Top 10 Films About the Criminal Underworld

Description: A violent East End gangster hides out in the home of a reclusive rock star, leading to a surreal exploration of identity and the criminal psyche. It's an experimental film that blurs the lines between reality and performance.

Fact: The film was banned by Warner Bros. for two years due to its explicit content and was only released after significant editing.

Description: Michael Caine stars as Jack Carter, a London gangster who returns to his hometown to investigate his brother's death, leading him into a web of corruption and crime. It's a gritty, revenge-driven narrative.

Fact: The film was remade in 2000 with Sylvester Stallone, but the original is considered a classic of British cinema.

Description: This British gangster film follows Harold Shand, a London mobster, as he tries to expand his empire while dealing with a mysterious threat. It's a classic depiction of the British criminal scene with its political and economic undertones.

Fact: The film was initially banned by the BBC for its portrayal of IRA involvement in crime. Bob Hoskins was nominated for a BAFTA for his role as Harold Shand.

Description: An aging British criminal travels to Los Angeles to avenge his daughter's death, uncovering a web of deceit and corruption. The film is noted for its non-linear storytelling and Terence Stamp's performance.

Fact: The film's narrative structure was inspired by the editing techniques of Jean-Luc Godard.

Description: Based on the true story of the 1971 Baker Street robbery, this film follows a group of small-time crooks who plan to rob a bank, only to find themselves entangled in a much larger conspiracy.

Fact: The film's plot was inspired by a real event, but many details were changed or invented for dramatic purposes.

Description: A retired gangster living in Spain is forced back into the criminal world by a menacing former associate. The film is known for its intense performances and the portrayal of the psychological toll of a life in crime.

Fact: Ray Winstone's performance as Gal Dove was critically acclaimed, and Ben Kingsley's portrayal of Don Logan earned him an Academy Award nomination.

Description: Another Guy Ritchie film, this one follows multiple intersecting storylines involving boxing, diamond theft, and a stolen dog, all set in the criminal underworld of London.

Fact: Brad Pitt's character, Mickey O'Neil, speaks in an unintelligible Irish accent, which was a deliberate choice to add to the character's mystique.

Description: A successful cocaine dealer wants out of the business, but his plans are complicated by a series of events involving a missing drug shipment and a kidnapping. It's a stylish and intelligent look at the drug trade.

Fact: Daniel Craig was cast as the lead, which helped him land the role of James Bond. The film's title refers to the various layers of the criminal underworld.

Description: This biographical crime drama tells the story of the notorious Kray twins, Ronnie and Reggie, who ruled the London underworld in the 1960s. It provides a chilling insight into their rise and fall.

Fact: The film was shot on location in London, including at the real-life Blind Beggar pub where one of the Krays' murders took place.

Description: Guy Ritchie's debut feature is a fast-paced, darkly comedic tale of four friends who get into deep trouble with a local gangster after a card game goes wrong. It's a quintessential British crime caper.

Fact: The film was made on a budget of just £960,000 and grossed over £28 million worldwide. It helped launch the careers of several actors including Jason Statham.