Top 10 Crime Films Exploring Class Divide

Description: Michael Caine stars as Jack Carter, a London gangster who returns to his hometown to investigate his brother's death, revealing the class tensions and corruption within the criminal underworld.

Fact: The film was remade in 2000 with Sylvester Stallone, but the original is often considered superior for its gritty realism.

Description: This British gangster film follows Harold Shand, a London mobster, as he tries to expand his empire while dealing with an IRA plot against him. It's a classic example of how class and crime intersect, with the upper echelons of crime clashing with political ideologies.

Fact: The film was originally intended to be a trilogy, but due to its success, it became a standalone feature. Bob Hoskins' performance as Harold Shand earned him a BAFTA nomination.

Description: Directed by Gary Oldman, this film paints a bleak picture of working-class life in South London, focusing on domestic violence and drug addiction, showing how poverty and crime are intertwined.

Fact: The film is semi-autobiographical, drawing from Oldman's own experiences growing up in London.

Description: Based on the true story of the 1971 Baker Street robbery, this film delves into the class divide as a group of small-time crooks plan to rob a bank, only to find themselves entangled in a web of political and royal intrigue.

Fact: The film was inspired by a real heist where the robbers reportedly found compromising photos of a member of the Royal Family.

Description: A retired gangster, now living the high life in Spain, is forced back into the criminal underworld by a ruthless London mobster. The film explores the class divide through the contrast between the luxurious retirement and the gritty, violent world of crime.

Fact: Ben Kingsley's portrayal of the menacing Don Logan was so intense that he reportedly scared his co-stars off-set.

Description: Set in the 1980s, this film follows a young man who joins a gang of British expats in Spain, exploring the class divide between the working-class Brits and the more affluent locals and tourists.

Fact: The film was shot on location in Spain, capturing the era's vibrant club scene and criminal underbelly.

Description: This film adaptation of the classic TV series follows a tough London police unit as they tackle crime, often crossing paths with the upper echelons of society, highlighting class differences in law enforcement.

Fact: The film's title is derived from the Cockney rhyming slang "Sweeney Todd" for "Flying Squad," the unit's nickname.

Description: This film explores the life of a football hooligan who rises through the ranks of his firm, showcasing the class divide between the working-class hooligans and the more affluent football fans.

Fact: The film is based on the novel by former football hooligan John King, offering an insider's look at the subculture.

Description: Daniel Craig stars as an unnamed drug dealer who wants to retire but is pulled into one last job that spirals out of control. The film showcases the stark contrast between the upper-class drug lords and the gritty street-level dealers, highlighting class differences in the criminal world.

Fact: The character of the protagonist was inspired by real-life London drug dealers, and the film's title refers to the different layers of the drug trade.

Description: This biographical crime drama tells the story of the notorious Kray twins, who rose from the East End of London to become major figures in the criminal underworld, highlighting the class dynamics of their rise and fall.

Fact: The film was shot on location in London, including the real-life haunts of the Krays.