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The Krays

The Krays

Drama · Crime · History · 1990

Twins Ronnie and Reggie Kray are raised in east London, under the influence of their hateful but doting mother Violet. As they grow up, Ronnie's violent nature takes over, and Reggie follows his brother's lead. The two become notorious crime lords who rule over the East End club scene. But at the height of their power, the brothers veer into different lives, giving the older crime bosses a chance to reclaim what the Krays took from them.

Movie details

The Krays

“When people are afraid of you... you can do anything. Remember that.”

1990 Drama · Crime · History 1h 59m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

6.0 / 10

Community rating

Twins Ronnie and Reggie Kray are raised in east London, under the influence of their hateful but doting mother Violet. As they grow up, Ronnie's violent nature takes over, and Reggie follows his brother's lead. The two become notorious crime lords who rule over the East End club scene. But at the height of their power, the brothers veer into different lives, giving the older crime bosses a chance to reclaim what the Krays took from them.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over The Krays?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Peter Medak

Written by

Philip Ridley

Gary Kemp

Gary Kemp

Ronald Kray

Martin Kemp

Martin Kemp

Reggie Kray

Billie Whitelaw

Billie Whitelaw

Violet Kray

Tom Bell

Tom Bell

Jack 'The Hat' McVitie

Susan Fleetwood

Susan Fleetwood

Rose

Charlotte Cornwell

Charlotte Cornwell

May

Kate Hardie

Kate Hardie

Frances

Court is in session

Put The Krays on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Auteur Devotee

“Form is the argument.”

Every composed frame and deliberate cut is evidence that control can be thrilling in its own right.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Technique in search of a pulse.”

Immaculate construction is still construction. The film may be too busy proving its craft to feel alive.