Legend - starring Tom Hardy as both Kray Twins

Strumms · 21-09-2015 10:34PM

Saw this today. It's a far from perfect movie and if you are expecting a gritty insight into the world of The Krays and the darker side of London of that era you will be disappointed, it just doesn't go there, despite some violence it's more of a drama comedy at times and not really all that accurate. No reference to Charlie Kray at all for instance.

The focus is on the relationship between Ron, Reg and Frances. In reality Frances died very young and didn't play all that much of a significance as regards the overall Kray story and I think the movie suffered a bit with her as the narrator and in such a central role. Hardy is the Movie here and any award he gets he will be entitled too and some. His portrayal of Ron in particular was something to behold. Definitely worth a watch.

fin12 · 22-09-2015 12:26AM

Strumms wrote: »

Saw this today. It's a far from perfect movie and if you are expecting a gritty insight into the world of The Krays and the darker side of London of that era you will be disappointed, it just doesn't go there, despite some violence it's more of a drama comedy at times and not really all that accurate. No reference to Charlie Kray at all for instance.

The focus is on the relationship between Ron, Reg and Frances. In reality Frances died very young and didn't play all that much of a significance as regards the overall Kray story and I think the movie suffered a bit with her as the narrator and in such a central role. Hardy is the Movie here and any award he gets he will be entitled too and some. His portrayal of Ron in particular was something to behold. Definitely worth a watch.

Really good review. I didn't learn a thing about the krays from the film.

GuessWhoEh · 23-09-2015 11:22PM

Just seen Legend, Tom Hardy playing both Ronnie and Reggie. Although I can't stand Tom Hardy, he played a decent part of the twins. I was hooked on some parts of the film. I want to read up more about them. They seem so intriguing. Vicious, but intriguing

Frank Bullitt · 23-09-2015 11:54PM

Looking forward to seeing this.

The Krays were headbangers, so you won't be short of some intrigue when you read about them.

GuessWhoEh · 23-09-2015 11:57PM

Gintonious wrote: »

Looking forward to seeing this.

The Krays were headbangers, so you won't be short of some intrigue when you read about them.

I barely even wanted to see it. The adverts didn't have me hooked whatsoever. I fancied going cinema, and nothing else sounded or looked interesting so Legend it was. I don't want to say it was crap, but I didn't exactly love it either. I wouldn't be rushing for the DVD anyhoo

fin12 · 24-09-2015 04:11PM

GuessWhoEh wrote: »

I barely even wanted to see it. The adverts didn't have me hooked whatsoever. I fancied going cinema, and nothing else sounded or looked interesting so Legend it was. I don't want to say it was crap, but I didn't exactly love it either. I wouldn't be rushing for the DVD anyhoo

You should watch the kemp brothers version if you haven't because that film gives a lot more about the background of the krays, you learn a lot more about the krays in that film then this one, I think anyway, preferred it as well.

DEFTLEFTHAND · 24-09-2015 04:29PM

I thought the mother would have had a more prominent role, also no Charlie Kray or Freddie Foreman their chief enforcer. They only featured the two murders the twins were convicted on, the firms body count was higher than this.

Also Francis's story is not accurate, from reading Kray biographies I don't think Reggie gave that much of a sh1t about her at all.

I still however enjoyed this, like everybody else is saying Hardy was excellent, especially as Ron.

DeadHand · 25-09-2015 12:13AM

Too much focus on Frances and what could have been a great movie was a good movie because of it. Dull character. Her pretentious narration grated.

Should have concentrated predominately on the Kray twins and their gangsterism leaving the love interest as a footnote.

Can't help but feel the present prevailing politic dogma means female characters are sometimes crow-barred into greater prominence in movie plots even when the plot suffers for it. As mentioned, Frances' actual importance in the story of the Krays was greatly exaggerated.

What could have been an excellent gangster movie thanks to the dynamism of Hardy, strong direction and a fine supporting cast was instead a decent drama.

Missed opportunity.

Marty McFly · 26-09-2015 11:12PM

Just seen this today and like most I feel without Tom Hardy's presence as Reggie and Ron Kray to keep me watching I would have been bored senseless.

They didn't really show much in terms of the complex relationship the brothers had virtually no presence from the mother who was brilliant in the Kemp version.

At times it felt like a tragic romance film with a gangster story a second after thought.

You wouldn't or won't learn much about the Krays watching this.

It didn't glamorise them but also didn't show much either.

I said to the better half leaving if you could put Tom Hardy on the Kemp version it would make for an excellent film.

Overall apart from Hardy a disappointing film.

DeadHand · 27-09-2015 07:14PM

By the way, anyone wanting to see Tom Hardy as a London gangster again should check out Martina Cole's "the take". It was an excellent mini series that ran on Sky a few years ago.

Hardy is mesmerising in it.

fin12 · 27-09-2015 10:08PM

DeadHand wrote: »

By the way, anyone wanting to see Tom Hardy as a London gangster again should check out Martina Cole's "the take". It was an excellent mini series that ran on Sky a few years ago.

