but equally as impressive performance as Reggie. Bille Whitelaw was perfect as the mother of the twins - Violet Kray, and her lines (such as "Mummy loves you") always seemed in place. Her gentle aging throughout the film was also carried off in time with the character. A very honorable mention goes to Susan Fleetwood, who played Aunt Rose admirably. Michael Kamen and Chris Rea came up with music with commented on the action, and brought a genuine sense of unease to the picture. The actress playing Francis, Reggie's wife, perfectly played her character well- and convincing at that. Perhpaps the only flaw with this film is that some of the character's actions aren't explained fully enough, and there is no real explanation as to HOW that got to power. For me, that didn't matter as the two hours flew by and I din't really notice. Most of the scenes in the movie, really happened and some really made me squirm at times. Overall the film perfectly shows the life and times of the brothers. Also gave me an insight into life in the East End of Londonin the 1960's. *Recomended Watch*

• Dean !

  
  A cool violent drama charting the life of the notorious Krays brothers.

• Marcus W

  
  The British answer to Godfather which may lack the polish (it's really looking dated now), but it doesn't have all the paunch either. It's the character work that stuns here - it's slightly better than Long Good Friday. Any fans of gangster movies absolutely must… More
  The British answer to Godfather which may lack the polish (it's really looking dated now), but it doesn't have all the paunch either. It's the character work that stuns here - it's slightly better than Long Good Friday. Any fans of gangster movies absolutely must see this. Thoroughly engrossing.

• hawk l

  
  Extraordinary film, with extraordinary acting and spooky synergy from brothers Gary and Martin Kemp, members of the '80s pop group Spandau Ballet.

Read all 7 featured audience ratings