From childhood's hour I have not been
As others were - I have not seen
As others saw - I could not bring
My passions from a common spring.
From the same source I have not taken
My sorrow; I could not awaken
My heart to joy at the same tone;
And all l lov'd, I lov'd alone.
Then in my childhood - in the dawn
Of a most stormy life was drawn -
From ev'ry depth of good and ill
The mystery which binds me still:
From the torrent or from the fountain,
From the red cliff of the mountain,
From the sun that 'round me roll'd
In its autumn tint of gold -
From the lightning in the sky
As it pass'd me flying by -
From the thunder and the storm,
And the cloud that took the form
(when the rest of heaven was blue)
Of a demon in my view.

('Alone' - Edgar Alan Poe)

Reviews

"The Krays, pricked the glamorous facade to show the truth: the movie painted a portrait of two sexually inadequate and emotionally disturbed sadists who were unable to form relationships outside their immediate family unit. (Chris Hastings August 2000 theage.com.au)

"The Krays was perhaps the last British gangster flick of the pre-Tarantino age. While it was guilty of excessive East End clichedom (Billie Whitelaw spent two-thirds of the proceedings scrubbing her doorstep and moaning about the war), it was a genuine attempt to dissect the strange inner workings of two legendary psychopaths. What's refreshing about watching it now is that Gary and Martin Kemp's Kray twins are rather uncharismatic. The former new romantics were brooding and awe-inspiring but lacked the sparkling brashness possessed by Nick Moran in Lock, Stock or Jonny Lee Miller in Love, Honour and Obey. Deep down, one suspects that your average east end thug is far more likely to match the monosyllabic moodiness of the Kemps than the stand-up comic abilities of their gangster film successors." (Sam Delaney The Guardian - April 28, 2000)

"The ingenious casting of Spandau Ballet brothers Martin and Gary Kemp (bona fide Eastenders themselves) as the brothers-in-crime is pivotal to the success of the movie. Director Peter Medak opts not to make a catalogue of stabbings, garrotings and bloodletting, but explores the twisted mentality and the psychic connection between the twins to eerie effect. Throw in a rabid Steven Berkoff as rival gang lord George Cornell, and you've got a chilling glimpse into a world that may well be lying dormant instead of extinct..." (Virgin Movies August 1999)

"The Krays, the 1990 film directed by Peter Medak, for example explored similar turf to Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. It was in no way a great film, but it at least tried to address the background of its subjects and how they came to be what they were." (Robert Stevens World Socialist Website September 1998)

With its taut suspense and dense psychological portraits, this is ideal for mafia film lovers and art-house aficionados seeking complex, hard-hitting viewing." (Reel.com)

"Gary and Martin Kemp, of the '80s pop group Spandau Ballet, are surprisingly powerful as, respectively, Ron and Reg, playing the pair with icy charisma, explosive menace, and fresh characterization. (Ron's moll is a bloke; Reg is a tender yet smothering husband.) But the lads' mother, Violet, is an even more formidable figure than her offspring. As played by Billie Whitelaw, she gives chilly credence to the old saying that the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world. Be afraid, be very afraid." - Heather Joslyn (The City Paper)

"The genius of "The Krays," Peter Medak's new film about the most notorious villains of modern British crime, is that the movie is not simply a catalog of stabbings, garrotings and bloodletting. It goes deeper than into the twisted pathology of twins whose faces would light up with joy when their mom told them they looked just like proper gentlemen.... In the film, the Krays are played by brothers, Gary and Martin Kemp, whose sleek, good looks seem right at home in expensive suits and polished shoes. Their performances suggest an eerie quality to the twins - the notion that they are never entirely offstage, that everything they say is for effect, sometimes ironic effect, and that they are never more dangerous than when their oily politeness is on display." (Roger Ebert Chicago-Sun Times)

Reviews are copyright of their source. No copyright infringement is intended.

Quotes

"The movie brought us [Gary and Martin] closer than we'd ever been. It was the first time we stood on even ground. It was a nice springboard for me and everyone said, 'Come on over to Hollywood. The opportunities are massive.' I'd been in a very successful rock band with red carpets wherever I went, and next minute I was queuing at casting sessions with 30 others. I didn't have to be there, but it was the path I chose because I wanted to act." - Martin Kemp on The Krays and his new career of acting (Radio Times Andrew Duncan interview, 2000)

"I've never had a fight in my life. I've had plenty of arguments with my brother Gary, but I'm not violent.... I don't hero-worship anyone. I hate anyone who condones any kind of gratuitous violence.... We showed the Krays in their true light. The violence was really heavy and sick. It wasn't sugar-coated violence, like in Lethal Weapon." - Martin Kemp on violence and The Krays (Daily Record, 1999)

The Krays Cast

Dedicated to those cast and crew members of The Krays who have since passed away.

Ever watched a film and wonder where you've seen that actor/actress before? We hope this page informs you of just where you've seen certain cast members of The Krays before. Click on the actor/actress of interest to you.

Billie Whitelaw .... Violet Kray
Tom Bell .... Jack "The Hat" McVitie
Gary Kemp .... Ronald Kray
Martin Kemp .... Reggie Kray
Susan Fleetwood .... Rose
Charlotte Cornwell .... May
Kate Hardie .... Frances
Avis Bunnage .... Helen
Alfred Lynch .... Charlie Kray
Gary Love .... Steve
Steven Berkoff .... George Cornell
Jimmy Jewel .... Cannonball Lee
Barbara Ferris .... Mrs. Lawson
Victor Spinetti .... Mr. Lawson
John McEnery .... Eddie Pellam

Peter Medak .... Director
Michael Kamen .... Soundtrack

BILLIE WHITELAW - VIOLET KRAY

Well where do we start? Billie (and we don't mean the pop star) is a well established actress who made her name in theatre, and is often seen playing strong-headed independent women - as she does in The Krays. Other film productions she has been in include The Omen, James Ivory's, Maurice (which starred a then unknown Hugh Grant), and the 1996 adaption of Jane Eyre starring Willam Hurt. Billie can also be spotted in many TV film productions that include Dixon of Dock Green, A Tale of Two Cities, Merlin, and most recently Catherine Cookson's A Dinner of Herbs.

