Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5775 in DVD
• Released on: 2008-03-17
• Rating: Suitable for 18 years and over
• Format: PAL
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 99 minutes

Synopsis
When a young gangster (Paul Bettany) starts working for gang leader Freddie Mays (David Thewlis), known as the Butcher of Mayfair, he dreams of being everything that Freddie is: smooth, sophisticated, impeccably dressed, always with the right women, and driving the fanciest cars. Freddie takes the young gangster (unnamed in the film but listed as Gangster 55 in the credits) under his wing as a potential war with a rival gang starts to heat up. After Freddie falls for Karen (Saffron Burrows), whom 55 had his eye on, the young gangster lies in wait for an opportunity to change things, and when that moment comes, he leaves a bloodbath of betrayal in his wake.
Paul McGuigan's GANGSTER NO. 1 is framed by scenes set in the present, where the aging 55, played with delicious villainy by Malcolm McDowell, narrates the tale of his younger self's rise to power in Soho in the late 1960s. Bettany is a revelation as 55, who seems to enjoy a bit of the old ultraviolence now and again; when he tells a potential victim (or even a friend) to look into his eyes, it is hard for the audience as well not to be mesmerised--and scared out of their wits. McGuigan's fast-paced direction includes creative split screens, extreme close-ups, fireballs coming right at the viewer, and a sweeping handheld camera all set to a swinging 1960s score.

Customer Reviews

A MASTERPIECE OF BRITISH MOVIE MAKING
GANGSTER NO.1 really is one of the most UNDERrated films of all times. A brutal and hilariously funny British gangster film (forget "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels", this is so much better).
Stunningly brilliant performances by Paul Bettany, Malcolm McDowell, David Thewlis, Saffron Burrows and last but not least Kenneth Cranham - it's hard to tell who's the better actor here, they all are great.
Paul Bettany and Malcolm McDowell share the role of Gangster 55, a psychopath who wants to be the No. 1 at all costs. BOTH actors make this film work, and this is why the film works - for me at least. It also is a slight flaw. While 30 years should have passed, you clearly see it comparing Bettany with McDowell, you hardly see it on Thewlis' makeup and you don't see it on Burrows. I can live with that minor flaw - the film compensates for that fully - some can't. I enjoyed EVERY scene in this film - and I can't say that about most Hollywood pictures nowadays. Great filmmaking! Seems the British are making a lot better films than Hollywood right now.

Alternatives:

Scarface Still the king of gangster movies, great performance by Al Pacino.

The Krays [1990] A shocking but good gangster film

The Bank Job [2008] Funny, but based on a true story

The Limey [1999] Another underrated masterpiece

Brilliant underrated film.
I stumbled accross this film a few years back and watched it without checking out any reviews on it. Have to say i was supprised at how good it was. A really hard hitting gritty gangster film and some of the scenes really hit you hard. The actor playing the lead role does a brilliant job, plays the role perfectly. You certainly get the impression you wouldnt want to spill the characters pint.

Recommended.

DECENT FILM
WOULD AGREE WITH PREVIOUS REVIEW IN MOST THINGS THE CAST WERE GOOD BUT I THOUGHT THEWLIS WAS MISCAST AS A HARD MAN, I THOUGHT HE LOOKED AND CAME ACROSS AS RATHER GORMLESS, IN HIS EARLY CAREER HE PLAYED DOZY CHARACTERS IN A FEW THINGS AND DIDNT FIND HIM TO BE A CONVINCING HARD MAN