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Gangster No. 1 Reviews

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60
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When a young gangster (Paul Bettany) starts working for gang leader Freddie Mays (David Thewlis), known as the Butcher of Mayfair, he dreams of being everything that Freddie is: smooth, sophisticated, impeccably dressed, always with the right women, and driving the fanciest cars. Freddie takes the young gangster (unnamed in the .. Read more

Starring	Malcolm McDowell, David Thewlis, Paul Bettany, Kenneth Cranham
Director	Paul McGuigan
Genres	Audio Descriptive, Thriller

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Critic's review of Gangster No. 1
View all critics' reviews (2)
- Effective thriller that catches the sleazy glamour of the period, with its conjunction of showbusiness and crime, but then declines into less convincing melodrama.
- 30631
- - Halliwell's Film Guide
  - 02 Mar 2006 at 15:41
Write your own review »
Most helpful member's review of Gangster No. 1
View all members' reviews (47)
- - 19
  - 10
  Number One? More like a pile of number twos
  
  You'd think with a cast of top-rate Brit thespians and the reliable premise of 1960s gangster action you'd be in for a treat with this, but you'd be... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 302618
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - CharliePotatoes
  - Merseyside
  - 16 Apr 2004 at 15:48
Most recent members' reviews of Gangster No. 1
View all members' reviews (47)
- - 0
  - 0
  One to miss
  
  Dreadful, lasted 15 minutes before turning it off, watch The Krays instead, there are much better gangster movies out there
  
  Report this review
- 1093970
- - a customer
  - 18 Feb 2012 at 16:48
- - 0
  - 0
  Great Watch
  
  Broody, atmospheric and thrilling. Great story, well directed and excellent acting. All in all, one not to miss
  
  Report this review
- 1074205
- - Steve Hatton
  - Cornwall, England
  - 17 Dec 2011 at 20:11
- - 0
  - 0
  Brilliant, gripping, stylish with a fine cast
  
  Riveting and gritty gangster yarn with an unusual take on the genre. In one of his earliest roles, Paul Bettenay gives the performance of his career as a young ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1051561
- - CounterfeitWoman
  - 2 reviews
  - Tring
  - 15 Oct 2011 at 08:19
- - 0
  - 0
  violent scenes
  
  Fantastic movie really enjoyed watching it,they should make more films like this.the scenes of violence are so realastic they make you cringe I loved this film... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1031504
- - crazyladylloyd
  - 3 reviews
  - 20 Aug 2011 at 12:07
- - 1
  - 0
  Gangster No. 1
  
  Excellently filmed homage to Get Carter with a great style and look to every shot. A cinematic experience for sure but felt the plot let down the performances ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 991483
- - buffyrules
  - 164 reviews
  - southend on sea
  - 11 May 2011 at 11:09
- - 0
  - 0
  It's the big bad wolf
  
  Saville Row sharp? Hmmm. Diamond hard? Maybe. Rough? Yes. Mean? Yes.
  
  This rough and tough gangster flick is well narrated by the gravel-toned ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 974889
- - studleydave
  - 165 reviews
  - Norwich
  - 21 Mar 2011 at 11:55
- - 0
  - 0
  TOO MUCH VERY BAD LANGUAGE
  
  This film had the makings of being a classic gangster film. Initially the story was good, despit the bad language.To repeatedly use the C word is unnecessary ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 929251
- - a customer
  - KIDDERMINSTER
  - 06 Oct 2010 at 07:33
- - 0
  - 0
  Mmmmmm Gangster!!!! No!
  
  The year is 1999, Malcolm is savouring his time as Gangster no. 1, supporting his rise to his position we are permitted to flashbacks to 1968 when he was just a... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 926499
- - zedphelan
  - 84 reviews
  - London
  - 25 Sep 2010 at 14:14
- - 0
  - 0
  lost in love
  
  Great characters and locations. Gangster No 1 reflects on his past and has no regrets in terms of the law. Just like you, just like me. Maybe. But Chas he ain&#... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 909284
- - juradino
  - 627 reviews
  - London
  - 28 Jul 2010 at 19:24
- - 0
  - 0
  Shut it, you C***!!!
  