Hardy is mesmerising in it.

Ya its brilliant alright. Bought the dvds.

27-09-2015 11:27PM

DeadHand wrote: »

By the way, anyone wanting to see Tom Hardy as a London gangster again should check out Martina Cole's "the take". It was an excellent mini series that ran on Sky a few years ago.

Hardy is mesmerising in it.

First time I was introduced to Tom Hardy and just knew he was goin to make it big! He was fantastic in it, I'm a massive fan of his but I was disappointed in legend. I've seen it tonight and all though he was amazing in it the film really lacked something.

Looper007 · 28-09-2015 11:14AM

Marty McFly wrote: »

Just seen this today and like most I feel without Tom Hardy's presence as Reggie and Ron Kray to keep me watching I would have been bored senseless.

They didn't really show much in terms of the complex relationship the brothers had virtually no presence from the mother who was brilliant in the Kemp version.

At times it felt like a tragic romance film with a gangster story a second after thought.

You wouldn't or won't learn much about the Krays watching this.

It didn't glamorise them but also didn't show much either.

I said to the better half leaving if you could put Tom Hardy on the Kemp version it would make for an excellent film.

Overall apart from Hardy a disappointing film.

But the Kemp film has the same problems as the Hardy version, it get's bogged down in Frances storyline and it drags both films down. The Kemp version is good for half it's time but once she appears it loses it's way. I still prefer the Hardy version cause let's be honest Hardy is one of the best actors around today. Both films are hugely flawed, if they do another Kray's film (Legend has been a hit at the cinema.) could they please leave out the damn Wife story, no one is interested in it.

I still take Legend over the Kemp's version. Neither are classic's though.

Looper007 · 28-09-2015 11:17AM

DeadHand wrote: »

By the way, anyone wanting to see Tom Hardy as a London gangster again should check out Martina Cole's "the take". It was an excellent mini series that ran on Sky a few years ago.

Hardy is mesmerising in it.

or check out the best TV show around today Peaky Blinders. But Cillian Murphy steals that show, but Hardy in the little time he has is pretty damn scary. But The Take is amazing just for Hardy alone, he plays a right horrible sod but he makes you feel for him too.

littlevillage · 28-09-2015 11:44AM

fin12 wrote: »

I absolutely love Tom Hardy, he is so gorgeous, its unbelievable and such a brillant actor, everyone should go see his latest film child 44, brillant performance from Tom again.

Have been hearing lots of good things about Tom Hardy. I thought Locke was absolutely superb, am eagerly anticipating Legend.

There was nothing wrong with Hardy's performance in Child 44 ... But its a kind of an all over the place movie. What is it exactly?? .. a serial killer movie, a war movie, a drama ?? My opinion : its a 'dogs dinner', Hardy should have avoided it.

MagicMarker · 28-09-2015 12:00PM

Looper007 wrote: »

or check out the best TV show around today Peaky Blinders

Get a grip.

Looper007 · 29-09-2015 10:00AM

MagicMarker wrote: »

Get a grip.

Is that show any good :rolleyes:

No I won't and it's a matter of opinion. brilliant TV show.

Looper007 · 29-09-2015 10:06AM

littlevillage wrote: »

Have been hearing lots of good things about Tom Hardy. I thought Locke was absolutely superb, am eagerly anticipating Legend.

There was nothing wrong with Hardy's performance in Child 44 ... But its a kind of an all over the place movie. What is it exactly?? .. a serial killer movie, a war movie, a drama ?? My opinion : its a 'dogs dinner', Hardy should have avoided it.

That's a little harsh.

I loved Child 44, it's a tad overlong especially the first half hour (could have cut the war stuff down to 5 minutes). It's flawed for sure. but Hardy is excellent as always, as is Gary Oldman. Paddy Considine done his best with what was given to him. Noomi Rapace was fine (although I preferred in the Drop with Tom Hardy) but Vincent Cassel was wasted and Joel Kinnarman was a little OTT but played a good villain. I think it's a solid Thriller that should have been a lot better then it was. Hardy can come out of it with his head held high.

Brief_Lives · 29-08-2017 09:27AM

I just saw this movie last night on Netflix.
Overall I enjoyed it, as has been recounted above, Hardy is excellent in it.
I haven´t read the books about the Krays, but I know their Mom and Charlie had a bigger impact on their lives.

fin12 · 29-08-2017 08:12PM

Brief_Lives wrote: »

I just saw this movie last night on Netflix.
Overall I enjoyed it, as has been recounted above, Hardy is excellent in it.
I haven´t read the books about the Krays, but I know their Mom and Charlie had a bigger impact on their lives.

The film with the Kemp brothers is better, you get more of a background story. Don't think this version is great, actually found it funny when it's clearly not supposed to be and it wasn't just me, my dad was laughing at it aswell.

branie2 · 30-08-2017 01:17AM

I saw it, and it was very good.

Legend - starring Tom Hardy as both Kray Twins

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