Euro Cult Movie Forum => British Films => Topic started by: Dorado on 09 Jul 2007 - 19:19
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Besides all the great Italian crime films and those they did in France the British also did a few top-notch crime films.
Most noticeably is probably my personal favourite Get Carter starring Michael Caine and Sitting Target starring Oliver Reed.
I’m no expert on British crime films though. Therefore it would be great if some of you in here could name some British crime films that come to your mind.
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The two 'Sweeney' films are pretty decent.
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There was a whole raft of 60s and 70s crime flicks including Michael Apted's THE SQUEEZE, Michael Tuchner's VILLAIN and the aforementioned SITTING TARGET made by Douglas Hickox - I'm a huge fan of SITTING TARGET - Oliver Reed puts in a great performance and there's some great use of South London locations. My knowledge of Bit crime flicks is somewhat lacking - it's something I really need to explore a little more.
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My favourite British crime films usually involve Michael Caine including THE ITALIAN JOB,GET CARTER,THE IPCRESS FILE,FUNERAL IN BERLIN,BILLION DOLLAR BRAIN,GAMBIT and THE BLACK WINDMILL.
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The two 'Sweeney' films are pretty decent.
I'd actually claim that the first is better than Get Carter.
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My favourite British crime films usually involve Michael Caine including THE ITALIAN JOB,GET CARTER,THE IPCRESS FILE,FUNERAL IN BERLIN,BILLION DOLLAR BRAIN,GAMBIT and THE BLACK WINDMILL.
Have you seen PULP? It was made by Mike Hodges, the year after GET CARTER and features Caine as a writer in Spain. It's not as good as GET CARTER - let's be fair, there are not many British films that are, but it's still a pleasing little flick...
I wasn't overly keen on THE BLACK WINDMILL - considering it was directed by one of my heroes - Don Siegel, I found it really lacking.
THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY has to eb one of the best British crime films, and is right up there with GET CARTER, IMO. Neil Jordan's MONA LISA is also a great film.
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My favourite British crime films usually involve Michael Caine including THE ITALIAN JOB,GET CARTER,THE IPCRESS FILE,FUNERAL IN BERLIN,BILLION DOLLAR BRAIN,GAMBIT and THE BLACK WINDMILL.
Have you seen PULP? It was made by Mike Hodges, the year after GET CARTER and features Caine as a writer in Spain. It's not as good as GET CARTER - let's be fair, there are not many British films that are, but it's still a pleasing little flick...
Yes this was on not so long ago but i can't remember it all that well. ???
I've got fond nostalgic memories of BLACK WINDMILL which used to be show regularly a couple of decades ago and those windmills are in the same Sussex county that i live in.Luckily after many years of waiting i managed to record it from ITV4 very recently.I'm sure there's other cruelly neglected British crimes that don't get aired.I also used to enjoy Caine in SILVER BEARS so hopefully i'll get lucky with that one too. :D
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SILVER BEARS was recently released on UK DVD by Optimum - I've never seen the film.
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Theres one with Michael Caine and Bob Hoskins called MONA LISA some people say its better than THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY.
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Theres one with Michael Caine and Bob Hoskins called MONA LISA some people say its better than THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY.
MONA LISA is a great film, Paperbag but it's most definitely not better than LONG GOOD FRIDAY, mate. THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY stands as the best British gangster film, in my opinion. MONA LISA on the other hand, is a lot lower-key and character driven drama. Definitely worth seeking out though.
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Yeah I need to see it... THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY is in my top 10
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Yeah I need to see it... THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY is in my top 10
I would never have guessed, looking at your avatar pic!
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SILVER BEARS was recently released on UK DVD by Optimum - I've never seen the film.
Thanks for that information Comapnero. ::)
Its a typical Michael Caine comedy thriller in which he plays the loveable crook who sets up a Swiss bank as part of a money laundering scam.Its not exactly classic stuff but still entertaining if you like this type of film. :'(
Caine and Hoskins are brilliant in MONA LISA but i can't remember LONG GOOD FRIDAY.
Surely the best British crime thriller of recent years is SEXY BEAST. :)
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SILVER BEARS was recently released on UK DVD by Optimum - I've never seen the film.
Caine and Hoskins are brilliant in MONA LISA but i can't remember LONG GOOD FRIDAY.
