Legend - starring Tom Hardy as both Kray Twins

Looks interesting. Coincidently tonight I've just watched the 1990 Kemp brothers film. It focused more on the impact of the Kray's career on those around them, particularly the women in their lives, which was a novel approach compared to many gangster films before & since. It certainly didn't allow the viewer to think there was any glamour about the Kray universe. There's a lot that the new film could deal with from a different perspective, particularly looking at the trial & prison life of the pair, which is something the 1990 film almost completely left out.

Watched the trailer and got a sense of Goodfellas from it - looks the dogs though ;-)

fin12 wrote: »

Ya cant wait to see this, Love Tom Hardy, absolutely gorgeous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Was just reading about the krays today on Wikipedia, One of the brothers had a one night stand with Barbara Windsor(Peggy from Eastenders).

So that's where Phil gets it from

Looking forward to seeing this too, trailer looks decent.

dark crystal wrote: »

Have my ticket booked for next Thursday - can't wait!

The trailers look great and if Hardy's performances in Bronson and Locke are anything to go by, I'm expecting something very special.

I know it's not officially released until next week, but has anyone come across any early reviews yet?

There's a review in the Dailymail online today, Headline is Tom Hardy delivers a double whammy but his film's too soft on the kray's.

Looks good but have a feeling it will make the Krays out to be superstars.

Was listening to an interview with the director on BBC Radio 4 (not actually in my sixties :P) and he just fawned over them, seemed in awe.

By all accounts they were both horrible murderous b*stards so a bit of balance in the story would be nice.

Will reserve judgement though!

True, there's very few gangster films which end with the protagonist settling into a peaceful old age as a wealthy & respected pillar of the community. From the very earliest days of the genre it's always been made clear that the end of these people is almost always in a hail of bullets or a prison cell. The best of them of course are not simply about the career of some murderous thug like Dillinger, Mesrine or the Krays but manage to tell a story about the particular socio-economic & cultural context from which they emerge.

What remains so enduring about the story of the Krays is the way in which they became a part of the "swinging sixties" culture, being photographed by David Bailey & hanging out with film stars, just as US gangsters enjoyed associating with Frank Sinatra. This is of course contrasted with the dirt-poor circumstances from which they rose in the East End.

The rags to riches theme is one which has always attracted audiences, even if or perhaps because it's invariably shown to be a fleeting & superficial form of "riches" that gangsters attain. The ordinary person is both titilated by the vast wealth, sex & notoriety on offer & at the same time confirmed in their own moral righteousness by the ignominious end of the criminal.

Anyway, definitely looking forward to checking this one out in the next couple of weeks.

Lenin Skynard wrote: »

Ah sure isn't he only gaaaarjess.

I'll take the spandau ballet pair over this any day. If I watch this I'll only end up comparing it to that original film. This looks too much like Goodfellas and I always find it a bit distracting when one actor is playing twins. Like those Linsay Lohan movies when she was a kid or that terrible one with Bette Midler from the '80s.

True and a dog lover.

Is the spandau ballet version good, whats that called, never watched it?

Just seen it tonight. I really liked it , it did drag on a little bit but Tom was excellent in both roles particularly Ronnie. Most of the cinema was in knots laughing every time Ronnie was on screen I never realised how much of a nutcase he really was!
4 out of 5 for me

There is a bit of a buzz about the poster disguising The Guardian's two star review.
Well played by the movie's marketing team.

Faith+1 wrote: »

You guys should check out another flick called The rise of the krays.

Was released this year straight to DVD but I thought it was a pretty unique take on the Kray twins. And yes in this one Ron is portrayed as a right headcase.

Il prob check that out because I just watched the kemp brothers version a few days ago, not bad.

With the exception of Hardy, there was nothing to really excite in this film. In truth it was a little tedious. We got no real insight into the Krays with the exception of Ronnie being portrayed, correctly, as a total fruitcake. There was no exposition as to how they get to where they did in crimeland and the portaryal of the cops was pretty one dimensional. A major disappointment