The Krays (1990)

Director:

Peter Medak

Writer:

Philip Ridley (written by)

Release Date:

9 November 1990 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Crime | Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

When People are afraid of you, You can do anything. Remember that.

Plot:

This fact-based movie follows the life of the twin crime-lords in London's 60's underworld.

Plot Keywords:

Brother Brother Relationship | Cockney Accent | Neglected Wife | Protection Racket | Sword

Awards:

Nominated for BAFTA Film Award. Another 4 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Billie Whitelaw	...	Violet Kray
Tom Bell	...	Jack 'The Hat' McVitie
Gary Kemp	...	Ronald Kray
Martin Kemp	...	Reggie Kray
Susan Fleetwood	...	Rose
Charlotte Cornwell	...	May
Kate Hardie	...	Frances
Avis Bunnage	...	Helen
Alfred Lynch	...	Charlie Kray
Gary Love	...	Steve
Steven Berkoff	...	George Cornell
Jimmy Jewel	...	Cannonball Lee
Barbara Ferris	...	Mrs. Lawson
Victor Spinetti	...	Mr. Lawson
John McEnery	...	Eddie Pellam

Also Known As:

The Kray Brothers (Scotland: English title)
The Kray Twins (Europe: English title)

Runtime:

119 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Finland:K-18 | France:-12 | Norway:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | USA:R | West Germany:18 | Australia:R

Filming Locations:

Bethnal Green, London, England, UK

Company:

Fugitive Features

Trivia:

The East End of London had been extensively redeveloped since the Krays' heyday so the company filmed across the River Thames in Greenwich, especially in Caradoc Street.

Goofs:

Factual errors: In the boxing scene at the fairground, the twins' are portrayed as young adults and that the fight between them transpires after Ronnie knocks out the prize fighter - this incident actually took place when they were both small boys. The ringmaster shouted to the crowd if anyone wanted to take on the show fighter and the young Ronnie Kray shouted that he'd fight him. Amid much laughter, the referee pointedly said he was a bit young - whereupon Reggie stepped up and challenged his brother. They fought gamely, and were both awarded half a crown for their efforts; this was also the bout that led to their later semi-professional careers as pugilists.

Quotes:

Violet Kray: Shall I tell you my dream? I dreamed that I was a beautiful white swan. And I could fly anywhere, do anything. I ate fish and pecked at things with my beak. And I had this egg, a beautiful egg it was. And there were noises coming from inside the shell...

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: Gorgo (#10.9)" (1998)

Soundtrack:

She's Not There

A movie I never tire of watching

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.