In A Very British Gangster, world-renowned, award-winning BBC journalist Donal MacIntyre dives into Manchester's underworld, revealing Britain's most notorious and powerful crime family--the Noonan dynasty. With surprising... more » chivalry, Dominic Noonan answers to his poverty-stricken streets while lurking from trial to trial, dodging arrest on a slew of serious criminal charges. Dominic's 10-year-old son, Bugsy, wants none of the prestige his father holds, and his candid confessions of boxing dreams--hopeful words from the child of a very violent man--are heart-wrenching. DVD Features: Deleted Scenes.« less
"Despite being an American, I'm very interested in England and am a bit of an Anglophile so I generally gravitate towards the country's films. A Very British Gangster was an exceptional documentary that revealed the full complexity of a man whose life seems to have already been decided. We discover at the end of it that he is going back to jail but his attitude and everything about his character suggest that his final destination is a foregone conclusion. The police follow him everywhere and it's quite likely that the filmmaker was not the only individual who recorded many of these conversations. What we find most is that Dominic Noonan is, in many ways, a normal man with a variety of relationships and concerns that must be negotiated. Most of his criminality is merely hinted at here, but it seems very unlikely that--even if he is re-released--he will conjure up the will to change his life. This is an endearing and well-crafted portrait of a doomed man."
A unique inside look
Bradley F. Smith | Miami Beach, FL | 03/27/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"There's a real disconnect here between the violent lives led by the gangsters in this documentary and their seemingly benign personalities as depicted in the film. It's difficult to believe that the head gangster is as vicious as he is portrayed. Also, why would he allow a film crew in to see all that he does? There are seeming confessions to certain types of lawless bahaviour, so this was reckless of the gangsters involved. Still, you'll get a real look at the tawdry side of British criminal life. The characters all seem to be nearly subhuman in their criminality. A great piece of work."
A very Big Ego
Stephen D. Doherty | Mpls, MN | 01/04/2010
(2 out of 5 stars)
"While this was a well made documentary, I found the story less then impressive. If I wanted to listen to a criminal brag about how great they were I would just watch COPS."
This is a comedy, not a documentary.
Smooth | New York, NY | 05/31/2010
(1 out of 5 stars)
"The premise of this documentary could honestly be turned into a comedic masterpiece. The homosexual british gangster who arrogantly preaches his illegal activities to the world, going around and solving petty issues with his "hard" crew of neighborhood teenagers. Why would he ever agree to make this movie? He's a retard, that's why. The real gangsters don't need to open their mouths in order to attain the respect of those around them. This moron constantly runs his mouth so that he can prove to his community that he's a "gangster" not to be reckoned with. Within the first 10 minutes you realize he's not really much of a gangster. He's British.
Watch it. You're in for a good laugh."
Brilliantly Shot Crime Documentary
Compay | New Orleans, LA | 03/26/2010
(4 out of 5 stars)
"A Very British Gangster is one of the most underrated and beautifully-shot crime documentaries available. What distinguishes this documentary from most others is how it's directed. Far from the typical gritty hand-held guerrilla style of documentary work, this film is filled with brilliant cinematography and effective crane shots. The British rock soundtrack is an excellent backdrop to footage of the seedier sides of Manchester.
Dominic is no Tony Soprano; despite the flashy suits and manicured appearance, his home life seems to be fairly working class. Where Noonan loses credibility is with his entourage, which is almost exclusively made up of teenagers. It calls into question not how dangerous Dominic is, but if he's as powerful as others make him out to be.
It's still impossible to deny his family's reputation, as the film reveals Manchester's major reaction to the death of one the infamous Noonans. His constant court appearances serve as a testament to his alleged criminal activity, and some of the things that this gangster confesses are shockingly honest and revealing.
So while it's hard to say exactly where Dominic Noonan ranked on the totem pole of British gangsters, it's safe to say that this was a well-shot documentary."