The Krays: The Prison Years

The story of the Kray twins is both thoroughly documented and well known, their rise to power, their fall, and the way they became a national institution. This documentary takes a slightly unorthodox look at them. It pays no attention at all to their background, although it does of course explain how they ended up behind bars, but the bulk of the documentary, which includes unique footage, consists of interviews with people who knew them: journalists, members of their firm, and especially Maureen Flanagan, who became their gofer while they were behind bars.

While no one in his right mind really idolises the Krays, there is a sense of waste about the entire enterprise. After rising to the top they could and should have gone totally legitimate. Reggie in particular had a fine business brain. Alas, the same could be said of Charles Manson, who with one lucky break might have been transformed into an accomplished songwriter instead of the man who killed the Sixties.

The Krays didn't kill the Sixties on this side of the Atlantic, but like the Beatles, Swinging London and the mini-skirt, they have come to symbolise them.