Hooligans

While brutal in its portrayals this film is an effective comment on the capacity of the average man in the street for violence.

The main members of the cast are Undercover Police, so clearly know the difference between right and wrong. However, they get so caught up in the thrill of the fight they find themselves unable to control their actions. One of them is so carried away he prefers his new life.

This film is a tricky one to watch, due to the closeness to home of the subject matter. Brutal and unmotivated violence is graphically, and very effectively, depicted, and takes place in everyday locations; the pub, the street, the football terrace.

Avoid this if you are sensitive about screen violence. However, while uncomfortable viewing, this film does ultimately reward, with full hearted performances and more than one or two difficult questions left in your mind. 8/10.

To be frank, everyone who I have shown this film to has loved it - it doesn't matter if you aren't into football, this is just a quality film as far as i am concerned. See how many faces you can spot in this. Maybe not big time names now but then that isn't the point - the atmosphere the film generates is superb. This isn't a Hollywood film but nor is it your typical Brit flick - no quirks here (apart from the character of Gumbo) but it does give a great account of what being at a football match is like but in a way that slightly romances football violence. In fact the violence takes a back seat to character progression and formation as the film progresses. I strongly believe the value of a ilm like this is so high because of the number of times I can watch it - surely the mark of a great film? There are only a few films that everyone has that they don't mind watching when they are considering watching one of their DVD's, and this is one that I have certainly got my money's worth from! I only wish I had watched this when it came out as I would have been even more impressed but I was put off by the cover and that the story concerned football.

John (Reece Dinsdale)is a smug copper who along with a colleague is assigned to go undercover to delve into the violent world of the football hooligan in 1980's East London. John becomes more and more obsessed and embroiled in this world until it becomes a part of him, which is certain to lead to trouble.

This is an extremely well made and engrossing film with top notch acting and some highly convincing characters. Reece Dinsdale, Sean Pertwee and Warren Clarke ,the pub landlord Bob, are excellent and ensure that this film is a success. We are presented with restless, dissatisfied angrey working class males whose way of letting out frustration is through football violence against enemy firms.

I have seen this many times over the years and it is a film I often come back to as it always guarantees excellent entertainment, a good story, great acting and characters. Definitely watch it

I.D. tells the story of four policemen on an undercover assignment in East London. They are supposed to infiltrate the notorious hooligan firm of (non-existing) Shadwell Town Football Club. At first they are not particularly interested in football or Shadwell but they gradually learn to appreciate the particular atmosphere that is only known to football fans. John is the most fanatic of the lot. He is slowly turning into a proper hooligan. And it seems that choosing between the job and Shadwell becomes more and more difficult.

I.D. is one of my favourite films and it is definitely my favourite football-related film. It shows us what is going on in and around an unfashionable London football ground on Saturday afternoons. The character development that the main characters experience is wonderfully portrayed by the cast.

I saw this film on Dutch television for the first time. I had a very hard time finding this film on video in Holland. In fact, I never succeeded but I was delighted when I noticed that every High Street video retailer in England had a copy in stock. A must-see

Not bad hooligan film in 1980's Britain. Interesting story and a brilliant performance from the main character John, it was over the top but spot on. He looked like a right nutter lol.