Gangster No. 1

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Gangster No. 1

R

Released Jun 14, 2002

1h 43m

Crime

Drama

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Popcornmeter

71%

Tomatometer

52 Reviews

77%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

The time is now. The scene is a ringside table at a boxing match, held at a deluxe London hotel. At the head of the table sits Gangster (Malcolm McDowell), the undisputed king of London's gangland. Life couldn't be sweeter, until Gangster learns that Freddie Mays is being released from prison. Freddie Mays, his old boss and mentor, is coming out after doing 30 years for murder. Hearing Freddie Mays' name, even after all these years, stirs up a frightening well of emotions in Gangster...

Critics Consensus

Gangster No. 1 is brutally violent, yet also compelling.

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Empire Magazine

Rated: 3/5

Dec 30, 2006

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Mark Kermode

Sight & Sound

It's a handsomely ugly affair, well dressed enough to make a few friends, but tough enough to make just as many enemies.

Dec 2, 2002

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Chris Vognar

Dallas Morning News

Director Paul McGuigan and cast infuse the proceedings with a strong dose of psychotic gusto and visual flare.

Rated: B

Sep 12, 2002

Full Review

Felix Vasquez Jr.

Cinema Crazed

Despite some really good performances especially from Bettany, this is a pretty terrible movie...

Apr 29, 2009

Full Review

Film Threat

Rated: 3.5/5

Dec 6, 2005

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Sarah Chauncey

Reel.com

Rated: 4/5

Jun 4, 2004

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ANY1aBLUE

How can ‘top critic' criticise this for being ‘soulless'?! That's EXACTLY what it was meant to be all about - being a gangster can't be glamorous most of the time. This is an absolute belter of a gritty, period Bristish gangster film. Brilliant acting, sets and script. Of course, if you were expecting an American stylised version of what it's like to be a criminal (Heat etc) then jog on…………

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/08/24

Full Review

Redbil A

This film plays more like a horror movie. A truly underrated classic. Bettany is on top form!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/09/24

Full Review

Sean D

Definitely one of the best British films. Paul Bettany is amazing, and surprisingly genuinely creepy!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/07/23

Full Review

Audience Member

British Gangster film that is anchored by Paul Bettany (Young) and Malcolm McDowell (Old) playing the lead character "Gangster 55". David Thewlis is pretty good as Freddie Mays. It gets a little off the tracks at the end of the film, but overall it was a decent movie.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/26/23

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Audience Member

An ambitious gangster's aspirations. Also Jarvis was left hand man to Professor Lupin.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/18/23

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Audience Member

Underated and probably too violent and sweary for general release. Looks like a play on screen, which it is. In this case, it works. There is a dark Shakespearean edge to the narrative and characters. Casting is outstanding and technically, the film is strong. Powerful, but not for the faint hearted. Spectacular performances by the principals. Watch it if you dare! A strong contribution to the genre. If you liked A Long Good Friday, then this for you.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/09/23

Full Review

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Paul McGuigan

Director

Malcolm McDowell

Gangster 55

David Thewlis

Freddie Mays

Paul Bettany

Young Gangster

Saffron Burrows

Karen

Kenneth Cranham

Tommy

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Synopsis

The time is now. The scene is a ringside table at a boxing match, held at a deluxe London hotel. At the head of the table sits Gangster (Malcolm McDowell), the undisputed king of London's gangland. Life couldn't be sweeter, until Gangster learns that Freddie Mays is being released from prison. Freddie Mays, his old boss and mentor, is coming out after doing 30 years for murder. Hearing Freddie Mays' name, even after all these years, stirs up a frightening well of emotions in Gangster...

Director: Paul McGuigan
Producer: Jonathan Cavendish, Norma Heyman
Screenwriter: Johnny Ferguson
Distributor: IFC Films
Production Co: NFH Productions, Pagoda Film
Rating: R (Pervasive Language|Nudity|Brief Drug Use|Strong Brutal Violence)
Genre: Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 14, 2002, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 30, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $30.9K
Runtime: 1h 43m
Sound Mix: Dolby Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Surround, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)