Well, they had me fooled!

Rating: 7/10 (27 April 2019)

I never realized that Hardy was playing the both of them!
Good London Gangland style material, the British version of the Mafia is much more vicious, and this movie portrays it in all of its torturous, maiming methods. The Mafia usually "off" their victims, but for some reason the brutes back home seem to prefer scarring and maiming . In their minds it's probably a better method to have a living reminder to potential enemies of what can happen to you if you don't toe the line ( and cutting off a toe is a common device)
I'm sure glad I never came into contact with them, 'cos I've got a big mouth and I tend to stand up to people . If you stood up to these boys then you ended up seriously injured or dead.
That reign of terror is over now only to be replaced by some other kingpins who have much the same way of doing things as their predecessors. One good thing that I take out of the Gangland Life is that if you don't mess with them then they don't bother you.
And so to the movie, it's realistic and reflects the culture of the times very well.
The Krays liked to show off their power with fancy cars and night clubs but strangely enough they didn't seem to go for the flash palaces, swimming pools and the overt displays of wealth that happens in America.
They were happy with those night clubs and booze and they didn't seem to need much more. Their motivation was spreading fear and protecting home turf from nasty invaders
You don't have to look far when you're casting for Cockney type movies and they always seem to get a crew that you think they've dragged in off the street.
Just super characterizations in every role. No pretty boys wiv' perfick teeth, just the usual battered, broken nosed ugly thugs on the men's side, and normal Mum's and girls on the female side.
Not a real classic because it's got no plot but it's worth watching