TANK MALLING

UK, 1989, 96 minutes, Colour.
Ray Winstone, Jason Connery, Amanda Donohoe.
Directed by James Marcus.

Tank Malling (Beyond Soho) is a grim drama of British gangsters of the 80s. Focusing on surface morality and campaigns for moral revival, it also focuses on the corruption of British Society and leadership below the surface. In fact, ultimately the film is completely pessimistic. The film was co-written and directed by James Marcus.

It has a number of characters, quite a number of plot tangles which require audience attention. It also presupposes an amount of information prior to the films opening that is only gradually revealed, also requiring attention. The title refers to John "Tank" Malling, a top investigative journalist who has been imprisoned for perjury after trying to expose Sir Robert Knights. Knights (played by Peter Wyngarde) is a allegedly involved in British vice but is also the secretary of a moral revival movement. However, he is also mad seeing himself as chosen by God for his moral campaign. Ray Winstone is Malling. Also in the cast is Amanda Donohue, a constant screen and television presence at the end of the 80s and early 90s with such films as Castaway, Paper Mask, The Rainbow, Glare of the White Worm, Diamond Skulls as well as a continuing role in L.A.Law. Jason Connery is also featured as Sir Robert Knight's cold and ruthless assistant. The co-producer, Glen Murphy appears as the ruthless hit man, Cashman.

Glossy surface, murky atmosphere, many complexities - but of interest for those who enjoy complex gangster movies, especially English style.

1. Impact of the movie? As a thriller? Portrait of journalists, prostitutes, the media, hit men, high society? The implications of fascists coup d’etat for Britain? The critic of British morality?

2. The London settings, Soho and beyond? Affluent English society? The contrast with the sleazy nightclubs? The television studios and the media? The musical score?

3. The title with its focus on Malling? (The alternate title and the emphasis on sleaziness and Soho?)

4. Audience ability to follow the plot, understand what had happened to Malling prior to the films opening? His relationship with Helen? The behaviour of Sir Robert Knights? Knights assistant and his ruthlessness, the hit men? The murder of the young prostitute?
The further murders by Cashman? The moral revival movement and the implications of having the police, the church, the judiciary part of the plot?

5. The credits and the young girl coming to London, the young prostitute, her bewilderment? Her murder? Helens upset at her murder and wanting to give information to Malling? 6. Malling, his reputation? The attack on Knights? His credibility undermined? His serving two years in jail? His return, as a photographer? The social event, talking with journalists? Helen approaching him and his violet reaction? His believing her and taking her home? His relationship with Salina, her jealousy? Helen and the memories of the relationship of the past? Her betrayal of him? Her upset at the prostitute's murder? the interrogations and her being taped? Her own emotional reaction, her memories of the past (and the lurid flashbacks to perverted behaviour)? His decision to go with the material? The warnings? The murder of Monica, Helen's friend? Her suggestion of Campbell Sinclair and his publication? Malling’s visit to Sinclair, the possibility of the expose? His wanting to get Sir Robert Knights diary, going with Danny, infiltrating the house, the safe? Getting the diary? The interactions with Cashman and his henchmen? With Knights assistant - and his being setup, Danny's being killed? Helen's death? The encounter with Salina, the affair, the shower sequence - and the brutality of her death? His growing desperate? Campbell being assaulted? His finally going into the moral revival session, listening to the speech - and, his having nothing to lose, killing Sir Robert Knights? The pessimistic ending?

6. Helen, her glamour, approaching Malling? Memories of the past? Her background as a drug addict, prostitute, procurer? The flashbacks? Her interrogation, being taped?

7. The news of the death of Monica? Her getting him in touch with Sinclair? The interactions with Salina? Her death?

8. Salina, fashion editor, relationship with Malling, her jealousy? The sexual encounter? Her death?

9. Sir Robert Knights, prominent? The accusations and his denials? His background of perversion, violence and murder? His public speeches? The television interview anal his sense of mission? Getting rid of violence and corruption? The bishop, the judge, the police chief? The plans for taking over? His mania, his outburst with the small group? His outburst during his speech? His death?

10. Cashman and his assistant, the contacts in Soho, the confrontation of Monica and slashing her? Killing the informant after torturing him? The murder of Salina, of Helen? The confrontation with Malling? Knights assistant freeing him and giving him the gun? The fight with Malling, His death?

11. The assistant, bespectacled and proper? ruthless? Handling Sir Robert Knights? Instructions to Cashman? Presenting Knights to the bishop and the judiciary and the police? His setting up Danny, the stealing of the diary, freeing Malling, manipulating Cashman's death? Manipulating Sir Robert Knights assassination? His being completely in control? His future?

12. The portrait of the police, officials? Entangled in Knights perverse world? Constitution and sexual behaviour? Knights hold over them? Sinclair ringing the police inspector and giving him information about Malling?

13. Sinclair, editor, suspicions? His camp and style? His belief in Malling’s' word? The attack by Cashman - his playing it for ironic laughs yet his fear and intimidation?

14. A picture of late 80s Britain? Respectability? Corruption? Politics and a fascist takeover of Britain?