The Long Good Friday

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The Long Good Friday

R

Released Apr 2, 1982

1h 54m

Crime

Drama

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Popcornmeter

97%

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32 Reviews

89%

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10,000+ Ratings

In the late 1970s, Cockney crime boss Harold Shand (Bob Hoskins), a gangster trying to become a legitimate property mogul, has big plans to get the American Mafia to bankroll his transformation of a derelict area of London into the possible venue for a future Olympic Games. However, a series of bombings targets his empire on the very weekend the Americans are in town. Shand is convinced there is a traitor in his organization, and sets out to eliminate the rat in typically ruthless fashion.

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Critics Consensus

Bob Hoskins commands a deviously sinister performance in The Long Good Friday -- a gangster flick with ferocious intelligence, tight plotting and razor-edged thrills.

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Anton Bitel

Little White Lies

John Mackenzie’s gangster film offers a panorama of Britain’s shifting place in the world during the Seventies.

May 28, 2024

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David Jenkins

Little White Lies

The simple, almost Shakespearean moral is that nefarious deeds breed a climate of contempt, and that any success will always be tainted.

Rated: 4/5

Jun 23, 2015

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Mark Kermode

Observer (UK)

Sheer brilliance.

Rated: 5/5

Jun 21, 2015

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

The authenticity all around – from sets to personas to underhanded deals to murders – is approached with a welcome sincerity and realism (save for some over-the-top drama during final showdowns), which would inspire and influence gangster films to come.

Rated: 9/10

Aug 23, 2025

Full Review

James Kendrick

Q Network Film Desk

Hoskins and Mirren make a formidable pair; their emotional tension matches the physical violence around them, which makes The Long Good Friday into a true powder keg of a gangster melodrama.

Rated: 3.5/4

Nov 22, 2024

Full Review

Tom Cassidy

Common Sense Media

Without The Long Good Friday, it's hard to imagine the likes of Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels existing. To its credit, the film still feels fresh despite its legacy in the movies that followed.

May 30, 2023

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Alain E

Not a masterpiece, say a British Godfather, but viewable. They cruelly destroy a Rolls but the Jaguar escapes. Hoskins is of course very good. Helen Mirren looked more attractive when young (most of us do, unfortunately) but I think she is acting better now.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

07/02/25

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B M

An interesting look back, fun to see Hoskins and Mirren in their prime. And Pierce Brosnan has a very brief role, almost didn't recognize him he's so young. The movie has some good moments but the story and dialogue are not very strong, low budget and weak direction. Watched because it's listed with Criterion but wouldn't recomment it. It was a big flop at the box office.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

05/28/25

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Helen E

The best British gangster film

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/10/24

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Ant O

As much a period piece of a London part gone and certainly changed, the godfather of British gangster films still looms over them like Bob Hoskins looms over this film. Prescient and still packing a punch.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/07/24

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Mark C

Doesn't stand the test of time too well. Bob Hoskins was great in his role and the main theme song is so iconic.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

08/19/24

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matthew w

Bob Hoskins oozes menace as London crime boss Harold Shand, who in one violent weekend has to navigate a multi million pound deal with the mafia, as well as find a rat in his organzation while the IRA continually put pay to his plans.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/01/24

Full Review

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John Mackenzie

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Bob Hoskins

Harold Shand

Helen Mirren

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Synopsis

In the late 1970s, Cockney crime boss Harold Shand (Bob Hoskins), a gangster trying to become a legitimate property mogul, has big plans to get the American Mafia to bankroll his transformation of a derelict area of London into the possible venue for a future Olympic Games. However, a series of bombings targets his empire on the very weekend the Americans are in town. Shand is convinced there is a traitor in his organization, and sets out to eliminate the rat in typically ruthless fashion.

Director: John Mackenzie
Producer: Barry Hanson
Screenwriter: Barrie Keeffe
Distributor: Criterion Collection, Paragon Video, Embassy Pictures
Rating: R
Genre: Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 2, 1982, Wide
Release Date (DVD): Nov 24, 1998
Runtime: 1h 54m
Sound Mix: Mono

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