Honestly, this entire list of top 5 British gangster films could just comprise of films directed by Guy Ritchie, who over the years has cemented his little niche in Hollywood as being the go-to guy for a gangster film set in and around London. However, that’d make a pretty boring and predictable list, so not all of the five entries are films of his. Here are the top 5 British gangster films, in no particular order…
5. Blue Story (2019)
Starting straight off with a film that’s less about out-and-out gangsters, and more so about the gangs in London, and arguably the only entry on the list with a message behind it. The film showcases the troubles and difficulties the youths of today face, from the few opportunities they have, the peer pressure to get involved, and how violence over the smallest slight can snowball with disastrous consequences.
4. Legend (2015)
The popular film starring Tom Hardy as both of the despicable and criminal twins The Krays, the film walks a fine line between glorifying their criminal habits and showing them in a favorable light. The movie makes us aware that for every bit of good they might have done for their local community, they were still depraved, brutal criminals.
3. The Gentleman (2019)
The Gentleman is the first entry from Guy Ritchie in the list, which is one of his most recent movies. Starring Matthew McConaughey as a well-to-do, American drug dealer who’s attempting to sell his business and live his life, in true Ritchie fashion multiple things go wrong and plenty of people die – some in unfortunate, but almost funny circumstances.
2. In Bruges (2008)
The second entry on this list of top 5 British gangster films that isn’t necessarily revolving around British gangsters is In Bruges. The movie follows two assassins played by Brendan Gleeson and Colin Farrell, as they await further orders from gangster Ralph Fiennes after a hit-gone-wrong. Definitely a dark and bloody black comedy, endlessly quotable, and will have you laughing one moment, and recoiling the next.
1. Snatch (2000)
Arguably the most famous of Guy Ritchie’s films, and in my opinion his best. Starring a bare-knuckle fighting champion in Brad Pitt, Snatch follows several different storylines, before pulling them all together in one chaotic fashion at the end. A film that’ll arguably be talked about, quoted, and remembered for years, this is the quintessential British gangster film, and I won’t hear anyone say any different.
I could have picked numerous other films in this list of top 5 British gangster films, but these are what I went for. What have I missed? What would you have added?
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