The criminal underworld of Britain has always held a fascination with filmmakers, offering a very specific kind of gritty realism that is often absent in its more polished counterparts from across the pond.

To celebrate the release of not one, but two incredible British gangster films, (Fall of the Krays and Rise of the Footsoldier 2), courtesy of Signature Entertainment, we’re taking a look back at some of the greatest British gangster films to hit the big screen.

Both of these upcoming titles are based on real life accounts of the British criminal underworld, adding a heady dose of realism to the stories, and combining it with what’s best about the genre- larger-than-life characters and a no-holds-barred approach to violence.

The list could be twice as long, but we’ve picked out a few of our favourites- enjoy!

Fall of the Krays (2016)

Following on from the huge success of The Rise Of The Krays, this sequel picks up the story of the infamous Firm as the cracks start to show in the brothers’ business plans and their sanity. Directed by Zackary Adler, and once again starring Simon Cotton as Ronnie and Kevin Leslie as Reggie, we follow the brothers as they fight to hold on to both their empire and their infamy, despite the obsession of one police officer; plus, a burgeoning romance and a dangerous state of mind for Reggie and Ronnie respectively.

Rise of the Footsoldier 2 (2015)

One of the most feared men in home entertainment history makes his long awaited return to the streets of Essex in this bloody, brutal sequel  to the record-breaking Rise of the Footsoldier. Reintroducing loyal fans to the tortured Carlton Leech (Ricci Harnett), we pick up with our hero a shadow of his former self following the murder of three Essex gang members who were also his close friends. Self-medicating on drugs and booze to dull the pain – and amidst ongoing fears of further retribution – Carlton must nevertheless fight to regain his place in the criminal underworld until circumstances conspire to place him at the heart of what might just become his final job.

Bronson (2008)

Based on the true story and life of Charles Bronson, Britain’s most violent prisoner, Tom Hardy’s (Inception, The Dark Knight Rises) performance is incomparable.  Hardy plays Bronson with disturbing accuracy. With an intelligent, provocative and stylised approach, Bronson follows the metamorphosis of Mickey Peterson into Britain’s most dangerous prisoner, Charles Bronson. Other familiar faces include Amanda Burton (Silent Witness, Waterloo Road) and James Lance (Marie Antionette, Bel Ami).

Football Factory (2004)

Testosterone and football merge in this violent portrayal of middle-class England in Nick Love’s adrenaline charged and sexually charged adaptation of the John King novel. The film has excellent performances including Danny Dyer (Severance, The Business), Frank Harper (In the Name of the Father, This is England) and Tamer Hassan. (Kick Ass, Layer Cake). Shot in documentary style with the energy and vibrancy of handheld, The Football Factory is frighteningly real yet full of painful humour as the four characters’ extreme thoughts and actions unfold before us.

Snatch (2000)

Another masterpiece by Ritchie: two plots unwind, one dealing with the search for a missing diamond and the other with a small-time boxing promoter who gets himself under the control of a brutal gangster. With an extremely similar style to Lock Stock, and another blockbuster cast, Ritchie pulls off yet another brilliant gangster film. Brad Pitt (Ocean’s Eleven, Fight Club) stars as an extremely convincing ‘pikey’.

Sexy Beast (2000)

Don Logan, played by Ben Kinglsey, is a brutal gangster, who recruits ‘retired’ safecracker Gal, played by Ray Winstone (The Sweeney, The Departed) for one final job; however, it doesn’t end well for either of them. What ensues is a battle of wills between the two men, with Don intimidating, prodding, and manipulating his onetime friend to get what he wants, forever changing the lives of those around him in the process. It’s smart, it’s thrilling and both Kingsley and Winstone pull off astonishing performances.

Gangster No.1 (2000)

Based on a play of the same title by Louis Mellis and David Scinto, Gangster No.1 follows the rise and falls of a particularly prominent and ruthless English gangster. Paul Bettany (A Beautiful Mind, Iron Man) stars in the titular role- the jaw dropping and merciless enforcer whilst David Thewlis (Harry Potter, War Horse) plays his influential boss and gang leader, Freddie Mays.  Ruthless.

Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998)

Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, directed by Guy Ritchie, is gripping, witty and extremely Cockney. The film follows four friends who are involved in a botched card game in London.  The four collide with drug dealers, gangsters, loan sharks and debt collectors in order to gain cash, weed and two antique shotguns.  With a cast including great British actors such as Jason Statham (The Expendables, The Transporter), Jason Flemyng (Clash of the Titans, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button), Dexter Fletcher (Kick-Ass, The Elephant Man) and Nick Moran (Christie Malry’s Own Double-Entry, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallow P1 & 2), Lock Stock is comfortable one of the greatest British gangster films of all time.

Scum (1979)

Alan Clarke’s drama, and Ray Winstone’s break-out lead performance, is brutal and depressing both in content and outlook on the British borstal system of the 70s. ‘Scum’ refers to the label slapped upon young-offender and reform-school inmate, Carlin (Winstone). When he isn’t being beaten up by the other boys, Ray is being beaten down by The System. He rebels against this treatment and becomes more vicious than any of his oppressors. Scum raised a young Winstone’s profile and helped him gain his now more notable “tough guy” persona. Who could forget the iconic scene in which Carlin places two snooker balls inside a sock and beats Banks and his cronies to within an inch of their lives!

FALL OF THE KRAYS is in cinemas and on demand from January 1^st, 2016.

RISE OF THE FOOTSOLDIER  2 is in cinemas from December 11th, and on Steelbook, Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital Download from December 26^th (both courtesy of Signature Entertainment).

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