Rent Rise of the Footsoldier (2007)
3.4 of 5 from 101 ratings
1h 54min
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
Hooligan. Gangster. Legend. This British crime epic charts the inexorable rise of Carlton Leach from one of the most feared generals of the football terraces to becoming a member of a notorious gang of criminals who rampaged their way through London and Essex in the late eighties and early nineties. The story spans three decades: from football hooliganism through to his burgeoning career as a bouncer, his involvement in the criminal aspects of the early ‘rave’ scene and subsequently to his rise to power as one of the most feared and respected criminals in the country. As his notoriety increased, Leach became entwined in a violent series of events, which culminated in the Rettendon Range Rover murders of 1995, one of the most infamous staying in British Gangland history. This is his history. - Actors:
- Rikki Harnet, Terry Stone, Craig Fairbrass, Roland Manookian, Coralie Rose, Neil Maskell, Billy Murray, Ian Virgo, Kierston Wareing, Patrick Regis, Lara Belmont, Emily Beecham, Andy Linden, Frank Harper, Jason Maza, Mark Killeen, Dave Legeno, Dhaffer L'Abidine, Mitchell Lewis, Eden Ford
- Directors:
- Julian Gilbey
- Writers:
- Julian Gilbey, Will Gilbey
- Studio:
- Optimum
- Genres:
- British Films, Action & Adventure, Drama, Thrillers
- Countries:
- UK
- BBFC:
- Release Date:
- 24/12/2007
- Run Time:
- 114 minutes
- Languages:
- English
- Subtitles:
- None
- DVD Regions:
- Region 2
- Formats:
- Pal
- Aspect Ratio:
- Widescreen 1.85:1
- Colour:
- Colour
- BBFC:
- Release Date:
- 29/09/2008
- Run Time:
- 118 minutes
- Languages:
- English
- Subtitles:
- None
- DVD Regions:
- Region 2
- Formats:
- Pal
- Aspect Ratio:
- Widescreen 1.85:1
- Colour:
- Colour
- Bonus:
- Commentary With Director Julian Gilbey And Writer William Gilbey
- Filming The Footsoldier: The Making Of Rise Of The Footsoldier (77Mins)
- Interview With Carlton Leach
- Deleted And Extended Scenes
- Auditions
- Out-Takes
- Image Gallery
- Trailer
Rent other films like Rise of the Footsoldier
Found in these customers lists
441 films by nobby
Reviews (2) of Rise of the Footsoldier
Starts with the most brutally realistic football fight scenes you'll see - otherwise run-of-the-mill - Rise of the Footsoldier review by RP
For some unknown reason, I re-watched this the other night. It's at best run-of-the-mill, but it is one of the better 'Essex gangster' films dealing with the events around what are known as the Rettendon murders (look 'em up on Wikipedia). It's not a great film, so why I watched it again I'm really not sure...
The film is adapted from the autobiography of one Carlton Leach and is told in a pseudo-documentary style, with voiceover commentary from the actor playing Leach. He started his career of violence in the 1980s on the terraces of West Ham, as one of the hooligan members of the notorious InterCity Firm, so called because they took the regular train to away matches, where they met rival firms (=hooligan gangs) from the opposing team for brutal punch-ups.
He graduated from that to running a firm of club doormen, then to other 'muscle' jobs, to drug using, to drug wholesaling, fell in with Essex gang leaders, finally being on the inside track to knowing the truth (?) behind the Rettendon murders. The film shows three possible scenarios for the killings, one of which was that used to convict two men of the murders.
A couple of well known 'hard man' actors (Craig Fairbrass, Billy Murray) get parts.
It's not a great film, but the first 15 minutes dealing with football hooligans does have some of the most brutally realistic fight scenes that I've seen on screen - it makes other films dealing with the 1980s hooligan firms look like kids' stuff.
I'll give it 2/5 stars, then raise it to 3 stars because of the dreadfully realistic first 15 minutes.
2 out of 2 members found this review helpful.
where have i seen before - Rise of the Footsoldier review by CP Customer
reminded me of essex boys
0 out of 2 members found this review helpful.