Surely the best British crime thriller of recent years is SEXY BEAST. :)
SEXY BEAST is superb. Brilliant film. You really need to see LONG GOOD FRIDAY again, mate.
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You really need to see LONG GOOD FRIDAY again, mate.
Yeah i need to pull my finger out,its on tv enough times. ;D
The same goes for THE THING which i've never watched(i'm a big ALIEN fan.) ???
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Sexy beast (Jonathan Glazer, 2000) is playing tonight on Danish television, and after the recommendations it has got in this thread I’m really looking forward to see it.
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I love the 'quota quickie' MAN IN THE BACK SEAT (Vernon Sewell, 1961). Anyone else seen this one?
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Sexy beast (Jonathan Glazer, 2000) is playing tonight on Danish television, and after the recommendations it has got in this thread I’m really looking forward to see it.
Sexy Beast is awesome, Ray winstone is excellent as always but in my eyes Ben Kingsley steals the show, you'll see what i mean when you see it
"I've got to change this shirt it's sticking to me, i'm sweating like a cunt!"
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Has anybody seen "Robbery" with Stanley Baker directed by Peter Yates, superb 60's British crime film loosley based on the great train robbery.
Great film and deserves a dvd release.
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Has anybody seen "Robbery" with Stanley Baker directed by Peter Yates, superb 60's British crime film loosley based on the great train robbery.
Great film and deserves a dvd release.
Yeah great movie,funnily enough Stanley Baker was manger for Soho Rangers a football team in the 60's which featured Eddie Richardson,Frankie Fraser and a load of other assorted villians from the time.Imagine playing against them :) :)
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Sexy beast (Jonathan Glazer, 2000) is playing tonight on Danish television, and after the recommendations it has got in this thread I’m really looking forward to see it.
Sexy Beast is awesome, Ray winstone is excellent as always but in my eyes Ben Kingsley steals the show, you'll see what i mean when you see it
"I've got to change this shirt it's sticking to me, i'm sweating like a cunt!"
I saw it yesterday and even though it was a good film I must say that I expected more.
There is too much swearing just for the sake of swearing in the film IMO, and not enough action.
The film is decent enough, but I have seen many better British crime films than this one.
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"The Business" is also a great Brithish crime film set in Spain
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Talking of British crime films set in Spain - Stephen Frear's THE HIT--starring John Hurt, Terence Stamp and a very young Tim Roth--is also excellent and highly recommended.
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Talking of British crime films set in Spain - Stephen Frear's THE HIT--starring John Hurt, Terence Stamp and a very young Tim Roth--is also excellent and highly recommended.
I was lucky enough to see this on the big screen a few years ago and it is a brilliant film Comp. Think all my favourites have been mentioned, especially The Long Good Friday, The Squeeze and Sitting Target ( my mate bought me an original double bill poster last christmas of Sitting Target and The Gang That Couldn't shoot straight) another favourite is the Hammer Film Hell Is A City starring Stanley Baker and filmed on location in Manchester. Baker is a no shit cop in this well worth a purchase!
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...another favourite is the Hammer Film Hell Is A City starring Stanley Baker and filmed on location in Manchester. Baker is a no shit cop in this well worth a purchase!
'Hell is a City' is a cracking film, haven't seen it for about 15 years but I remember it being gritty as hell, quite violent for it's time aswell if I remember right, doesn't Stanley kick some geezer in the face a bit on some roof top chase? It's been a while...
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I've got HELL IS A CITY - another one to get cracking and watch...
Was looking at the Optimum schedule today - they've got Sidney Hayers' PAYROLL coming out in November, along with two other Brit thrillers, though their names escape me - I shall report back with them tomorrow.
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PAYROLL is coming out? Get in ! Nice one Comp ::) I know that NETWORK are releasing ALL Coppers Are Bastards on the 27th which is pre ordered. Let the Hayers revival begin ;)
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PAYROLL is coming out? Get in ! Nice one Comp ::) I know that NETWORK are releasing ALL Coppers Are Bastards on the 27th which is pre ordered. Let the Hayers revival begin ;)
Yeah, I've pre ordered ALL COPPERS ARE... too. I watched DEADLY STRANGERS last night - I have the US tape which is pretty poor, quality-wise, as one would expect. Someone needs to pick this up and release it!
