FemaleFirst.co.uk: DVD: The Firm (Special Edition) [DVD] [1988]

The Firm (Special Edition) [DVD] [1988]
enlarge	Director: Alan Clarke Actors: Gary Oldman, Lesley Manville, Phil Davis Studio: 2 Entertain Video Category: DVD List Price: ~~£15.99~~ Buy New: £4.97 as of 22/11/2009 00:00 GMT details You Save: £11.02 (69%) New (15) Used (3) Collectible (3) from £4.96 Seller: fastdvd2006 Rating: 8 reviews Sales Rank: 8266 Format: Full Screen, PAL, Special Edition Language: English (Original Language) Rating: Suitable for 18 years and over Region: 2 Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 Number Of Discs: 1 Running Time: 67 Minutes Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2 Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6 EAN: 5014503248420 ASIN: B000R343LC Theatrical Release Date: 1988 Release Date: September 10, 2007 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days


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Customer Reviews: Showing reviews 1-5 of 8 1 2 Next » Worth the extra few quid. March 27, 2008 Dead Ted Danson (Truth Or Consequences, New Mexicock) 15 out of 15 found this review helpful Finally, a decent DVD release for this classic of British cinema from back in the days where the BBC produced such quality teleplays on a regular basis. Preceding Shane Meadows and Danny Boyle, Alan Clarke was arguably Britain's most exciting and vital filmmaker, and surely its most controversial. The Firm is probably his best film, and sadly also his last, as he passed away while prepping a feature film in America. It showcases him at both his most focused and his most uncompromising, and probably presents as his most recognisable. His fascination with violence is at its most unflinching here, a progression from his previous film Elephant (inspiration for the Gus Van Sant film of the same name) which was comprised completely of murders and featured no dialogue. What's frightening about the violence in this film is that these men have decent jobs and family lives, and get into rucks because they like it, pure and simple. His trademark steadicam shots are in abundance too. In fact, practically the whole film is shot in this manner, painstaking work though it may have been for the poor cameraman! Save for a few close-ups, most of the film is presented with a kind of immediate closeness that really puts you right in the middle of things without getting involved, a bewildered onlooker unable to help. The Firm runs the gamut of negative emotions, from the fear for the safety of schoolboy Yusef as he runs from men twice his age to the guilty rush of adrenaline we feel as Bex and his boys head into battle. The cast is on top form here, with Gary Oldman in a career-best performance and his then-wife Lesley Manville excellent as a spouse almost as bad as her husband for putting up with his antics. The support is excellent as well, featuring appearances from about half the cast of Lock Stock, Corrie's Charles Lawson, Eastenders' Steve McFadden and Phil Davis as Oldman's rival Yeti, who himself would go into direct a film about football hooligans with 1995's I.D. br / br /Of course, the film couldn't have less to do with football. These men, as one character excellently sums up, "just like hitting people". They've built up rivalries based on ego and machismo rather than support of their local teams. In a sense they've failed to grow up, no more evident in Bex's frequenting his old bedroom in his parents' house, the walls adorned in football pictures long forgotten, to practice beating up his foes on a pillow, in a scene comical on paper, but chilling in execution. br / br /In short, the film is a masterpiece. As such, it deserves a wealth of extra features, and BBC has finally got their act together and put together a decent DVD package which focuses as much on the career of Clarke as it does on the film. The center attraction is a 1991 50-minute documentary covering his whole career, concise and informative and with input from Oldman and Ray Winstone, who have since become megastars due in large part to their roles in his films. Also featured is a short introduction, again from 1991 and presented by Clarke's friend and collaborator David Leland as part of that year's Alan Clarke season. A short featurette from around that time on football hooliganism serves to contextualise the film, while the controversy is covered in an episode of The Late Show originally broadcast the night after The Firm, bravely included as it deals with many of the criticisms of the film as well as its merits, much as the Fight Club DVD booklet did (another film which famously caused a bit of trouble for its depiction of violence, and those who practice it). Rounding out the set is an relaxed, informative and often funny commentary from Manville and Davis, as well as moderator Fiddy and Clarke biographer Dave Rollinson. The combination of actors with first-hand experience and an author with a extensive knowledge of Clarke's work really makes this track worth a listen. The set is packaged in a (supposedly limited edition) steelbook and features an 8-page booklet with some extra information on the making of the film not present on the DVD. The package satisfies on all fronts, save for the omission of several deleted scenes discussed on the commentary track, but like I started off saying, if you're considering getting The Firm, get this edition because once the film's over you will want to watch the extras. Then go and check out some of Clarke's other violence movies, like early Tim Roth showcase Made In Britain or the classic Scum. You won't be disappointed. Classic film. September 28, 2008 British Commentator (London, United Kingdom) 2 out of 3 found this review helpful This is far from dross, as one reviewer suggests! It is a classic drama, with strong characters and good acting. It is realistic, and exciting. I recommend it to all with an interest in football hooligans. The Original and Best "The Firm" October 4, 2009 DONJAUN (LONDON) This is a brilliant British film.Telling the real story behind football violence.The film is dominated by a superb performance by Gary Oldman as Bex an estate agent by day,the leader of a football firm by night.The script and cast are excellent Its 20 years old but it hasnt aged one bit.Essential viewing Great British Film September 1, 2008 hroc 4 out of 4 found this review helpful This is an excellent gritty British film about football hooligans. Gary Oldman is stunning as always in the lead playing a Top Boy in a London Firm, The ICC (ICF anyone?). The film goes against endless socialogical analysis of the deeper resons as to why men turn to football violence. Here the motivations are simple: they like a fight and the feeling of belonging to a group. While not as good as Alan Clarke's most famous film, the excellent 'Scum' this has a simlar mood and well worth a watch. It even as a cameo at the end from Phil Mitchell from Eastenders! That was WELL out of order October 5, 2009 The Grizzly Reviewer (Manchester) 1 out of 1 found this review helpful A truly gripping drama from the dark days of British football. The Firm is a bleak and powerful tale of Bexy (Gary Oldman) and his firm, the ICC and their rivilary with two other firms. After watching utter tosh like Green Street, this film, over 15 years it's senior and produced at a fraction of the cost, asks and answers far more questions about hooliganism than Elijah Wood and his "Green Street Elite" ever could. br / br /This film is not a comedy or a bunch of lads having a laugh, it's a nasty, horrible portrayl of the dark side of football culture and there is no redemption whatsoever. Alan Clarke makes a point of stripping hooliganism of a class and race and also to a large extent, football itself. The hooligans in the film aren't just mindless idiots. There are some truly chilling scenes, particularly involving the leaders of each firm, who you'd think would know better. It all culminates in a truly outstanding climax. The Firm is a really intelligent piece of film making and it rewards a repeat viewing as you can appreciate just how clever some scenes and shots really are. This is not Football Factory. br / br /Another good reason to hate it is because Gary Bushell was appalled by it. Showing reviews 1-5 of 8 1 2 Next »

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