Want the full filmography? Click here!

TOM BELL - JACK "THE HAT" MC.VITIE

Tom was in Peter "The Krays" Mendak's 1991 film Let Him Have It, and Daniel Day Lewis' The Boxer. You've also seen him as DS Bill Otley in Prime Suspect, and Prime Suspect 3. He's also popped up in episodes of TV series such as The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles, Dangerfield, and Daziel and Pascoe.

Want the full filmography? Click here!

SUSAN FLEETWOOD - AUNT ROSE

Her other films include Clash of the Titans, but did you know her brother is drummer Mick of Fleetwood Mac! Susan has popped up in 80s TV shows such as Bergerac and Lovejoy, and 90s TV series, Cadfael.

CHARLOTTE CORNWELL - MAY

Like Susan, Charlotte appeared in an episode of Lovejoy, and like Susan Charlotte has another famous family member - she is the sister to author John Le Carr! Her latest work was the film The Saint with Val Kilmer, in which she played Inspector Rabineau.

KATE HARDIE - FRANCIS

Before starring in The Krays, Kate starred in an episode of the TV series Boon and various less known films. Since The Krays Kate has appeared in Richard E Grant's Jack & Sarah, and The Announcement which also stars Mark "The Full Monty" Addy, and David Baddiel. She is also the daughter to a certain Bill Oddie.

AVIS BUNNAGE - HELEN

The Krays was Avis' last film before her death on October 4, 1990. She also appeared in films such as To Sir With Love, Ghandi and No Surrender. She made an appearance in Inspector Morse back in 1987.

ALFRED LYNCH - CHARLIE KRAY

Alfred has appeared in many 80s TV series such as Doctor Who, - and what seems to be popular with The Krays cast - Bergerac, Boon, and Lovejoy. He has also starred in various lesser known films.

GARY LOVE - STEVE

Gary was Sergeant Tony Wilton in the TV series Soldier Soldier for three years between 1991 and 1994. He also made an appearance in Casualty in the 80s. The year 2000 saw him back in films which include Paranoid, and the Sean "Sharpe" Bean and Alex "ER" Kingston film Essex Boys.

STEVEN BERKOFF - GEORGE CORNELL

Before The Krays, Steven played a constable in Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange, and also appeared in Octopussy, Beverly Hills Cop, and Rambo: First Blood Part II amongst others. He wrote, directed and starred in 1994's Decadence, which starred Joan Collins and Michael Winner. More recently he appeared in Love in Paris, Doppelganger, and Rancid Aluminium. and helped front "Television, it's evolving" Freeview campaign for the BBC. In 2002 he recited poetry in rememberence of the September 11 terrorist attacks on America at the Edinburgh Film Festival

JIMMY JEWEL - CANNONBALL LEE

Jimmy appeared in more films before The Krays than after, which includes 1949's What A Carry On! TV series credits include the ever popular Lovejoy, and Casualty, as well as the recently ended and much loved TV comedy series, One Foot in the Grave. He sadly passed away in December 1995.

BARBARA FERRIS - MRS. LAWSON

Barbara has tended to appear in films rather than TV series, with the exception of TV series All In Good Faith. Her films include, Tom Thumb, and Children of the Damned.

VICTOR SPINETTI - MR. LAWSON

Victor is probably most well known for playing the TV Director in Richard Lester's musical film of the band The Beatles, A Hard Day's Night. He also appeared in 1964's Help!, and The Return of the Pink Panther amongst others. His TV appearances include Bottom, and The Paul Merton Series. He also voiced a TV production of The Secret Garden.

JOHN MC.ENRY - EDDIE PELLAM

TV appearances include the popular with The Krays cast - Boon, as well as Peak Practice. He has also appeared in many TV films and the TV series Our Mutual Friend. You will have seen him in Hamlet alongside the likes of Mel Gibson, Glenn Close, and Paul Schofield. He more recently appeared in two Sean Bean films: Black Beauty playing Mr. York, and When Saturday Comes playing Joe Muir.

PETER MEDAK - DIRECTOR

Well your not likely to have "seen" Peter in much except for Beverly Hills Cop III in which played the "man at the corner". However Peter has directed many many TV series' that you will have heard of. These include, The Professionals, Remington Steele, Fairie Tale Theatre, The Twilight Zone, Tales From The Crypt (one episode starred a certain Martin Kemp - though not the one he directed), and Homicide: Life on the Street. His other films include Let Him Have It (which starred Tom "Jack the Hat Mc.Vitie" Bell), Romeo Is Bleeding (with Gary Oldman), and Species II.

MICHAEL KAMEN - SOUNDTRACK

Well you may not know the name but unless you have being living in a hole for the last 20 years you are certain to have heard his film scores and sung some of his songs. His film credits include the likes of the entire Lethal Weapon and Die Hard series, Mr. Holland's Opus, James Bond: License To Kill, Jack, What Dreams May Come, Frequency, and The X-Men. Michael is also responsible for the lyrics of that Bryan Adams song that's yet to be beaten for the longest time at No.1 in the UK Charts (16 weeks), Everything I Do (I Do It For You) as well as, Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman, All For Love, and Sting's, It's Probably Me. Such achievements resulted in Michael earning an award for Outstanding Achievement in Music in Film at the 4th Annual Hollywood Festival. Kamen passed away in November 2003.