OPTIMUM are reelasing some great titles, as are Network. It's such a shame that a cloud looms over DD - they had some really nice titles due for release. I'm really getting into my British films of the 50s and 60s.
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Haven't seen Deadly Strangers Comp ! As you can probably tell I've loved Brit 50's 60's films for a long time!
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Haven't seen Deadly Strangers Comp ! As you can probably tell I've loved Brit 50's 60's films for a long time!
I've always dug them, just never got into watching them as I have right now. Another great film that needs a DVD release is Basil Dearden's SAPPHIRE. Marc seems to be under the impression that it's been released in Australia, but I've not managed to find one.
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Haven't seen Deadly Strangers Comp ! As you can probably tell I've loved Brit 50's 60's films for a long time!
I've always dug them, just never got into watching them as I have right now. Another great film that needs a DVD release is Basil Dearden's SAPPHIRE. Marc seems to be under the impression that it's been released in Australia, but I've not managed to find one.
Mmmm me neither! I heard rumours from Mr Morris but I can't seem to find it anywhere as well. Just ordered the Hammer Noir sets though good value for money...
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I took a look at those Hammer noir sets on DVD Pacific - they're really cheap, eh? Trouble is, there's so much great stuff coming out at the moment. It's really funny because there had been an abundance f decent back catalogue releases for a good while before they dried up a year/18 months ago, with them slowlly trickling through. But just recently, there's been a real surge. I'm really pleased titles like O'LUCKY MAN and the remastered Kubricks are coming, but when you look at all the other stuff that's been slated for release between August and October, there's heaps...
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The next couple of months look busy as far as British films are concerned mate, O'Lucky Man is pre ordered and is top of my priority list along with those midnite movies Brit Horrors etc... Still I can always sell me house and move into a three man tent with a portable dvd player :-\ It pisses me off as much as the next man though how many great albeit obscure Brit flicks the majors won't release! THE SQUEEZE and SITTING TARGET especially in the brit crime genre are sorely underrated. I showed a mate Sitting Target recently and he was practicaly jumping out of the chair at how good it was!
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I know, I know. SITTING TARGET is a classic of the highest order. Really good, gritty film and Reed is superb. I also liked identifying some of the locations that were used in the flick.
SQUEEZE I've not seen, though I believe I may have a copy knocking around somewhere.
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Haven't seen THE SQUEEZE for a couple of years myself Comp, but man you really should make the effort to dig it out of your collection and give it a go. I lost faith in ebay otherwise I'd buy a copy like a shot. Keach and Hemmings are superb in this, Hemmings being a particulary nasty cunt! And Keach playing a drunken cockney cop that's a performance you don't see every day.
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Haven't seen "The Squeeze", all i know of it is that a good few years ago someone was clutching one at a film fair and was going on and on about Freddie Starr being in it !!! What the fuck!
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Haven't seen "The Squeeze", all i know of it is that a good few years ago someone was clutching one at a film fair and was going on and on about Freddie Starr being in it !!! What the fuck!
I've had two copies of the pre-cert and have never seen it.
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Brit Flicks due out from Optimum on 5th November:
PAYROLL/Promised To Pay (Sidney Hayers, 1961)
CHASE A CROOKED SHADOW (Michael Anderson, 1958)
FEAR IS THE KEY (Michael Tuchner, 1972)
THE LONG ARM (Charles Frend, 1956)
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Fans of Sidney Hayers might be interested to know that Optimum in the UK will release the film PAYROLL on November 5.
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We know. Paul said just above you.
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Oops how ignorant of me... >:(
Anyway, looking forward to all those crime titles, hopefully someone will release DEADLY STRANGERS too!
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Oops how ignorant of me... >:(
Anyway, looking forward to all those crime titles, hopefully someone will release DEADLY STRANGERS too!
If you can play NTSC VHS, the US tape [on the Paragon Label] often crops up on eBay and Amazon Marketplace :-X
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Unfortunately, PAYROLL has been delayed until February 11th, 2008. :-[
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Last night I watched Sidney Hayers' DIAGNOSIS: MURDER (1974). I strongly suggest seeking out the US release of this one. It's a taught little murder mystery with a stellar cast (Christopher Lee, Judy Geeson, Jon Finch).
imdb: user comments (http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0072876/usercomments?filter=best)
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Last night I watched Sidney Hayers' DIAGNOSIS: MURDER (1974). I strongly suggest seeking out the US release of this one. It's a taught little murder mystery with a stellar cast (Christopher Lee, Judy Geeson, Jon Finch).
imdb: user comments ([url]http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0072876/usercomments?filter=best[/url])
Can you enlighten us about the US release, mate? Is this a poor-qaulity PD DVD or VHS release you're referring to?
