THE KRAYS
UK, 1990, 119 minutes, Colour.
Gary Kemp, Martin Kemp, Billie Whitelaw, Tom Bell, Susan Fleetwood, Charlotte Cornwell, Kate Hardie, Avis Bunnage, Alfred Lynch, Steven Berkoff, Barbara Ferris, Victor Spinetti, John Mc Enery.
Directed by Peter Medak.
In this film about the notorious Kray brothers, who dominated London and the crime scene in the 1960s and would become celebrities, and not averse to being photographed with mainstream celebrities, were still alive, Reggie in prison and had been since the 1960s and who was to still spend more than a decade years in prison after the release of the film, and Ronnie who was in a mental institution.
The Kray brothers were twins and so Gary and Martin Kemp, with audience memories of the group, Spandau Ballet, portraying the brothers. But, one of the main emphases in the screenplay is the portrait of their mother, Violet, portrayed vividly by Billie Whitelaw.
The film traces their career, the influence, the protection rackets, the killings…
The film also introduces the young woman in love with the Reggie, Frances, Kate Hardie, who eventually married him, perhaps with the hope of changing him but who became more and more disillusioned and took her life.
One of the main features of the film is the range of British character actors in supporting roles. Director Peter Medak had a varied career making popular films and television movies as well as the classic, The Ruling Class with Peter O’ Toole.
There have been a number of documentaries about the Krays but 2015 saw an ambitious portrait of them and their work with Tom Hardy playing both of the brothers, Reggie looking like his regular self and make up and glasses and hairstyle changing for his portrayal of Ronnie. In this film, Legend, Frances is played by Emily Browning. And it is as far more visual and its presentation of violence, murders by both Reggie and Ronnie.
1. The impact of the film and its time? The reputation of the Krays? In the 1960s, subsequent decades? The twins still alive at the time of the film’s release?
2. True story, psychological portrait, gangster portrait?
3. The 1960s, London at the time, the East End, the world of crime? The detailed flashbacks to their childhood, the war? The subsequent history?
4. The facts, dramatised? Truth, validity? Visual presentation presenting the Krays realistically? The possibility of glamorising them?
5. The strong British cast, the Kemp twins as the Krays? Billie Whitelaw as their mother?
6. London, the period, the war and the blitz, the 1960s, costumes, cars, clubs? The musical score and the period?
7. Violet Kray as the focus of the film? Love for her children, possessive, protective, the war, the blitz experience, at home? The strong woman, surrounded by strong women, her considering men weak? Cosseting her sons?
8. Violet as a character, matriarch, love, protection, domination, influence, learning the truth, reactions?
9. The Krays as adults, their experience in London, the style of the 60s, as characters, twins and bonds?
10. The brothers as adults, each character, Reggie as a leader, strong, the brains? Ron and his psychological difficulties, treatment, madness combined with gangsterism?
11. Ambitions, self-worth? Domination in the East End, over London? Decisions, protection, the violence, their associates, the thugs, the money?
12. The police, the personalities, the pursuit?
13. The experience of jail, mental institutions?
14. The possibility of Mafia links? But the American approach more flamboyant than that of the British?
15. The details of crime, the creation of fear, exercising power, Jack and the others, Reggie’s behaviour? The entrepreneurs and working for protection, gambling, accounts? The brothers turning on people?
16. Court cases, witnesses, acquittal?
17. The presence of Frances, her family background, the connection with Reggie, her aims in life, love for Reggie, support, enjoying the privilege, the marriage, his treatment of her, her death?
18. A portrait of petty criminals who achieved some prominence, some celebrity, popularity?
19. Yet the brutality, the killings, the imprisonment and internment? The purpose of making this film?
