Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2453 in DVD
• Released on: 2001-07-02
• Rating: Suitable for 18 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: PAL, Widescreen
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 98 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Essex Boys constructs a fictional story around the infamous Range Rover murders in Rettenden, Essex, in which three local drug dealers were found blasted to death by shotguns. Driving for ex-con Jason Locke (Sean Bean) was just another job for Billy Reynolds (Charlie Creed-Miles). But fresh out of a five-year stretch, Locke is looking to make up for lost time and begins a turf war. He stalks his manor with a menacing leer and a bottle of acid to throw in the face of anyone who gets in his way, and is given to Locke and his drug-dealing gang rely on brute strength to enforce their will, but when they decide to expand their game they underestimate the wiles of Billy's boss, countrified crime gent John Dyke. Southend's sunset strip of neon-fronted clubs and arcades, but fails to lift the plot of his film out of the Brit-gangster ghetto. That said, Winsor laudably plays it straight, avoiding the style over substance affectations of the genre, while coaxing believable performances out of his cast. --Chris Campion

On the DVD: the anamorphic 1.85:1 widescreen transfer is good with little obvious grain and an above average level of detail. But it is the soundtrack that's really the star of this DVD. The intensity of the film and the relentless action from the outset (where you are thrust into the middle of a crowded nightclub) is really upped by the brilliant Dolby Digital 5.1 audio mix, resulting in the viewer feeling every gunshot. It's a good job that the soundtrack is so spectacular, since there are no special features except the usual suspects, the original theatrical trailer and scene access. --Kristen BowditchEssex Boys constructs a fictional story around the infamous Range Rover murders in Rettenden, Essex, in which three local drug dealers were found blasted to death by shotguns. Driving for ex-con Jason Locke (Sean Bean) was just another job for Billy Reynolds (Charlie Creed-Miles). But fresh out of a five-year stretch, Locke is looking to make up for lost time and begins a turf war. He stalks his manor with a menacing leer and a bottle of acid to throw in the face of anyone who gets in his way, and is given to humiliating publicly his long-suffering wife Lisa (Alex Kingston). Locke and his drug-dealing gang rely on brute strength to enforce their will, but when they decide to expand their game they underestimate the wiles of Billy's boss, countrified crime gent John Dyke. Director Terry Winsor makes good use of locations, especially Southend's sunset strip of neon-fronted clubs and arcades, but fails to lift the plot of his film out of the Brit-gangster ghetto. That said, Winsor laudably plays it straight, avoiding the style over substance affectations of the genre, while coaxing believable performances out of his cast. --Chris Campion

Special Features
1.85 Wide Screen
DVD 5
English
English
Region 2
Dolby Digital 5.1 English
Dolby Digital 5.1
Original Theatrical Trailer

Synopsis
Locke (Sean Bean) is a crime boss just released from prison and planning to regain his former position on top of Essex's criminal underworld. He meets up with Billy, a cabbie who becomes intrigued by the power and thrills of a life of crime. Together they plan a deal with the local drug boss with explosive consequences. Also starring Alex Kingston (of TV's E.R.) as Locke's wife.

Customer Reviews

A Gripping Film
I really liked this film as the characters are all interesting and although the settings and catchphrases may be slightly cliched of the Gangster Genre the characters are unpredictable and well acted. This film really captures all the different aspects of life as a criminal, the money, the nervousness, paranoia, excitement and the inevitable downfall resulting in lives being ruined.

Violent, gritty - the realities of being an Essex gangster
A British film, this is not in the genre of Lock Stock or Snatch - this is a true gangster film! Without humour, it is extremely violent and the characters are the types you would definitely not want to meet down a dark alley.

However, the film is still well worth a watch and has some very strong characters in it; Alex Kingston is superb. The plot is based on a true story and certainly does not glamourise the drug culture, but shows it for what it is.

The underlying message seem to be that this type of lifestyle is exciting and financially rewarding, but expect to reap the consequences - a prison sentance or a bullet!

Great ending which will keep you in suspense.

Sharpe's Dodgy Accent
Worth the money for the sight and sound of Sean "Mr Sheffield Utd" Beangiving his unique interpretation of the Essex accent. That said it reallyisn't a bad film. Never boring, well written and, for those of us residenthere in the South-East, full of familiar landmarks. Larry Lamb puts inanother cracking performance, whilst Bean (accent included) is always goodvalue. It's something about that sneer.The Malden by-pass will never bethe same again.