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Bookmark this pageRise of the Foot Soldier (2007)
Director: Julian Gilbey
Movie review
From Time Out London
A repugnant gangland romp in which a group of Neanderthalic, perpetually gurning ruffians get tooled up with axe handles, baseball bats and Stanley knives then knock ten bells out of each other for just shy of two hours. Based on a true story, the ‘Rise’ of the title refers to the ‘meteoric’ ascent of mockney street tough, Carlton Leach (Ricci Harnett), from middle-rung football hooligan to, er, club doorman. Leach is then unceremoniously swept aside as the film hastily attempts to give the Rettendon Range Rover murders a once-over in its scrappy second half. There is fun to be had deconstructing writer-director Julian Gilbey’s laughable join-the-dots yob patois, as every sentence seems to start with an, ‘I’m gonna fackin’…’ or ‘You fackin’…’ or, on occasion, ‘So then I only went an’ fackin’…’, typically concluded with a mandatory ‘caaaant!’ The direction, too, smacks of sadism, especially the obvious glee Gilbey gets from filming violent scenes in close-up and, in the case of the bloody shotgun-to-the-face denouement, in triplicate.Author: David Jenkins
Time Out London Issue 1933: September 5-11 2007
User reviews of this film
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- Swampmoose Hammer said...
- Posted on Sep 21 2008 15:07 To the previous sender, who seems to delight in denigrating those people who enjoyed this hard-hitting, Brit gangster flick as unicellular organisms, I must ask: “Actually how far up your own arsehole are you?” Consequently, it more than makes sense to categorise you under sub-amoebic life-forms (pre-primordial-soup variety). The mere fact that Jenkins took pleasure in “deconstructing Julian Gilbey’s laughable….patois” demonstrates how detached and incongruous such puffed-up mentalities are when it comes to reviewing films of this genre. There was virtually no objectivity in his critique and it’s all too easy to visualise him - and you, it would seem – grimacing in revulsion at every expletive and spill of claret. So, on that note I shall reciprocate and advise that you “ ‘faackin’ do one’……………you caaant!”
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- Rick said...
- Posted on Sep 18 2008 23:00 Why does it not surprise me that most of the positive reviews of this film seem to appear from the very single cell lifefrom, hooligan dickheads the film is depicting - and seeing as most of you describe anyone who degenerates the film as middle class, arty tossers, I am perfectly qualified to make this generalization. Just becasue someone who doesn't like violent, gritty British ganster/hooligan films gives one a bad review (FYI, David Jenkins doesn't have the option of not watching the movie. He HAS to watch the movie and give his honest opinion on it - it's like, his job) doesn't mean there out of touch with the reality of life on our streets. Now I realise I've used quite a lot of big, middle class, fancy words here, so let me close by saying something in a language you idiots will understand - Fuck off you fuckin' caaants!
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- Swampmoose Hammer said...
- Posted on Sep 10 2008 09:24 What did Time Out's David Jenkins expect from this movie? The waxing of Shakespearean prose climaxing in a rose-tinted, heart-warming conclusion perhaps? A spirited debate on the rebirth of Terrace Warfare and the Essex Underworld maybe? It makes me laugh when puffed up 'critics' joyfully dissect this kind of movie as if the director had intended to weave an intricate, burgeoning plot rather than portray a straight forward, often violent lifestyle. Might I suggest Mr. Jenkins remove head from anus, stop over-analysing things and stick to reviewing Period Drama adaptations.
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- Tarquin Gribblethrash said...
- Posted on Sep 10 2008 08:07 Well put Jamie. You summed it up in fewer words than I managed. Since seeing the movie I’ve read Bernard O’Mahoney’s account of Carlton Leach and the Rettendon Slayings and I've just upped my rating for '...Foot Soldier' to 4 stars (and rising). Continuing the topic, I loved Green Street but still haven't seen Football Factory, Shiner or Gangster No.1 but they'll need to 'go some' to topple this movie. (By the way, re. my previous post, ‘meance’ should have read ‘menace’; and being an astute operator, you probably realised that T. Gribblethrash is not my real name - best regards, Valentino Barabus-Jenks IV)
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- jamie said...