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I have the US DVD on order, and it seems to be a very obscure release because it was very difficult to find. I suppose it's a grey market release - so what's the quality like?
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It's not a grey market release - it was issued by Trinity, on license from Castle Hill. Quality is nice.
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It's not a grey market release - it was issued by Trinity, on license from Castle Hill. Quality is nice.
Cheers for the recommendation, Mar - I've just ordered one from Amazon.com. :P
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Thanks for the info, Marc - now I'm looking forward to my copy even more!! ;)
Btw, does anybody know what happened with Trinity's release of Sergio Martino's VENDETTA DAL FUTURO?
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Imo vintage britiish gangster films of the 70s and 80s are better then more current ones. They really had more character development and the overall atmosphere and settings were much grittier and somber without the fast rapid editing of current brit films. opinions?
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(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51lNpp13X7L._SX220_.jpg)
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I have this on pre-order :-X
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Me too - let's hope they release Deadly Strangers as well! :P
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Imo vintage britiish gangster films of the 70s and 80s are better then more current ones. They really had more character development and the overall atmosphere and settings were much grittier and somber without the fast rapid editing of current brit films. opinions?
I definitely agree, but with some exceptions: for example, I thought (and still think) SEXY BEAST is one of the best British films of this decade, largely thanks to the cast. (Ben Kingsley was superb: 'He touched my front bum'.)
I also have a lot of time for Mike Hodges' I'LL SLEEP WHEN I'M DEAD, which is very much a counterpoint to the modern Guy Ritchie-influenced school of British crime cinema, a bitter and dark film written by one of our best screenwriters (Trevor Preston; remember FOX and OUT?), a man who came from a pretty rough background and who by no coincidence also happens to hate all the LOCK, STOCK AND TWO SMOKING BARRELS-style films that were popular between around 1997 and 2005-ish. Preston once described the Ritchie-esque filmmakers as 'pricks from Oxford, most of them'. Trev tends not to mince his words :-\
One of the problems that I find with British crime films is that they tend to be very London-centric, not making use of the iconic British countryside or smaller towns and rural areas (or, for that matter, other cities); I guess that's partly why DEAD MAN'S SHOES was such a blast of fresh air.
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Everyone knows that all the gangster films are set in London because there aren't any tough guys in the rest of the country... :-\
There are some great examples of Brit crime flicks from th seventies and eighties - LONG GOOD FRIDAY, GET CARTER, VILLIAN, MONA LISA, etc, but I agree with Vito, there have been some decent stabs at the genre a lot more recently. The aforementioned SEXY BEAST is a highlight and I also have a lot of time for LAYER CAKE (which really has a bit of a dig at Ritchie's flicks). I also think LOVE, HONOUR AND OBEY and GANGSTER No1 are vastly underrated.
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'Get Carter' for the most part was filmed in Newcastle, check out the link below for a tour of the locations...
http://www.getcartertour.co.uk/
'Layer Cake' is one of my favourite films...
"My name? If you knew that, you'd be as clever as me."
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LAYER CAKE is good; I enjoyed GANGSTER NO. 1 too.
'Get Carter' for the most part was filmed in Newcastle, check out the link below for a tour of the locations...
Hodges was initially going to shoot GET CARTER around Scunthorpe/Doncaster/Grimsby, which is the area where Ted Lewis' novel is set (Ted Lewis was from Hull); but the producers wanted it to be filmed in an area of the UK that would be recognisable to the Americans, and so they decided on Newcastle.
There are some fantastic locations used in the film; didn't they recently tear down the car park featured in the film?
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LAYER CAKE is good; I enjoyed GANGSTER NO. 1 too.
[There are some fantastic locations used in the film; didn't they recently tear down the car park featured in the film?
Don't think it's happened yet I'm sure there was something on our local news about a petition and the council waiting on a decision? Could be wrong though.
