| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Richard Burton | ... |
Vic Dakin
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| Ian McShane | ... | ||
| Nigel Davenport | ... |
Bob Matthews
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| Donald Sinden | ... |
Gerald Draycott
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| Fiona Lewis | ... |
Venetia
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| T.P. McKenna | ... |
Frank Fletcher
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| Joss Ackland | ... |
Edgar Lowis
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| Cathleen Nesbitt | ... |
Mrs. Dakin
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Elizabeth Knight | ... |
Patti
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| Colin Welland | ... |
Tom Binney
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Tony Selby | ... |
Duncan
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| John Hallam | ... |
Terry
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Del Henney | ... |
Webb
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Ben Howard | ... |
Henry
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| James Cossins | ... |
Brown
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Murderous, sadistic London gang leader Vic Dakin, a mother-obsessed homosexual modeled on real-life gangster Ronnie Kray, is worried about potential stool pigeons that may bring down his criminal empire. The brutal Vic cuts the throat of one bloke who has been a little too loose-lipped, afraid that his gossiping may turn into a grand operatic performance for the coppers. Vic, who enjoys playing at rough trade with his sidekick Wolfe, plans a payroll robbery and directs the blackmailing of Members of Parliament with a taste for unorthodox sex. Scotland Yard Police Inspector Matthews, playing Javert to Vic's Jean Valjean, is moving in on him and the gang. Gang-member Edgar is hospitalized for an ulcer, and Inspector Matthews might be able to make him sing. Will Edgar spill the beans to the coppers before Vic can silence him? Written by Jon C. Hopwood
I saw this movie about 15 years ago, so it is somewhat hazy now. But I remember it had a cast of solid British character actors. It also possessed an aura of menace and creulty that went from Vic Dakin down through the rest of the cast. The dialogue was tough and believable, as was the violence. The Dakin character was obviously based on Ronnie Kray, but so what, the Krays were topical at the time.
I enjoyed this film. It certainly stands up against the drek of today. I am sick and tired of violence and gangster's being treated with clever and stylistic humour.