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Billie Whitelaw, Tom Bell, Gary Kemp, Martin Kemp, Charlotte Cornwell ... see more see more... , Susan Fleetwood , Jimmy Jewel , Kate Hardie , Avis Bunnage , Alfred Lynch , Steven Berkoff , Gary Love , Victor Spinetti , Barbara Ferris , Michael Balfour , Jason Bennett , Mark Burdis , Chrissie Cotterill , Noel Davis , Vernon Dobtcheff , Soo Drouet , Michael Elphick , Sadie Frost , Harlon Haveland , Stephen Lewis , Patti Love , Angus MacInnes , John McEnery , Murray Melvin , Julia Migenes , Roger Monk , Chris Pitt , Norman Rossington , Peter Turner , Richard Vanstone , John-Paul White , Laura Cox , Julie May , Jeremy Zimmerman , Michael White (I) , Michael Carr , Michael White (XX)

Peter Medak directed this fact-based drama, chronicling the lives of the infamous Kray Brothers, notorious celebrities in 60s London. The Krays were twin gangsters who ruled London's stylish East End ... read more read more...club scene, staking out their territory by committing the most violent crimes imaginable, preferring to perform the most torturous acts themselves. The film stars Gary Kemp and Martin Kemp, founding members of the pop group Spandau Ballet, as Ronald and Reginald Kray. The film opens as their mother Violet Kray (Billie Whitelaw) recalls a dream in which she is a swan from which two beautiful babies have hatched. She can't tell if the swans are angels or demons, but the film soon answers that question for her. Brought up in London's East End in the 1930s, Ronald and Reginald Kray are raised in the resentful world of Violet, who is hateful of her lot in life and bitter at the control men have in running the world ("Housework is a lethal business," she says). The twins react to each other almost telepathically and they take out their anger by clogging the nose of their sleeping father (Alfred Lynch), pushing around fellow schoolboys, and even beating each other to pulp at a boxing match. When her mother chastises them for their fight in a fairground boxing ring ("You fight them up, but you don't fight each other"), the twins veer into the London underworld. In their self-contained world of Us-Against-Them, the Krays rapidly rise to the height of power, first taking over the territory of a petty mobster by violent means and then putting together an underworld empire of posh clubs, cars, and fancy suits. But at the height of their fame, the twins begin to break from each other. Reginald falls in love with Frances (Kate Hardie), while Ronald gets involved in a homosexual relationship with one of his underlings. Ronald, in a jealous rage over Frances stealing his brother away from him, becomes even more brutal in his crimes and while the brothers' backs are turned, a group of older mobsters challenge the Krays' authority, invoking a horrible bloodbath that effects not only the two brothers but Frances and Violet as well. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

Flixster Users

80% liked it

7,351 ratings

Critics

85% liked it

13 critics

R, 1 hr. 59 min.

Directed by: Peter Medak

Release Date: June 1, 1990

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DVD Release Date: May 22, 1991

Stats: 376 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (376)

  • SirPant
    February 8, 2012
    SirPant
    I could have sworn I've reviewed this before!? Anyway, The Krays has certainly stood the test of time. It remains as powerful as it was on its release, even if the actors haven't. Peter Medak made sure not to skip over any detail too, I've seen a few other versions were Ronald Kr... read moreay's homosexuality wasn't even mentioned. I've never understood the admiration the Krays have received over the years, charismatic yes but nasty pieces of work also but this film remains faithful to their story to its credit.
  • 76Majikat
    April 4, 2010
    76Majikat
    I can't believe this film is 20 years old!

    It was a much awaited British film at the time of it's release and the first of many to spark the gangster/celebrity true crime genre.

    The film itself, is not a greatly made film, the Kemp brothers weren't necessarily the best choi... read morece for the roles, there are major discrepancies between the film and later books that were released and of course many unproven things at that time, that couldn't make it into the film itself. Perhaps at some point there will be a much more accurate telling of the story, but I'm sure that will take a long while until it can be made, rumours spread for many years that Ray Winstone would be offered the chance to play both Ron and Reg, but that doesn't seem to have materialised.

    What I did like about this film was how they showed the war days, the poverty, the East End spirit and the background where the boys grew up. Billie Whitelaw was also a credit to this cast and gave an enjoyable performance.

    I haven't watched the film for years, but there must be something I really liked about it, as I still seem to know every quoteable line from it.

    If you are a fan of true crime stories, then it's certainly worth a watch.
  • DrBenway
    May 9, 2008
    DrBenway
    Based on the true story of identical twin brothers Ronald and Reginald Kray, the drama of the most notorious British crime lords focuses on character to include homosexuality, a domineering mother, and jealousy leading to hyperviolent bloodletting, rather than the glamorization ... read moreof the gangster lifestyle.

    The Brits love their gangster movies, especially when they're about Brits, and The Krays has enough to stand alongside some of the best gangster films to date. Considering the stars of the film, Martin and Gary Kemp, are from the 80's group Spandau Ballet, this movie is anything but soft.
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  • SarahG1988
    August 5, 2007
    SarahG1988
    Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

    This fact-based movie follows the life of the twin crime-lords in London's 60's underwor... read moreld

    A great British ganster film that depicts the life of London's most famous gamster brother so well. Noth actors researching their roles as Martin Kemp, visited his counter-part in prison. They gives the definition of method acting at it's best. Brilliant!

