Salaud

British gangster films have always been with us, but in the case of this very rare and hardly ever shown on TV classic, VILLAIN was to be the real start of many vicious gangster films to follow. For some insane reason Richard Burton never got any real film awards for any films he did. His films were very varied indeed. And it probably came as a shock to many when he stepped into the role of vicious London crime boss Vic Dakin. It's a performance with such frightening menace, that you wonder why this film is not shown more on television. It is also not on DVD and videos of the movie are hard to find, or of a very high price sold by collectors who wish to make a profit on this very rare gem. People go on and on about Get Carter, another great film, and I agree on it also being a classic, but for me Villain is just as good. If you can watch this film and can get hold of a copy, I urge you to do so. You won't be disappointed.

The Leonard Maltin movie guide described this movie as being "nasty" and "stomach-churning". Actually, by today's standards, the level of violence on display here you could probably easily get away with on prime time network television. Anyway, the tame by today's standards violence wasn't an issue with me. The main problem is with the script. The movie starts off fairly well, but quickly becomes very slow and talky, and the dialogue isn't particularly colorful or interesting to grab the viewer. (This problem can be found with a lot of other British movies this age or older.) As for Richard Burton, while his performance here is not one of his worst, it's also not one of his better ones. One problem for him might have been the fact that his character's appearances are somewhat less in number than you might think. This is not an awful movie, but for the most part it's kind of bland and forgettable. If you want to see an early 1970s British crime drama, I would suggest you watch the 1971 Michael Caine movie "Get Carter" instead.

You have to live Burton camping it up as a psychotic mum loving gangster. It's all a bit small budget but if you stumble upon it you will enjoy it. It's quite violent in places as Burton is proper psych!!

Vic Dakin is a ruthless gay gangster who loves his mother, bullies his boyfriends and intimidates the authorities. A powerful figure in the East End mob scene, Dakin hears of a potential payroll heist opportunity, and decides to go for it- abandoning his usual modus operandi. Working alongside rival Frank Fletcher, Dakin has few he can trust on the job. Matters are complicated by dogged detective Bob Matthews, as well as Dakin's relationship with his underling and lover Wolfe, whose loyalties are ambiguous to say the least. Will Dakin pull off the heist; or will the villain finally face his comeuppance?

Gritty and darkly funny, Michael Tuchner's 'Villain' is an engaging crime film à la 'Get Carter' or 'The Long Good Friday.' Based on the novel 'The Burden of Proof' by James Barlow, and from a screenplay by Dick Clement, Ian La Frenais and Al Lettieri, the film features strong characterisation and an entertaining narrative, as well as one of the best shot heist sequences of the 1970's. Moreover, it explores the psychology of a sadistic bully, whose allegiances are only to himself.

Dakin is a fascinating character- supposedly based on Ronnie Kray- who is charming one moment, cruel the next. His relationship with Wolfe is especially interesting, whom he bullies into submission, though has a sincere fondness for. He treats his mother with deference, playing the epitome of the good son when he's with her, though could kick someone to death when she's out of earshot. Dakin is a self-interested, psychopathic sadist, who asserts his dominance through violence and intimidation, and is endlessly watchable as he does so.

Furthermore, Clement, Frenais and Lettieri's narrative exposes the corruption and hypocrisy of 70's Britain and its political and social system, through Dakin's exploitation of same. Tackling a variety of themes in a mature way- such as homosexuality, the confluence of sex and violence, as well as corruption- 'Villain' must have been a relatively tough watch for audiences in 1971. However, it is also a funny film- intentionally and otherwise- keeping things from getting too dark. While the dialogue tends toward the overblown and cliched, 'Villain' has a lot going for it.

Christopher Challis's cinematography is gritty and atmospheric. His usage of low-angles and shadows creates tension, while also making Dakin appear all the more brutal and menacing. He captures the bleakness and brutality of the London underworld- as well as the contrast between Dakin's lavish lifestyle and his violent deeds- with style and verve. The film also benefits from Jonathan Hodges's stirring score, as well as Ralph Sheldon's astute editing, which lends the film a steady pace, bolstering its impact and suspense.

'Villain' stars Richard Burton as Dakin, alongside Ian McShane as Wolfe, Nigel Davenport as Matthews and T. P. McKenna as Fletcher. Burton is marvellously menacing as the cockney criminal, even if his accent isn't exactly consistent. Unlike in many of the projects he made in the 70's, he really gives the role his all; delivering a nuanced and entertaining performance. McShane masterfully underplays it, sharing a fine chemistry with Burton, making his character both believable and compelling. Davenport and McKenna are both excellent, while Donald Sinden nearly steals the show as dodgy MP Gerald Draycott.

While not as polished or coherent as 'The Long Good Friday', Michael Tuchner's 'Villain' is still an entertaining and enjoyable crime flick. Although the dialogue is stilted from time to time, the narrative is engaging, the cinematography gritty and the score rousing. Boasting strong performances from all in the cast- especially those of stars Richard Burton and Ian McShane- 'Villain' shows that crime doesn't pay; and is a film well worth paying for.

I saw this movie about 15 years ago, so it is somewhat hazy now. But I remember it had a cast of solid British character actors. It also possessed an aura of menace and creulty that went from Vic Dakin down through the rest of the cast. The dialogue was tough and believable, as was the violence. The Dakin character was obviously based on Ronnie Kray, but so what, the Krays were topical at the time.

I enjoyed this film. It certainly stands up against the drek of today. I am sick and tired of violence and gangster's being treated with clever and stylistic humour.