Bare Knuckle

2016

1 hr. 30 min.

Drama

Biography

List

Reviews

40%

50+ Ratings

Audience Score

Lenny McLean, also known as the "The Guv'nor," becomes Britain's most notorious bare-knuckle boxer, as well as a bouncer, actor and bodyguard.

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matthew b

This is one of those movies where I can't tell if an actor's performance, Josh Helman, is either terrible or good or interestingly different. Although, I can't say the thing same thing for the movie itself.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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Audience Member

Totally woeful, This film doesn't stand up to the stature of the man. The acting is eastenderesque and scenes are generally a Mish mash which stops you having any real interest in a story.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

02/06/23

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Audience Member

Where do I start? This film was pretty awful from the start. Josh Helman, (the actor that plays Lenny) is far too small. (Lenny's hands were like two bunches of bananas). Helman and most of his co-stars are simply awful at imitating the 'cockney' accent. The first fight scene was so badly choreographed, it was laughable. Plus the random singing during the fight was just embarrassing to watch. I find it strange that there seems to be a lot of emphasis on his OCD, which was largely un-discussed while he was alive and little mannerisms that he had. The tightly-shut -blinking thing he used to do with his eyes, his growly low voice and his slight underbite. All things that Henley or at least the director done well to pick up on, but has massively over exaggerated and over emphasised these things to the point it's just visibly forced and badly acted. One of my biggest problems with this film, is that it portrays Lenny McLean ad s a drunken, no-good bully. Which couldn't be further from the truth. All of this topped off with Michael Bisping being cast as Roy Shaw. No lines and a generally awkward performance in what, I'm assuming, is his first ever acting role. Even a professional fighter was unable to make these fight scenes convincing. Misrepresentation of the main character, badly cast, badly acted and a paper thin story which very loosely follows true events. Overall a real stinker. The Guv'nor would be turning in his (probably rather large) grave. RIP Lenny.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

01/31/23

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Audience Member

Lenny, the daddy cool! Another boxing film based on a real person. Not exactly the sports film with actions you want to see. Because it is about the underground boxing theme with less traditional. So it is not like a real heroism story. Lanny, an orphan grew up with his abusive step-dad, developed a tough character. Being aggressive made him a champion at the barehanded street fights. With poverty ridden, now he's trying his luck on the underground boxing, which drastically brings a big change in his life. Usually biographical film fascinates. Because their achievements are hard earned. So their rise in life inspires thousands of people who watch the film. This was not the same kind. But it had some good side too. The story was okay, though the performances totally annoyed me. That's the main reason I consider it an average. It might be the right depiction of the character Lenny, but cinematically not right. Maybe different cast would have brought different, appropriate result. Only being a biopic is the reason it's worth a watch, but nothing else worked for it. 6/10

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/30/23

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Audience Member

Shocking film. Very boring. Lenny looks horrifyingly constipated in every scene. Only entertaining part is his facial expressions!!

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/09/23

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gareth d

If you know who Lenny McClean is, have read his bio and have any interest in the underground boxing scene, you'll enjoy this. Yah the acting is 'interesting' with all the gurning, but it works pretty well. I enjoyed it.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Ron Scalpello

Director

Josh Helman

Lenny McLean

Michael Bisping

Roy Shaw

Chanel Cresswell

Valerie McLean

John Hurt

Leslie Salmon

Nick Moran

Johnny Bootnose

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Kevin Maher

Times (UK)

The hunky Australian actor Josh Helman is woefully miscast in a paper-thin and blood-spattered biopic of the bare-knuckle fighter and East End demigod Lenny McLean.

Rated: 2/5

Jun 8, 2017

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Jeremy Aspinall

Radio Times

A serious take on a local (if not untarnished) hero.

Rated: 3/5

Jun 8, 2017

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Synopsis

Lenny McLean, also known as the "The Guv'nor," becomes Britain's most notorious bare-knuckle boxer, as well as a bouncer, actor and bodyguard.

Director: Ron Scalpello
Executive Producer: Ian Berg, Christopher Reynolds, Hugo Grumbar, Tim Haslam
Screenwriter: Paul Van Carter, Martin Askew
Production Co: Salon Pictures
Genre: Drama, Biography
Original Language: English (United Kingdom)
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 22, 2020

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