Rent Get Carter (1971)

Classic Brit gangster film - highly recommended - Get Carter review by RP

Michael Caine plays Jack Carter, a London gangster who comes to Newcastle to investigate - and then avenge - the death of his brother. Caine's character is hard and uncompromising as he wreaks vengeance on all around. The only emotion he shows is when he sees what has been done to his niece (?daughter?).

With gritty locations, gritty characters and a gritty story, I remembered the film as shot in black and white. It is in fact in colour - but back and white is still how I see it, so bleak is the storyline.

The acting is excellent. It's certainly one of Caine's best roles, and the boss baddy (Kinnear) is well played by the renowned playwright John Osborne.

The film is now some 40 years old and yet it doesn't seem dated. Certainly there isn't the bloodiness of more recent gangster films, but the tension builds throughout helped by Caine's portrayal of a cold, relentless, ruthless man. The ending is unexpected (and I won't spoil it here), but well in keeping with the bleakness of the film.

'Get Carter' is a classic amongst British gangster films. 5/5 stars - highly recommended.

Get 'Get Carter' - Get Carter review by PLUTO

Unsurprisingly, this movie still feels up to date. Convincingly portrays the underbelly of society, heartless, utterly selfish, take what you want from other non-violent "softies", and give them a severe kicking if they objector resist.

amorality always disbelieves in having payback drop onto them. Carter's contempt hits back at him devastatingly.

Classic British Crime Film - Get Carter review by GI

Hailed as a masterpiece of British crime cinema this is a key 1970s film, a cult classic. Viewed today it might be a surprise at how impactive this film was when initially released. It's minimalistic, sudden and cold violence, it's delve into the criminal world of pornography and it's bleak and dreary visuals of northern England along with it's depictions of the life involving grubby pubs and betting shops were all very shocking at the time although much copied since. Additionally this is a surprising role for Michael Caine, a major star by the early 70s and here he was playing a thoroughly nasty gangster, and very brutal he is too. Jack Carter is an enforcer for a pair of London gangsters. Against their wishes he travels to Newcastle ostensibly for his brother's funeral but also to discover how he died as he suspects the death wasn't the car accident claimed by the authorities. Soon finding he has the unwarranted attention of local top criminals and pressured to return to London Jack goes on the rampage uncovering the truth behind his brother's death. With a great support cast including Ian Hendry (who coveted the lead role and lost out to Caine who he then resented) and playwright John Osborne along with a cameo from Britt Eckland, there's also a host of British character actors to spot too. There's no heroes in this film, it's a story about corruption and violence told through the eye of social drama, it remains a powerful film and one of Caine's most iconic roles. British cinema at its very best.