Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1381 in DVD
• Released on: 2007-12-26
• Rating: Suitable for 18 years and over
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 114 minutes

Synopsis
RISE OF THE FOOTSOLDIER charts the rapid rise of Carlton Leach, from feared football hooligan to him becoming a member of one of the country's most notorious crime syndicates. Following his life over the course of three decades, the film follows Leach's career from soccer thug, through a stint as a doorman and his involvement in the early rave scene, right through to his nadir as an integral part of a gang that ruled London and Essex during the late 80s and early 90s and would culminate in the infamous shotgun deaths of three of the firm's members in Rettendon.

Customer Reviews

Scorpio
After much anticipation and great expectations of a new dimension in portraying football hooliganism, I have to confess I was disappointed.

What makes the film is that it is at least based largely on facts. What weakens the film is the diversion from football to the underground world of drugs and gangland warfare.

The storyline meanders around the central character as it attempts to cover an unbelievable range of social and pyscyhological issues. Indeed the best scene is about commitment and respect to one partner, and the importance of marriage second time around. On listining to the interview with the main character, his message on the film reinforces the impoortance of loyalty, trust and the value of life long frienship.

The idea of leaving alternative endings is clever, though it leaves the viewer with the feeling of simply having watched yet another British movie, and not the real protrayal of a man's life.

An entertaining story with some solid acting, that mitigates some very unrealistic characters. Sadly it did not meet my expectations on the latest and greatest in hooligan life.

Rise of the foot soldier - hard one to comment on
What can be said about this film. It has it all, sex, violence and loads of drugs yet, it has a lost plot. The film started brightly enough, hooliganism is rife and shows graphic fighting, the scene with the Turks is excellent but then.....that is it. the film loses the plot, plenty of violence nut nothing else. This film had the potential to be the top British gangster film but was ruined by shoddy acting and a bad plot. Despite being a film of true events. maybe more of an insight into the gang activities would have given this film proper recognition.

A Cracker.
If you are thinking about buying the film only version, think again. Buy this 2 DVD set because it's money well spent. Not only is the main film a masterpiece but the bonus disc is worth it for the behind the scenes action. My favourite character in this movie is Tony Tucker played by Terry Stone. With his blonde wig and menacing jawline this thug will eat you up and make you laugh. Just watch his audition sequence with the turk on the bonus disc!!! It's unusual for me to praise anything new from the film industry. I'm still stuck in the days of Villain, Robbery and The Sweeney. But this film with its menacing looking cast and two brilliant directors have held my attention throughout the whole movie and indeed the bonus disc. Take it from me folks, if this film entertains me its worth buying. Gilbey brothers you are what the film industry has been waiting for. I'm going to source out your other films now.