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| Special Features: |
Making-of Featurette
Deleted Scenes
Audio Commentary with Director McMuigan
Trailer
TV spot
Widescreen and full screen versions |
| Video Format: |
Anamorphic Widescreen (1.85:1)
Full Frame Pan and Scan
[SS-DL]
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| Languages: |
English (Dolby Digital 5.1)
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| Subtitles: |
English, Spanish,
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| Captions: |
Yes
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| Casing: |
1-Disc Snap Case
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Freddie Mays (David Thewlis) is London's top dog Gangster in the 1960s. When Freddie calls you, you feel lucky. Freddie takes on a young jobber (Paul Bettany), an ambitious young blonde kid from the streets. What he doesn't realize is that he hires the most ruthless man for the job. One day, Freddie does the one thing that a man in his line work should not do, decides to get married. This makes him weak. "Gangster No. 1" is a fascinating film which outlines the rise of a mob boss; focusing on the psyche of a young man bent and hell-bound to get what he wants.
The film is full of above par performances. Malcolm McDowell's performance was great as 'Gangster 55', the adult version of Paul Bettany's character. McDowell's voice over is a stand out that remains with you long after you've watched the film. Paul Bettany gives a star making performance in this movie, as the ruthless younger version of 'Gangster 55' during the rise of his empire.
From the plot to the many sub plots, "Gangster No. 1" has a lot going for it. This film contains some of the best visuals from a director in a long time. There is an extended murder scene shot from the P.O.V. of the victim that is almost too disturbing to watch. Director Paul McGuigan has you hoping the victim will pass out. When the victim's eyes close the screen turns black. You almost want them to stay closed so you don't have to endure the brutal scene.
I enjoyed "Gangster No. 1" on many different levels, and I'd recommend it in a heart beat. "Gangster No. 1" has the heavy British accentthing going on. Until you adjust your American ears you might get a little lost, but once you find the film, it won't lose you.
Great movie, fair picture, great sound, fair extras. Worth it for the movie alone.
Picture Quality: 6/10
Picture was a little grainy. The film stock had not been color cleaned, but you don't miss any images. I could have watched this movie in black and white and still loved it.
Sound Quality: 8/10
Other than the fact that you're having to break through thick British accents the sound is good. When Mcdowell is at the top of the building screaming out, "I'm number one" to the city below him you hear it, and it rings through your head.
Menu: 6/10
OK design. Easy to navigate. It gets you to the play movie button, and that's the most important thing.
Extra Features: 5/10
Thereis a small but noteworthy "Making of" featurette, which gives you some insight into the behind the scenes of the film. The deleted scenes are where they belong, out of the finished film. The commentary track is interesting. Some nice stories about the actors. You will buy this DVD for the movie.
The Final Word:
The Final word is good. Really good. The director and the cast did an amazing job of putting this story together. It stings when you watched it. It has a style all of it's own. I loved the visuals, I loved the acting, and the story was pretty good too.
JEREMY BENSON
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