Summary
The Krays is a 1990 British biographical crime drama film directed by Peter Medak. The film is based on the lives and crimes of the British gangster twins Ronald and Reginald Kray, often referred to as The Krays.[1] The film stars Billie Whitelaw, Tom Bell, and real life brothers (although not twin brothers) Gary and Martin Kemp, both of whom were members of the band Spandau Ballet.[1]
| The Krays | |
|---|---|
 Original UK theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Peter Medak |
| Written by | Philip Ridley |
| Produced by | Dominic Anciano Ray Burdis |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Alex Thomson |
| Edited by | Martin Walsh |
| Music by | Michael Kamen |
Production companies | Fugitive Features Parkfield Entertainment |
| Distributed by | Rank Film Distributors |
Release date |
|
Running time | 119 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $9 million |
Plot edit
The film charts the lives of the Kray twins from childhood to adult life. The plot focuses on the relationship between the twins and their doting mother (Whitelaw). Ronald (Gary Kemp) is the dominant one, influencing his brother Reginald (Martin Kemp) to perform several acts of violence as they rise to power as the leaders of a powerful organised gang in 1960s London. The movie focuses more on the personal life of the brothers, including Reg's marriage and then alienation from his wife, culminating in her suicide. The movie omits the police investigation going against the Krays and ends with a jump-cut to them attending their mother's funeral in 1982, already serving time in prison by then.
Cast edit
- Billie Whitelaw as Violet Kray
- Tom Bell as Jack McVitie
- Gary Kemp as Ronnie Kray
- Martin Kemp as Reggie Kray
- Susan Fleetwood as Rose
- Charlotte Cornwell as May
- Kate Hardie as Frances
- Avis Bunnage as Helen
- Alfred Lynch as Charlie Kray Sr.
- Gary Love as Steve
- Steven Berkoff as George Cornell
- Jimmy Jewel as Cannonball Lee
- Barbara Ferris as Mrs. Lawson
- Victor Spinetti as Mr. Lawson
- John McEnery as Eddie Pellam
- Patti Love as Iris
- Norman Rossington as Shopkeeper
- Michael Balfour as Referee
- Jimmy Flint as Perry
- Ian Burfield as Whip
- Murray Melvin as Newsagent
- Sadie Frost as Sharon Pellam
- Stephen Lewis as Policeman
- Angus MacInnes as Palendri
- Jamie Bennett as Reggie Kray aged 12
- Jason Bennett as Ronnie Kray aged 12
- Dave Courtney as Bill
Reception edit
The Krays holds a rating of 82% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 17 reviews.
Box office edit
The film opened at the top of the UK box office with a gross of £1,036,117 for the week.[2] It remained at number one for a second week[3] and went on to gross £3,707,649 ($7 million) at the UK box office.[4] In the United States and Canada, it grossed $2,060,847.[5]
Awards edit
- Nominee Best Supporting Actress – BAFTA (Billie Whitelaw)
- Winner Best Film – Evening Standard British Film Awards (Peter Medak)
- Winner Most Promising Newcomer – Evening Standard British Film Awards (Philip Ridley)
- Winner Best Actress – International Fantasy Film Awards (Fantasporto) (Billie Whitelaw)
- Nominee Best Film – International Fantasy Film Awards (Fantasporto) (Peter Medak)
- Winner George Delerue Prize for Music – Film Fest Gent (Michael Kamen)
See also edit
References edit
- ^ a b Maslin, Janet (9 November 1990). "The Krays (1990) Review/Film; Twin Thugs With a Mother Complex". The New York Times.
- ^ "U.K. Top 10 Films". Variety. 9 May 1990. p. 40.
- ^ Pitman, Jack (16 May 1990). "Good weather bad for biz; Scandi, Paris fall sharply". Variety. p. 34.
- ^ "Back to the Future: The Fall and Rise of the British Film Industry in the 1980s – An Information Briefing" (PDF). British Film Institute. 2005. p. 25.
- ^ The Krays at Box Office Mojo
External links edit
- The Krays at IMDb
- The Krays at Rotten Tomatoes
- The Krays at Box Office Mojo