Gangster No 1 is a great film McDowell's opening line "What do you take me for a cunt?" as you think he's about to piss in his champagne is a cracker! And Layer Cake is a good film as well made me laugh that Matthew Vaughn basically showed Guy Twating Richie that this is the way to do it! ::)
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The Jamie Forman character in LAYER CAKE is epitomises the wide-boy charlatan types that seem to populate Ritchie's first couple of flicks; the type of criminal that would last all of around five minutes on the streets before getting dispatched by a rival or nicked by the police. Daniel Craig's voice over dismisses him (and his type) very early on and I couldn't help that this particular piece of dialogue was a critique of Ritchie's films in general.
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Out on Tuesday, a triple bill of Brit-crime from Optimum. As we have come to expect from this studio's library releases there is not an extra to be seen, but the prints are superb.
I've had a first peek:
Frightened City (http://mondo-esoterica.net/Frightened%20City.html) - not as hot as I had hoped for.
The Long Arm (http://mondo-esoterica.net/Long%20Arm.html) - new to DVD and worth seeing, a more traditional crime film with a good storyline.
Payroll (http://mondo-esoterica.net/Payroll.html) - new to DVD and recommended, a solid film that all British cinema fans should pick up.
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My copy of PAYROLL is on the way too ::)
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'Layer Cake' is one of my favourite films...
Not to sound rude or anything, but why? I have forgotten why, but i thought it was very bad, when i first saw it....
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I love pretty much all British crime films with the exception of the 'mockney' ones made by Guy Ritchie. Matthew Vaughn made what I consider to be the 'anti-mockney' British gangster film and pulled it off with great style and got some stellar performances from his cast. Daniel Craig is just perfect, Kenneth Cranham is at times hilarious especially at the golf club, Mihael Gambon though only in a small role is also terrific. I also get a great kick out of seeing small faces from the world of British TV and film get the chance to really shine on the big screen in a decent budgeted production, one of my favourites in 'Layer Cake' is Stephen Walters who plays the lolly pop sucking Shanks and has been seen on TV in the past in programs like 'Brookside' and recently as 'Mad Twatter' in Channel 4's 'Skins'
Vaughn never tries to make his locations anything other than realistic, no over stylising here just realism. Rather make the UK look miserable, as per the US's cliched view of our country, he shows how good it can look and though London can indeed be a shit pit it's also a great looking city.
Great soundtrack too.
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I think SNATCH is really well made though, I can't help but love that movie
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'Snatch' is head and shoulders above 'Lock, Stock' and is in hindsight quite a decent film, possibly hampered by Vinnie Jones who I really can't find enjoyable in films in any way at all.
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'Snatch' is head and shoulders above 'Lock, Stock' and is in hindsight quite a decent film, possibly hampered by Vinnie Jones who I really can't find enjoyable in films in any way at all.
Vinnie Jones is definitely not one of our better actors, eh? His presence in any film seems to weaken the overall quality, IMO. LAYER CAKE is better than LOCK, STOCK and SNATCH, I reckon.
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SWEENEY 2 was on itv4 this aft. Looked pretty good. I didnt see it all tho. Might have to search it out.
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It's worth watching, but SWEENEY! is a far better film. It's a British Poliziotteschi!!
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It's worth watching, but SWEENEY! is a far better film. It's a British Poliziotteschi!!
Just watched SWEENEY! and your damn right mate! The shot of the copper getting shot realy shocked me, doubt if it would get past the censors now. Fucking Reagan is the man :)
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SWEENEY 2 was on itv4 this aft. Looked pretty good. I didnt see it all tho. Might have to search it out.
it would have been cut to fuck surely?
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It's worth watching, but SWEENEY! is a far better film. It's a British Poliziotteschi!!
Just watched SWEENEY! and your damn right mate! The shot of the copper getting shot realy shocked me, doubt if it would get past the censors now. Fucking Reagan is the man :)
Fucking A! It's in my top ten films.
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Because of all the praise you are giving it I just ordered The Sweeny, the Sweeny2 and Regan the original sweeny pilot movie.
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Fuck. You shouldn't listen to me. I'm a fucking idiot.
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Fuck. You shouldn't listen to me. I'm a fucking idiot.
:-\ Idiots sometimes talk sense mate ! :-*
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Fuck. You shouldn't listen to me. I'm a fucking idiot.
