This is the 'true-life' movie about the rise, and subsequent fall, of England's best known gangsters, who were also identical twins. It was made whist Reg & Ron Kray were still alive, so the viewer must remember that the movie probably does not paint the entire picture of events in the 1950s & 1960s, as certain things that were not wanted to be included by the the Krays themselves, were therefore not included. Although the movie does glamorise it's two main characters, I believe it has done much to add to the myth and folklore that surrounds the Krays, which can only increase as time passes.
People young and old, and from all spectrum's of society, are drawn towards the Kray twins, and books have been written exploring this. Old-timers claim that the streets were safe to walk when the twins ruled London's East End, unlike now, and that the Krays 'only killed there own'. If you had a problem, say with a neighbour, you didn't go to the police, you went to the twins, who would have a quiet word in the right ear.
This is without a doubt the Kemp brothers best work outside Spandau Ballet. I understand that Martin Kemp did not want to meet the imprisoned twin he played (Reg), to avoid a playing a caricaturization of him. Although he did visit Ron in a mental hospital. Billie Whitlaw as the twins' mother Violet, was the best choice for the role, and Kate Hardie as Reg's wife was brilliant. My vote though, goes to the late Susan Fleetwood as the twins' Aunt Violet, whose haunting tale of the lake in Victoria Park is my all-time favourite.
I have discussed this movie at length with Reg Kray's son, even watching it with him, and he gives it his seal of approval.
People young and old, and from all spectrum's of society, are drawn towards the Kray twins, and books have been written exploring this. Old-timers claim that the streets were safe to walk when the twins ruled London's East End, unlike now, and that the Krays 'only killed there own'. If you had a problem, say with a neighbour, you didn't go to the police, you went to the twins, who would have a quiet word in the right ear.
This is without a doubt the Kemp brothers best work outside Spandau Ballet. I understand that Martin Kemp did not want to meet the imprisoned twin he played (Reg), to avoid a playing a caricaturization of him. Although he did visit Ron in a mental hospital. Billie Whitlaw as the twins' mother Violet, was the best choice for the role, and Kate Hardie as Reg's wife was brilliant. My vote though, goes to the late Susan Fleetwood as the twins' Aunt Violet, whose haunting tale of the lake in Victoria Park is my all-time favourite.
I have discussed this movie at length with Reg Kray's son, even watching it with him, and he gives it his seal of approval.