The Krays - Bonded by Blood [VHS]
by Peter Medak
![The Krays - Bonded by Blood [VHS]](/images/The-Krays-Bonded-by-Blood-VHS-6302017769-L.jpg)
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Product details
Actor: Billie Whitelaw, Gary Kemp, Martin Kemp, Susan Fleetwood, Tom BellDirector: Peter Medak
Cinematographer: Alex Thomson
Editor: Martin Walsh
Producer: Jim Beach
Producer: Michele Kimche
Writer: Philip Ridley
Edition: VHS Tape
Audio: English (Original Language), Analog
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC
Running Time: 119 minutes
Release Date: 1994-06-24
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Publisher: Miramax Films
Studio: Miramax Films
VHS Movie Reviews of The Krays - Bonded by Blood [VHS]
Movie Review: Makes you wonder if justice was really served
Summary: 5 Stars
The real crime is that this film is not available on DVD in the US. Peter Medak's brutally violent gangster film based on the lives of Ronald and Reggie Kray who were played brilliantly by the Kemp brothers who fronted the 80s pop band, Spandau Ballet. Guy Ritchie's films don't cut it when it comes to British gangster films trust me. This is the real deal.
This is an intelligent biopic of Britain's most infamous gangsters, the twins who made life safe for East Enders when they weren't running protection rackets or inflicting gangland punishments on rival mobsters. To be fair, writer Philip Ridley and director Peter Medak largely avoid glamorizing the violent world of Reggie and Ronnie, and are more interested in unraveling the complex personalities of the two brothers. They are helped by surprisingly convincing lead performances from Martin and Gary Kemp, then better known from their kilt-wearing days with rock group Spandau Ballet, although Billie Whitelaw effortlessly rises above everybody else in the star-studded cast as the boys' best friend, their mom.
This is a hell of a feature film/documentary. tru to life account of what happened during the reign of the Kray twins and gang war with the Richardson's, including jack the hat etc.
Movie Review: Excellent
Summary: 5 Stars
A vastly intelligent and utterly compelling biopic of Britain's most famous gangsters. When they weren't running shady protection rackets or inflicting horrific, gangland punishment on rival mobsters, the twin brothers contrarily made life generally safe for East Enders.
Writer Phillips Ridley and director Peter Medak shrewdly focus on the brothers complex personalities, showing their devotion as brothers to one another, their fierce loyalty to their mother and the rest of their family and their manically controlling and possessive hold over their lovers.
The film begins during World War 2 showing how the young Krays adapted to life in the East End during the war and some of the unscrupulous characters they met along the way as children which inevitably had some sort of psychological influence on them when they grew up.
The film chronicles their rise as rulers of the underworld and complimenting the rich, fine dialogue are the films two leading actors - a fantastic turn from ex- Spandau ballet members and real-life brothers, Martin and Gary kemp. Both put in concentrated, naturalistic and convincing performances.
Billie Whitelaw shines as their mother (who went on to win an oscar for her performance as Best Supporting Actress). Never once does she shrink to stereotype which is always so easy the case in roles such as these.
The film evokes a tense atmosphere throughout, building on suspense as the Krays steadily build their empire with a string of nightclubs and their protection rackets.
Some of the violent occurences in the film are stomach churning such as where one of the Krays sticks a sword directly through a rival mobsters palm whilst the bloody climax is played out to perfection.
Supporting performances from the likes of Tom Bell as Jack "the hat" Mcvitie, Susan Fleetwood as Charlotte Cornwell May and Kate Hardie as Frances are all equally superb and effective, each biting into their roles with seemingly a vengenace and making the most of every scene they're in.
A must see film that is gripping from beginning through to the bitter end!
Movie Review: If only on dvd
Summary: 5 Stars
Why isnt this movie on dvd in the USA? Its one of the best movies about gangsters Ive ever seen.Movie Review: Gary Kemp Rules!
Summary: 5 Stars
Besides all the glorious years of Spandau Ballet Gary Kemp showed us that yes, he has more in him than writing awesome songs and playing a guitar! HE CAN ACT! "The Krays"...starring little brother Martin Kemp...is not to be missed if you're a fan of mob movies! Gary is hypnotising in this movie! If you're simply a fan of Spandau Ballet you'll enjoy seeing Gary and Martin, if you like a great mob movie you'll love "The Krays"! Gary Kemp is wonderful!Movie Review: If only they 'd release the Krays on dvd in the USA....
Summary: 5 Stars
I had the opportunity to see this movies a number of years a go on cable and it left a very strong impression to the point that I'm at a loss for words.I am a big fan of ganster movies and to me, this is a "must have"!!
I just wish that the dvd format was available here in theUS. It just breaks my heart but I'll just have to be content with the vhs until......
Summary of The Krays - Bonded by Blood [VHS]
Director Peter Medak's gritty voyage into the world of organized crime in 1960s London is a disturbing character study of the two most frightening and influential gangsters to ever come out of England, Ronnie and Reggie Kray. The ingenious casting of former pop icons Gary and Martin Kemp (of Spandau Ballet) as the powerful Kray brothers works well, establishing an eerie, unspoken connection between the two that is unsettling and extremely daunting.One scene in particular epitomizes that bond: Ronnie and Reggie come face to face in a boxing ring, each daring the other through snarls and psychopathic grins to knock the other down. Ringside spectators can't really understand the brothers' confrontation, but in the Krays' eyes we can see their power and unspoken resolve, as well as their sense of themselves as existing in an upper echelon of strength and sheer will that clearly separates them from the onlookers.
It's this intense self-confidence that enables the Krays to rise from working-class obscurity to the highest ranks of organized crime. The Kemp boys also do a splendid job in portraying the inherent instability associated with the Krays. This true story follows the brothers from childhood through their rise and then fall from grace, as their personal lives and violent natures culminate in two murder charges, resulting in 30 years of imprisonment. Beyond its folkloric power, The Krays also captures a post-World War II London still recovering from the war's devastation, dismissing the mythos of the Swinging '60s people so fervently relate to this period. --Jeremy Storey
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