:-\ Idiots sometimes talk sense mate ! :-*
not if they are trying to play blackjack or any other card games
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Haven't caught the SWEENEY films yet (Also still need to see ROBBERY, VILLIAN, SITTING TARGET and THE SQUEEZE)
...but my favorite British Crime films are PERFORMANCE, GET CARTER, THE HIT, THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY, GANGSTER No1, MONA LISA and SEXY BEAST. I also like CROUPIER, I'LL SLEEP WHEN I'M DEAD and LAYER CAKE.
Earlier films I like are Stanley Baker in Joseph Losey's THE CRIMINAL (1960) and Val Guest's HELL IS A CITY (1960), but am really found of John Boulting's BRIGHTON ROCK (1947) with Richard Attenborough and Wylie Watson, though Graham Greene's novel in much more satisfying and complex. Alberto Cavalcanti's THEY MADE ME A FUGITIVE (1947) with Trevor Howard is also quite good.
Carol Reed's THE THIRD MAN and ODD MAN OUT (Though set in Vienna and Belfast) are classics!
I've never had any interest in seeing a Guy Ritchie film.
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Haven't seen Deadly Strangers Comp ! As you can probably tell I've loved Brit 50's 60's films for a long time!
I've always dug them, just never got into watching them as I have right now. Another great film that needs a DVD release is Basil Dearden's SAPPHIRE. Marc seems to be under the impression that it's been released in Australia, but I've not managed to find one.
Mmmm me neither! I heard rumours from Mr Morris but I can't seem to find it anywhere as well. Just ordered the Hammer Noir sets though good value for money...
SAPPHIRE was available in Australia but it's now out of print -I managed to find, bid upon and win one on eBay over the weekend, thanks to forum member Paperbag bringing it to my atention. Really looking forward to catching up with this again when it arrives - I've not seen it in almost 15 years. I'll start a dedicated thread when it arrives and will review the disc for the main site.
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Don't forget Stanley fucking Baker in Robbery is supposedly coming out soon.
http://hmv.com/hmvweb/displayProductDetails.do?ctx=285;5;-1;-1&sku=760801
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Some bloke at imdb claims that Robbery is delayed until July 21.
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Anyone konw if a 16x9 (any region will do) DVD of THE HIT is available? Love that film! ;)
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Anyone konw if a 16x9 (any region will do) DVD of THE HIT is available? Love that film! ;)
The only version available, to my knowledge, is the Artisan release in the states and it's fullscreen. The film would have been shot in 1.66, so you're not going to be missing much off the sides. Not ideal, but it's the only way you can get it.
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Anyone konw if a 16x9 (any region will do) DVD of THE HIT is available? Love that film! ;)
The only version available, to my knowledge, is the Artisan release in the states and it's fullscreen. The film would have been shot in 1.66, so you're not going to be missing much off the sides. Not ideal, but it's the only way you can get it.
Yeah, it's oop and (expensive). Plus I want an anamorphic transfer to fill (pillarbox) my 16x9 screen. It's surprising that a film by Frears with such great talent, Stamp, Hurt, Rey, Roth and Broadbent wouldn't have a nice release somewhere. :-[
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Anyone konw if a 16x9 (any region will do) DVD of THE HIT is available? Love that film! ;)
The only version available, to my knowledge, is the Artisan release in the states and it's fullscreen. The film would have been shot in 1.66, so you're not going to be missing much off the sides. Not ideal, but it's the only way you can get it.
Yeah, it's oop and (expensive). Plus I want an anamorphic transfer to fill (pillarbox) my 16x9 screen. It's surprising that a film by Frears with such great talent, Stamp, Hurt, Rey, Roth and Broadbent wouldn't have a nice release somewhere. :-[
You would have thought it would have come out in England, for sure. It think the rights may be tied up with one of the bigger studios. If they're not, Marc should consider releasing it through Nucleus.
It's a great film - I've been a fan since I watched the old Palace rental VHS in the early 90s. I bought the Artisan disc when it was first release. Had no idea it was now OOP.
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Don't forget Stanley fucking Baker in Robbery
He was known to socialise with various London gangsters in the 50's and 60's and was even manager of SoHo Rangers football team who had Eddie Richardson,Frankie Fraser and Albert Dimes from Clerkenwell amongst their players,seems he was a bit of a hard bastard in real life.
Here he is with Fraser and Richardson
(http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/4246/gmadot4.jpg)
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It's a great film - I've been a fan since I watched the old Palace rental VHS in the early 90s. I bought the Artisan disc when it was first release. Had no idea it was now OOP.
