[diebitter]

Please wipe the Stallone remake from your mind, this is the 1971 original we're talking about. I know I've already said that in the title, but it bears repeating.


Okay, there's been some badasses in cinema - The Man with No Name, Lee Marvin in all sorts of things, Maximus, Bruce Lee, Jules Winfield, Connery's Bond, Hannibal Lector, Pesci in Scorcese films, and so on - but they all pale compared to Jack Carter. This guy has 'cold-hearted killer' all the way through, like a stick of Brighton Rock.


He's back in town, finding out what happened behind his brother's death. He works alone, is ruthless and efficient, and gets to the bottom of what happened. And then takes his revenge, cold as you can get, only showing emotion (anger, what else?) as he's just found out an awful truth about events (and it's an anger even he can't control), and when finishing the job.


Simple plot, huh? Michael Caine is exceptional here. He's already done some great roles as a lover (Alfie) and a fun guy (Italian Job) at this point in his career, but here he is the absolute master as Carter, as cold and scary as you'll ever see. He doesn't threaten, and stands there, face blank, if people bs him, threaten him, cajole him or bluff him. But when he acts, there's no way you can see it coming from his expression (he does say 'behave yourself' to one blustering fool at one point - I'll give him that), and when he does act, it's quick, highly destructive violence.

Examples: A 'relatively' innocent woman is locked in his boot, and his parked car gets knocked into the river - she's obviously going to drown. He doesn't change his expression.
Guys come for him - he marches them out into a public street with a shotgun, completely naked. Doesn't give a toss.

This is a very drab, relentless, and thoroughly English film, so make sure you know what you're getting into with it, and in the opinion of this reviewer, top of the tree of gangster films.


One caveat - I doubt very much women will like this film at all.


If you've never seen this - see it, quick. If you have, I think you're probably wanting to see it again.

OVERALL: 4 1/2 out of 5 (4 == 'see it very soon'!)


Opinions/comments/arguments please, especially if you violently agree or disagree.