“Films about gangs in London” is a popular genre that often delves into the gritty and complex world of organized crime, street violence, and the struggle for power in the urban landscape. These films often explore the dynamics of various gangs, their conflicts, and the impact of their activities on the community.
“Layer Cake”, 2004
Director: Matthew Vaughn
Directed by Matthew Vaughn, this film follows a London-based criminal who is looking to retire from the underworld but gets dragged into a dangerous drug deal.
Starring: Daniel Craig, Sienna Miller, Colm Meaney, Kenneth Cranham, Michael Gambon, Jason Flemyng, Tom Hardy, Ben Whishaw, Dexter Fletcher, George Harris, Jamie Foreman, Sally Hawkins, Burn Gorman, Brinley Green, Tamer Hassan, Marcel Iures, Francis Magee, Dimitri Andreas, Garry Tubbs, Nathalie Lunghi, Marvin Benoit, Rab Affleck, Steve John Shepherd, Paul Orchard, Stephen Walters, Louis Emerick, Darren Healy, Matt Ryan, Ivan Kaye, Ben Brazier, Neil Finnighan, Budge Prewitt, Don McCorkindale, Dragan Micanovic, James Dodd, Darren Sean Enright, Jon Adam Freeman, Steve Hooper, Philip Howard, Brad Jacobowitz, Kelly-Marie Kerr, Kinky Kerry, Arnold Montey, Peter Rnic, Nick Thomas-Webster, Lucy Wills;
Production year: 2004;
Genre: action, thriller, drama, crime;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 105 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
More information about the film “Layer Cake” on the website imdb.com
“RocknRolla”, 2008
Director: Guy Ritchie
Directed by Guy Ritchie, this film weaves a tale of a real estate scam and the criminal underworld of London, involving various gangsters and their conflicting interests.
Starring: Gerard Butler, Tom Wilkinson, Thandiwe Newton, Mark Strong, Idris Elba, Tom Hardy, Karel Roden, Toby Kebbell, Jeremy Piven, Ludacris, Jimi Mistry, Matt King, Geoff Bell, Dragan Micanovic, Michael Ryan, Nonso Anozie, Gemma Arterton, David Bark-Jones, David Leon, Bronson Webb, Kelly George, Roland Manookian, Jamie Campbell Bower, Alex Kovas, Mario Woszcycki, Mickey De Hara, Scott McNess, Tim Wallers, James Greene, Jasper Jacob, Joanna Bacon, Johnny Harris, Tiffany Mulheron, Ben Caplan, Ben Homewood, David Sterne, Oliver Dimsdale, Blake Ritson, Robert Stone, Andy Linden, Jason Courtis, Charlotte Armer, Rory Sadler, Oliver Dean, Anton Valensi, James Puddephatt, Laura McIntosh, Morne Botes, Michael Fenton Crenshaw, Ian Houghton;
Production year: 2008;
Genre: crime, action, thriller;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 114 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,2;
More information about the film “RocknRolla” on the website imdb.com
“Harry Brown”, 2009
Director: Daniel Barber
Directed by Daniel Barber, this film stars Michael Caine as an elderly man who takes matters into his own hands to deal with the gang violence in his neighborhood.
Starring: Michael Caine, Emily Mortimer, Charlie Creed-Miles, Liam Cunningham, Plan B, David Bradley, Sean Harris, Jack O'Connell, Lee Oakes, Joe Gilgun, Iain Glen, Jamal Downey, Marva Alexander, Liz Daniels, Marvin Campbell, Lauretta Gavin, Radoslaw Kaim, Claire Hackett, Ashley McGuire, Raza Jaffrey, Martin Wilde, Sian Milne, Klariza Clayton, Grace Vallorani, Sue Farr, Forbes KB, Michelle Tate, Orla O'Rourke, Andy Pilgrim, Aldonio Danny Freitas, Mens-Sana Tamakloe, Rob Hunt, Gary Hoptrough, Gary Connery, Charles Ramsay, Pete Ford, Andy Merchant, Ian van Temperley, Erol Mehmet, Roy Taylor, Chris Pollard, Amy Steel, Robert Styles, Andy Wareham, Tony Massiah, Ian Pead, Belinda McGinley, Ashley George, Amy Edge, Paul Buchanan;
Production year: 2009;
Genre: action, thriller, drama, crime;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 103 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,2;
“Ill Manors”, 2012
Director: Plan B
Directed by Ben Drew, this film offers a raw and intense portrayal of the lives of several characters involved in the gang culture of East London.
Starring: Riz Ahmed, Ed Skrein, Keef Coggins, Lee Allen, Anouska Mond, Eloise Smyth, Nick Sagar, Nathalie Press, Ryan De La Cruz, Neil Large, Sliem Ben-Salah, Dan Lloyd Jones, Flinty Badman, Deman Rockers, Andrew Okello, Patrick Hearn, Kevin Waller, Neil Finney, Mark Scott, Richard Watson, Leon Gustaffe, Chris Donnelly, Booboo Smith, Lucy Flack, Robert Judd, Jaden Allen, Shaquille Ryan Kirkland, Joshua Osei, Ricci Harnett, Sean Richard, Gavin Watson, Akil Clarke, Marvin Hay, Peter Luck, David Coyne, Tom Bacon, William Gregory, Dannielle Brent, Killa Kela, Ragz, Bagga Bones, Baker Trouble, Joshua McKenzie, Sean Sagar, Elvan Kiani, Finbar Fitzgerald, Dushane Casteallo, Ashleigh Jonas, Fady Elsayed, Georgia Farthing;
Production year: 2012;
Genre: drama, crime, music;
Duration: 121 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,1;
More information about the film “Ill Manors” on the website imdb.com
These films capture the dark and compelling narratives of gang life in London, showcasing the struggles, conflicts, and consequences faced by those involved in this underworld.
In conclusion, films about gangs in London offer a compelling lens through which to explore the complexities of urban life, loyalty, and the often brutal struggle for power. From the gritty realism of “London Fields” to the stylized violence of “Layer Cake,” these narratives capture the multifaceted nature of gang culture, revealing not only the dark underbelly of society but also the human stories that unfold within it. As directors and writers continue to delve into this rich subject matter, audiences are invited to confront the moral ambiguities and harsh realities faced by those living on the fringes, making these films both a reflection of and commentary on the ever-evolving landscape of London's streets.