I held off buying two Artisan discs, THE HIT and Donald Cammell's THE WILD SIDE, because they were both full-frame. Now both are OOP and expensive. Oh well, I've got both on VHS tape. Maybe I'll get the British disc of WILD LIFE since it's pretty inexpensive, looks like it's the director's cut, even though it is full-frame. Oh well!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wild-Side-Anne-Heche/dp/B000050GOU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1213087125&sr=1-1
Time for me to go to bed. Catch y'all tomorrow. it's 1:44 AM PST and I've got to rise at 7:00 AM. :-* Nighty-night!
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Michael, did you know that the UK disc of WILD SIDE is a reconstruction of Cammell's originally-intended cut?
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As I'm chiming in so late, I won't re-iterate praise for GET CARTER, SITTING TARGET, ROBBERY, SNATCH, SEXY BEAST or CROUPIER (oops, I just did), but I will mention this telefilm:
THE HARD WAY (for ITV, starring Patrick McGoohan and Lee Van Cleef, 1979)
Anyone seen it? It's slow moving but brilliant -- with a brooding performance by McGoohan and a climactic shootout that makes excellent use of a fuse box (all I'm saying).
The only disc -- that I'm aware of -- is this French-language release:
http://www.priceminister.com/offer/buy/11000376/Le-Dernier-Contrat-DVD-Zone-2.html
But it has had an English-lang VHS.
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Michael, did you know that the UK disc of WILD SIDE is a reconstruction of Cammell's originally-intended cut?
Well, I knew the film had been taken away from him and recut on its initial release :-[, which I heard was one of the reasons, sadly, that he did himself in, but that his editor Frank Mazzola (I believe that's his name) had reconstructed a version that approximated Cammell's intended vision.
Right?
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Michael, did you know that the UK disc of WILD SIDE is a reconstruction of Cammell's originally-intended cut?
Well, I knew the film had been taken away from him and recut on its initial release :-[, which I heard was one of the reasons, sadly, that he did himself in, but that his editor Frank Mazzola (I believe that's his name) had reconstructed a version that approximated Cammell's intended vision.
Right?
That's right - and it was released in cinemas and on DVD and VHS here in the UK by Tartan. I always though the US release was the Nu-Image tinkered version. Am I wrong?
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I always though the US release was the Nu-Image tinkered version. Am I wrong?
I believe Artisan put it out. It's the version that Cammell hated. It was taken away from him and recut. Too bad the Tartan DVd is full-frame and not 1.66:1 anamorphic. Think I'll still pick it up! :-X
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Rather than start a thread for it, I`ll just mention here that I saw CLOUDBURST (1951), the first Hammer film done at Bray Studios. Robert Preston stars as a former Resistance fighter/codebreaker whose pregnant wife is run over by two bandits after they`ve just killed a night watchman during a botched robbery. Thanks to his former fellow soldiers and commando training, he`s able to track down the guilty couple (a washed up boxer and his girl) and makes his plans for bloody vengeance. A persistent Inspector is the only obstacle in his way...Really enjoyed this film, it packs quite an emotional wallop. The grief stricken Preston, with only the hope of killing the destructors of his future to keep him going, isn`t above torture to get answers. Ironically his wife had once been captured by the Gestapo and tortured when they were looking for him. An all around solid cast and quite violent, this is a terrific noirish film.
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...but my favorite British Crime films are PERFORMANCE, GET CARTER, THE HIT, THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY, GANGSTER No1, MONA LISA and SEXY BEAST. I also like CROUPIER, I'LL SLEEP WHEN I'M DEAD and LAYER CAKE.
Criterion will be releasing THE HIT on April 28, 2009. :)
The single DVD release will list for $29.95 US, with a 1.77:1 anamorphic transfer.
http://www.criterion.com/films/1285
Extras include:
A new, restored high-definition digital transfer, approved by director of photography Mike Molloy;
Commentary featuring director Stephen Frears and actors John Hurt and Tim Roth;
Parkinson One-to-One: “Terence Stamp,” a 1988 television interview with the actor;
Original theatrical trailer; and
A booklet featuring a new essay by film critic Graham Fuller.