- Posted on Sep 09 2008 17:07 unfortunatly the snobs of this world will alwyas hate a movie like this as it depicts what happens in worst case scenario working class lives, best leave them to sip on their tea and crumpets while watching atonement, i personally will stick to me, my mates and a beer. good day.
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- Tarquin Gribblethrash said...
- Posted on Sep 06 2008 08:46 Well folks, this was never going to be a positive one for the critics, was it now!? For those, like me, who expected a full-on, violent, expletive-laden blast - - - mission accomplished. It's quite humorous and ridiculous to imagine a professional reviewer mulling over the frequent utterances of 'faack orff!' and 'you faackin' caant!' and saying ".....mmmm! This really does give the picture invigoration and substance - the characters simply spring out of the screen!" That's why I always make my own judgements. Only YOU know when a film bombs and when it doesn't. For me, the inclusions of Billy Murray and Craig Fairbrass were good choices (was Pat Tate really that crazy?). Protagonist Ricci Harnett was convincing enough. Not a subtle, crafted flick by any means but I'd give it a good 3 stars for meance, pace and sheer energy.
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- Frankie said...
- Posted on Aug 17 2008 23:37 I'm sorry but the critic that wrote this review is absolutely clueless, in my opinion this was one of the best movies i've ever seen, and really represented how harsh shit can be. Absolutely amazing film, i've watched it 30+ times
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- Chris said...
- Posted on Jul 29 2008 15:22 I think the film was very very poor and glamourised a thug nature that existed and should be forgot. I fail to see in many ways why carlton would want to link his film to the rettendon murders and offer an unofficial view of what happened. Disappointed
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- Dave said...
- Posted on Jul 19 2008 18:14 brilliant, truly capitivating and authentic movie, the best i've seen in the Britiish gangster genre, the time out film critic is a total w****** who should really seriously look around for some other tpye of work as if he can't see this one is a cracker there's something wrong with him. Well done Gilbey and co ...
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- kalpesh said...
- Posted on Jul 13 2008 20:51 IM GUNNA WATCH IT AGAIN IT WAS A DRUGLORD THUG MOVIE( REAL GANGSTERS)
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- Andrew said...
- Posted on Jun 30 2008 14:29 I actually thought this was a really good movie. Only bad thing was towards the end, it made no sense.
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- Inkech said...
- Posted on Jun 25 2008 16:48 This is as good as Godfather II and Goodfellas! Unbelievably accurate with a Clockwork Orange flavour, Violence has a profound social meaning.. Totally amazing. Shows to prove that film critics don't know a good film when they see one.
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- Dwayne Dibly said...
- Posted on Jun 23 2008 20:17 only a twat would rate this 1 out of 5! Amazing film
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- Knut Lovhoiden said...
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Posted on Jun 23 2008 02:37
i liked this movie because it did a good job at protraying the violent life that dude lived...
i like very realistice movies if they're based on true stories...
some parts were a little over done (shotgun-to-the-face pic, guy nailed to da floor, dude beating the shit outa his wife) but otherwise this is one of my top movies next to blood diamond and munich - Report as inappropriate
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- not my name duh said...
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Posted on Jun 19 2008 23:53
if u dnt like bloood do not watch this film lol the story s very gripping and exciting however it is extremely graphic and those on the squeemish side shud hav a pillow handy
i thought the level of violence was unecersary but stiil enjoyed the bits o the film i watched whilst not trying to block out the scream in horror - Report as inappropriate
Cast & crew
Director: Julian Gilbey
Cast: Ricci Harnett, Terry Stone, Craig Fairbrass, Roland Manookian, Frank Harper, Billy Murray, Neil Maskell, Ian Virgo, Coralie Rose, Dave Legeno, Emily Beecham, Lara Belmont full cast
Genre(s): Action/Adventure
Rated: 18
Duration: 114 mins
UK Release: Sep 7 2007
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