Do like heist/crime caper films, have done for a while, and there are good ones out there. 'The League of Gentlemen's' main interest point was the cast full of talented actors and that it was the first feature from the Allied Film Makers company, also with major members playing big roles in the film. Had seen a lot of favourable reviews as well as seeing some from those that didn't like it as much, so that raised my interest further and it was hard to not expect a lot.
'The League of Gentlemen' mostly did live up to expectations. To me, it isn't quite as good as or the near-masterpiece that some have made it out to be. There are things that could have been done better and anybody that doesn't connect with it shouldn't be grudged against. There are so many great things that outweigh those flaws and make 'The League of Gentlemen' well worth watching. Do agree with those that have taken issue with the film being labelled misleadingly as a comedy, it's a long way from that.
From personal opinion, 'The League of Gentlemen' got off to a rather stodgy start that takes too long to set up. Oliver Reed's cameo felt very out of place and was neither funny or tasteful.
Also really did not buy how the crime was solved in so little time, not realistic, and Hyde at this point goes from meticulously intelligent to ridiculously sloppy just like that.
However, 'The League of Gentlemen' is filmed with much stylish grit, perfectly suited to the uncompromising tone, while also looking oddly beautiful at the same time and making the most of the locations. It is meticulously directed by Basil Dearden and unobtrusively scored. The script is intelligent, especially when the planning is happening, and there didn't seem to be any unnecessary fat.
Once the story got going it is rousing stuff, with intricate without being too complex and thoughtfully written planning and the heisting has tension and excitement. The characters are admittedly hard to like, some understandably finding the of the time bigotry of them hard to take and a turn off. These characters though are still interesting and quite layered, especially Hyde, and Reed is the one sore of spot of the otherwise solid as rocks cast. Jack Hawkins and Nigel Patrick being the standouts.
All in all, mostly good but not great. 7/10
'The League of Gentlemen' mostly did live up to expectations. To me, it isn't quite as good as or the near-masterpiece that some have made it out to be. There are things that could have been done better and anybody that doesn't connect with it shouldn't be grudged against. There are so many great things that outweigh those flaws and make 'The League of Gentlemen' well worth watching. Do agree with those that have taken issue with the film being labelled misleadingly as a comedy, it's a long way from that.
From personal opinion, 'The League of Gentlemen' got off to a rather stodgy start that takes too long to set up. Oliver Reed's cameo felt very out of place and was neither funny or tasteful.
Also really did not buy how the crime was solved in so little time, not realistic, and Hyde at this point goes from meticulously intelligent to ridiculously sloppy just like that.
However, 'The League of Gentlemen' is filmed with much stylish grit, perfectly suited to the uncompromising tone, while also looking oddly beautiful at the same time and making the most of the locations. It is meticulously directed by Basil Dearden and unobtrusively scored. The script is intelligent, especially when the planning is happening, and there didn't seem to be any unnecessary fat.
Once the story got going it is rousing stuff, with intricate without being too complex and thoughtfully written planning and the heisting has tension and excitement. The characters are admittedly hard to like, some understandably finding the of the time bigotry of them hard to take and a turn off. These characters though are still interesting and quite layered, especially Hyde, and Reed is the one sore of spot of the otherwise solid as rocks cast. Jack Hawkins and Nigel Patrick being the standouts.
All in all, mostly good but not great. 7/10