YIPEE! ::)
(http://criterion_production.s3.amazonaws.com/release_images/2065/466_box_348x490.jpg)
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I have the Swedish DVD... it's quite OK and I won't need to upgrade. :-)
(http://cdon.se/media-dynamic/images/product/000/443/443898.jpg)
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I have the shitty, non-anamorphic release from Artisan, so I'd like to upgrage.
Talking of Frears, I watched the excellent DIRTY PRETTY THINGS for the second time, last night. It's a great film and was written by Steven Knight who would later scribe EASTERN PROMISES, the film stars Chiwetel Ejiofor and AMELIE's Audrey Tautou as illegal imigrants working at a London hotel. Definitely worth a watch if you've not seen it. Chris Menges' cinematography is gorgeous and almost giallo-like.
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Talking of Frears
Mr.Jolly lives next door ::)
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The below message was over on the Lee Van Cleef web board:
http://disc.yourwebapps.com/discussion.cgi?disc=148193;article=15134;title=Lee%20Van%20Cleef%20Web%20Board
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Hello,
If anyone is interested i have just noticed. The Hard Way with Lee Van Cleef and Patrick McGoohan has been passed by the British board of Film Censors for DVD release in the UK. should come out shortly
All the best
David D.
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I have the shitty, non-anamorphic release from Artisan, so I'd like to upgrage.
Talking of Frears, I watched the excellent DIRTY PRETTY THINGS for the second time, last night. It's a great film and was written by Steven Knight who would later scribe EASTERN PROMISES.
I'm not a Londoner, of course, haven't even vistited yet :-[ , but I always of EASTERN PROMISES and DIRTY PRETTY THINGS as a good double feature to watch about the immigrant experience (of the many) in London. Am I off-base?
Interesting that they were both written by the same person. :-X
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I have the shitty, non-anamorphic release from Artisan, so I'd like to upgrage.
Talking of Frears, I watched the excellent DIRTY PRETTY THINGS for the second time, last night. It's a great film and was written by Steven Knight who would later scribe EASTERN PROMISES.
I'm not a Londoner, of course, haven't even vistited yet :-[ , but I always of EASTERN PROMISES and DIRTY PRETTY THINGS as a good double feature to watch about the immigrant experience (of the many) in London. Am I off-base?
Interesting that they were both written by the same person. :-X
I'd say that both films are fairly accurate but only speak of a small minority of the immigrants that live in London, to be honest. While there's certainly a believable, social-political edge, they certainly work a lot better as entertainments.
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I'd say that both films are fairly accurate but only speak of a small minority of the immigrants that live in London, to be honest.
That's why I wrote (of the many). I'm sure there are as many immigrant experiences in London as there are immigrants. :-X
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The Hard Way with Lee Van Cleef and Patrick McGoohan has been passed by the British board of Film Censors for DVD release in the UK. should come out shortly
Anybody know who might be putting this out? Marc? Anyone?
Think it'll be a boutique label? I have some killer artwork for the film I'd be willing to scan hi-res and send if I can get connected...
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Sound & Media according to the BBFC website.
BBFC-The Hard Way (http://www.bbfc.co.uk/website/Classified.nsf/0/5DCAFDF918F81B398025754C0036FDFE?OpenDocument)
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Thanks, Kev.
Sound & Media seems to be the same company as Network DVD.
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Thanks, Kev.
Sound & Media seems to be the same company as Network DVD.
They are, mate.
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That is good news, Network makes this the best chance we have of getting a solid transfer and extras of all the UK DVD companies at present.
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Anyone have a contact at Network DVD?
Never mind; I heard from them.
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Wow, I just watched 'Criminal'(1960). That is some seriously good cinema (review soon!).
I saw 'Frightened City', 'Hell is a City' and 'Payroll' a while back as well and enjoyed every one. Can anyone recommend any similar titles from the era that are on DVD?
Cheers.
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Cool thread. I'm a big fan of Get Carter (1971) as well as Pulp (1972) which almost seems like a parody companion piece. Incidentally, George Martin did the score for Pulp, which is also great.
I also really like Cloudburst (1951) and was surprised to find it mentioned.
Others I enjoy:
Brighton Rock (1947)
Cul-de-Sac (1966)
Mona Lisa (1986)
The Long Good Friday (1980)
Sexy Beast (2001)
Don't know if Peeping Tom (1960) falls into the Crime or Horror genre, but whatever it is , I love it.