Classic British Crime Films

The Italian Job (1969) – Directed by Peter Collinson

This classic caper comedy follows British criminal Charlie Croker (Michael Caine) who, having just left prison, decides to rob some gold in Italy, right under the nose of the police and the Mafia. Croker’s plan is to create a traffic jam to distract the authorities, so they can escape with the gold unnoticed. The film features the iconic Mini coopers as their getaway cars. Charlie Crocker’s line “You’re only supposed to blow the bloody doors off!” is widely considered one of the most memorable lines in any film.

The Long Good Friday (1980) – Directed by John Mackenzie

Set in the late 1970s, English gangster Harold Shand (Bob Hoskins), is attempting to get into property and is about to close a very lucrative deal when a series of bombings target him and his territory. Convinced there is a traitor around him, Harold sets out to expose and destroy them in usual gangster manner. For his role, Bob Hoskins received a letter from Ronald Kray, one of the notorious Kray twin gangers, praising his performance.