Get Carter Reviews

[Highly rated reviewer]

Pure Caine!!

Jack Carters brother is dead. Jack travels to Newcastle from London for his funeral, but somethings not quite right. Jack doesn't believe that his brothers death was an accident and begins trying to uncover the true circumstances surrounding it. Jack will stop at nothing and seeks a brutal revenge on those resposible. Perfect casting and top quality acting and plot. Many memorable scenes. Perfect film for any occassion. 'You couldn't win an egg and spoon race, Eric.'

A real modern classic

This film is a true modern classic and is well worth a veiwing.It's a film in a leauge of it's own with michael caine as i anti hero out for revenge.

The story with grip you as well as the bleak settings,that all mount to a none hollywood ending.

Ambivalence really...

Mmmm...saw it years ago, but 33 years later it seems antique and rather frozen in time. Filmically, a historical curiosity...very much of its era with edgy sparse camera work (you can practically taste Tyneside), an air of restrained violence which sits awkwardly with the spirit of the fun loving sixties that had just finished and a tremendous, simple, haunting score that stays with you.

Caine is excellent, a restrained volcano, but some of the others are pantomime villains, wooden as hell (check the actress who plays Caine's murdered brothers girlfriend). And the script - if you actually listen to it - is mostly terrible, with one dimensional characters mouthing cartoon dialogue.

In addition, its violence is vicious and blunt, for some this gives it it's power. For me, I just felt weary and remembered with a slight yawn the end of censorship in the sixties and how directors then and in the early seventies were endlessly, and sometimes meaninglessly, trying to 'push boundaries'('Straw Dogs' came to mind.) Maybe I'm just getting old.

Is it a classic? Well...I guess the appearance of a youthful Alf Roberts (Coronation St) as a Geordie businessman who Michael Caine throws off the roof of a multi storey car park might make it so! Ultimately for me, a couple of hours of intense, glowering 'mood'...a film to feel more than watch and dissect.

Best British Gangster movie.....ever!

This has to be THE best British Gangster movie ever made....

Sharp suits, gritty scenes and all set in the grim North East of the late 60's/early '70s.

Although the plot is a little sparse in comparison to today's films, Michael Caine is superb, as are many of the other well-known actors of the day.

One of my all-time favourite films. A 'must-see' movie for Caine or Gangster film buffs. Forget the modern day remake starring Sylvester Stallone - no comparison.

Violence, danger and great acting

I great film to enjoy with a group of mates a few beers. Sit back and relax and enjoy Mr Caine at his finest. A must see film for any proper film fan. Easily in anyone top ten films. If you are a Caine Fan you must see this film, if you are not a Caine fan then watch him in Jaws 4!!!

Bold, Brutal and British

In Mike Hodges’ 1971 crime thriller, gangland enforcer Carter (Michael Caine) returns home to Newcastle to avenge his brother’s death. Carter is a dangerous and relentless anti-hero who’s always a step ahead, but despite his immaculate London grooming, he’s not above sharing a pint of ale with his cloth-capped northern friends or jumping into bed with his B&B landlady.

Hodges’ film sets out to tell it like it is, and not romanticise its villains or sugarcoat the violence. Sex is portrayed with the same unflattering starkness, though one particular scene, where a vigorous sexual encounter is spliced with images of gearsticks, rev counters and exhaust pipes, may have modern audiences thinking of Austin Powers.

Carter’s obsessive quest for his brother’s killer begins well and the film’s energy is sustained throughout, but the plot bounces backwards and forwards between characters without any real sense of direction. Eventually, the disappointingly weak motive for the killing is stumbled upon and we can stop bothering to keep up with the convoluted plot and look forward to the revenge finale.

This is a film of its time. Bold, brutal and British, it was released in the same year as Clockwork Orange. However, unlike Clockwork, which has managed to retain its edge more than three decades later, Get Carter no longer strikes with the same ferocity – but it will remain a huge influence on every British gangster film that followed.

Violent realistic thriller

The cartoon violence of modern Hollywood blockbusters have nothing on this film of over 30 years ago. I found it quite frightening as you could believe that these gangsters exist in real life.

Caine is brilliant as a hard-nut hitman with revenge in mind. The realisitic settings add to the threatening tone of the movie.

Not for the faint-hearted, but a classic movie.

A classic? mmm not sure?

Wanted to see why this was a classic but really, I had no idea what was going on the movie. Okay I wasn't really concentrating and I was a little tipsy. I recommend having a drink with this film - you will then get to view it as an outrageously bad comedy. Skirts so short they would make a spice girl blush, screamingly funny love scenes and a comical message over a hotel bed (look out for it). All in all those things did not make me feel that I should push the rating to a three. One shouldn't have to suffer the fate of a hangover just to get through a film.

[Highly rated reviewer]

Has gotten a bit old I'm afraid

Michael Caine is fantastic in this film but the atmosphere and settings are a bit outdated and corny now. Still worth a watch.

Old style cop thriller

Michael Caine's best film, it's a proper gangster film with full British roots. A bit slow in places, but compelling all through. Totally cool.