    The Krays is directed well, at times with a hand-held camera and Montage editing at times. Of Course it's not going to be as great as Scorsese's Ganster classic Goodfellas(1990), made at that time-put for sure it will be a true Brit classic for years to come.

    This film is a depiction of power, greed and money and how it corrupts. "When people are afraid of you, you can do anything" says Ronnie Kray to his brother Reggie. The greediness and other forms of corruption - like revenge - become so strong that they finally destroy everything the brothers have reached. Clearly throughout the film we begin to see Ronnie becoming the more diminent twin and we see his homersexual tendencies. Played brilliantly by Gary Kemp, who really pocessed the character well; perhaps better than Martin for me.

    To define brilliant acting, you need the actors to become the protagnists on screen, and that is what we see with real-life brothers; Gary and Martin Kemp. The fact that they are brothers in real life, makes them more believable on screen. Martin and Gary Kemp here, and perhaps with some shock, were perfectly cast as the boys in their adult life. Gary Kemp as Ronnie Kray carried off, with a certain ease, the slowly more violent character, while Martin Kemp built up a more subtle, but equally as impressive performance as Reggie. Bille Whitelaw was perfect as the mother of the twins - Violet Kray, and her lines (such as "Mummy loves you") always seemed in place. Her gentle aging throughout the film was also carried off in time with the character. A very honorable mention goes to Susan Fleetwood, who played Aunt Rose admirably.

    Michael Kamen and Chris Rea came up with music with commented on the action, and brought a genuine sense of unease to the picture. The actress playing Francis, Reggie's wife, perfectly played her character well- and convincing at that.

    Perhpaps the only flaw with this film is that some of the character's actions aren't explained fully enough, and there is no real explanation as to HOW that got to power. For me, that didn't matter as the two hours flew by and I din't really notice. Most of the scenes in the movie, really happened and some really made me squirm at times. Overall the film perfectly shows the life and times of the brothers. Also gave me an insight into life in the East End of Londonin the 1960's.

    *Recomended Watch*
  • Deano78
    June 10, 2007
    Deano78
    A cool violent drama charting the life of the notorious Krays brothers.
  • Lemure
    September 14, 2009
    Lemure
    The British answer to Godfather which may lack the polish (it's really looking dated now), but it doesn't have all the paunch either. It's the character work that stuns here - it's slightly better than Long Good Friday. Any fans of gangster movies absolutely must see this. Thorou... read moreghly engrossing.
  • hawkledge
    February 1, 2009
    hawkledge
    Extraordinary film, with extraordinary acting and spooky synergy from brothers Gary and Martin Kemp, members of the '80s pop group Spandau Ballet.
  • liverandcheetos
    August 4, 2008
    liverandcheetos
    Interesting that more people know nothing of this movie, much less video stores have it to rent. I caught it on HBO? Showtime? many moons ago and taped it. Now my VHS tape is dying and that blows.

    Its a story based on the life of two real gangsters in England during the seco... read morend world war. They are a creepy, sadistic duo who go around doing what gangsters do, but in a very stylish unnerving way. This is a great flick that also gives insight as to what average folk went through during WWII.

    You haven't seen this movie, but you should (if you can find it)
  • nwosuagu
    October 2, 2007
    nwosuagu
    It's been a while. I need to see this again. But as Neil Stephenson says, swords need no demonstration.
  • cecelia14
    March 29, 2007
    cecelia14
    Yeah, since blood is thicker than water, why not spill a little? The Kemps are excellent as the Krays.

View All The Krays Reviews

Critic Reviews

Ken Hanke
June 23, 2003
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Occasionally successful, but not Peter Medak at his best.

Darrin Keene
February 4, 2003
Darrin Keene, Film Threat

A pseudo-bio pic that is little more than a vehicle to shock and tittilate.

Owen Gleiberman
September 7, 2011
Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly

Click to read the article Full Review

March 26, 2009
Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Janet Maslin
August 30, 2004
Janet Maslin, New York Times

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Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Desson Thomson
January 1, 2000
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

Click to read the article Full Review

Hal Hinson
January 1, 2000
Hal Hinson, Washington Post

Click to read the article Full Review

June 1, 1990
Entertainment Weekly

Click to read the article Full Review

Christopher Null
July 6, 2006
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com

Click to read the article Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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The Krays Trivia

  • In which 1990 film did Martin Kemp and Gary Kemp star as 2 twins in the 1950's?  Answer »
  • Who played the part of Ronnie Kray in the movie 'The Krays'?  Answer »
  • Gary Kemp, who played Ronald in The Krays, is better-known as the lead singer of what 80's pop group?  Answer »
  • Everyone was scared of these two brothers. They where notorious for hurting people, loved their mom, One was gay and they both ended up doing time for their crimes. Name the film?  Answer »
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