Hard Men

October. 28,1996      
Rating:
5.7
Trailer Synopsis Cast

British Gangster film with a tongue-in-cheek approach to the genre, including a part played by 'Mad' Frankie Fraser. When Tone's ex girlfriend resurfaces with a daughter he never knew he had, he moves from the world of blackmail, extortion and the occasional hit into the realm of nappies and lullabies. His pals, Speed and Bear, feel let down, but his employer Pops Den is furious and decides the best thing to do is wipe Tone out...but who will do it...and at what price?

Vincent Regan as  Tone
Lee Ross as  Speed
Ross Boatman as  Bear
Frankie Fraser as  Pops Den (as 'Mad' Frankie Fraser)
Ken Campbell as  Mr Ross
Dallas Adams as  Maltese's Boyfriend
Mirella D'Angelo as  Chantal
Nadio Fortune as  Beggo
Roger Griffiths as  Lenny
Finola Geraghty as  Buddha's Assistant

Reviews

Cubussoli
1996/10/28

Very very predictable, including the post credit scene !!!

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Odelecol
1996/10/29

Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.

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Nicole
1996/10/30

I enjoyed watching this film and would recommend other to give it a try , (as I am) but this movie, although enjoyable to watch due to the better than average acting fails to add anything new to its storyline that is all too familiar to these types of movies.

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Zlatica
1996/10/31

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

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hacenea
1996/11/01

Dark, funny, inventive, sly. Loved the style, actors and overall atmosphere. Looks like that viewers who didn't like the film didn't get the very dark, dry sense of humour. Made way before Lock Stock, it's the Godfather of British gangster flicks made in the Cool Britannia era! Watch and enjoy! It's the "business"!

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Kristian UK
1996/11/02

I watched this film expecting it to be bad. The title was off putting and I reluctantly let my friend hire it from the video shop.I have to say, I loved it. For me, Hard Men isn't trying to be like a Tarantino film. It has a dreamlike quality and has the feel of a Sci Fi black comedy rather than a gangster film. The world in this film is definitely not this world.If you liked Clockwork Orange, Gangster number one, Fight club, Resurrection man, or Twin town, then watch this because you'll either love it or hate it

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kcfan-3
1996/11/03

One of the reviewers on the Imdb page was right...you will either love this film or hate it. I loved it.J K Amalou's directorial debut is a very underrated piece of filmmaking. He pays homage to various similar films of the same genre, and delivers a thought provoking, funny and dark film that, for me, gives hope to the future of British cinema. The main character is Tone, who wants to leave "the life" for domestic tranquility after 15 years of cracking heads and busting jaws for Pops Den, the underworld boss who is "past it". Along for the ride are his two colleagues and friends, Bear and Speed (the latter brilliantly played by the versatile Lee Ross).Of course, the powers that be decide that Tone should be killed, and it's up to Bear and Speed to do it. As proof, Pops Den wants Tone's severed hand on his desk by 9am the following morning. And so, we are taken on a whirlwind of a night through East London with the boys struggling against their moral consciences, while Tone looks forward to a life with his girlfriend and new baby.There are pieces of genius in this movie. There is a memorable scene in a brothel where a disillusioned twenty year old prostitute tells her life story with violent consequences, and one can't help but be touched when, in front of his macho colleagues, Tone sings a gentle lullaby to his baby daughter over his mobile phone.All in all, Hard Men was overlooked and ignored by the British filmgoing public. This is a shame because, while not in the same class as The Long Good Friday, it definitely gives the likes of Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels a good run for its money.

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addick-2
1996/11/04

No, I am not joking, this truly is an inspiration to all aspiring screenwriters and film-makers. Frankly if someone can be pursuaded to stump up money for this sorry mess of a film then surely you can do better. The most amazing thing about this film is that somebody, presumably having read the script, actually gave it the green light. To list its weaknesses would need more than the 1000 words allowed by the IMDB. Still it did give me the opportunity to stand next to Mad Frankie Fraser at the London Film Festival and notice how small he was. Mind you I would never say that to his face.

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