  Okay so this film is worth seeing for Paul Bettany alone, he is a heady mix of brooding stares and sinister intent which borders on the terrifying!! The only ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 902339
- - Karen931
  - 212 reviews
  - Edinburgh
  - 30 Jun 2010 at 19:34
View all members' reviews (47)

- - 19
  - 10
  Number One? More like a pile of number twos
  
  You'd think with a cast of top-rate Brit thespians and the reliable premise of 1960s gangster action you'd be in for a treat with this, but you'd be... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 302618
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - CharliePotatoes
  - Merseyside
  - 16 Apr 2004 at 15:48
- - 7
  - 2
  Worth seeing for Bettany
  
  'Gangster No 1' was one of the dozen's of British gangster movies that came out following 'Lock, Stock ...'. Some were decent, and others ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 54124
- - Noel Clay
  - Colchester, England
  - 18 Nov 2004 at 21:44
- - 6
  - 1
  Gangster no1
  
  Quite simply one of the best Brit Gangster Flicks ever after The Long Good Friday - dont take my word for it, simply watch and enjoy.
  
  Report this review
- 61630
- - a customer
  - Kent
  - 02 Jan 2005 at 11:20
- - 4
  - 0
  Best British gangster film out there
  
  I thought this film was exceptionally good. It was very similar to The Krays (but much better) and if you liked that you’ll probably like this.
  
  ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 322784
- - carlyoungcat
  - Derby
  - 12 Feb 2005 at 10:28
- - 4
  - 1
  Style over content
  
  I have just switched off this film 1hour & 10mins in because I could take no more. It is all style & no content.
  
  The costume design is ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 302786
- - stinko
  - London
  - 22 Apr 2004 at 00:05
- - 2
  - 0
  Shocking British Thriller!
  
  For me, great performances, a clever script and some expert direction make a great film, and Gangster No. 1 has all three of these. Paul Bettany (who will be a ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 182793
- - Scott Tierney
  - Bedfordshire
  - 08 Dec 2005 at 01:13
- - 2
  - 0
  Fantastic. Amazingly acted, written and shot.
  
  But not over-hyped by the media which makes it better. If you like any classic british cinema you'll love this.
  
  Report this review
- 218622
- - a customer
  - Londoon, England
  - 14 Mar 2006 at 13:10
- - 2
  - 0
  If you like viloence
  
  IMO one of the best 'gangsta' films around!
  
  Report this review
- 245869
- - a customer
  - notts
  - 18 May 2006 at 18:44
- - 2
  - 0
  Violent
  
  I found this film good because I love British films, I couldn't help think of Eastenders! There is a strong twang of the cockney accent, there is a lot of ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 328129
- - LadySleek
  - Birmingham
  - 23 Mar 2005 at 00:00
- - 2
  - 0
  Shockingly violent in parts
  
  Gangster No1 is a great film with superb acting and a real sense of the sixtys, so much so the look of the film stock used makes it look like it was filmed in ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 385672
- - Tom Kelly
  - Brighton, England
  - 16 Nov 2006 at 17:29

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Buy from Amazon.co.uk

- - Buy
- Gangster No. 1 - Blu-ray
  
  When a young gangster (Paul Bettany) starts working for gang leader Freddie Mays (David Thewlis), known as the Butcher of Mayfair, he dreams of being everything that Freddie is: smooth, sophisticated, impeccably dressed, always with the right women, and driving the fanciest cars. Freddie takes the ...

- - Buy
- Gangster No. 1
  
  When a young gangster (Paul Bettany) starts working for gang leader Freddie Mays (David Thewlis), known as the Butcher of Mayfair, he dreams of being everything that Freddie is: smooth, sophisticated, impeccably dressed, always with the right women, and driving the fanciest cars. Freddie takes the ...