Bermondsey Tales: Fall of the Roman Empire

Bermondsey Tales is quite simply brilliant. Told in an episodic manner, Michael Head brings back the tradition of London characters, telling stories. Full of mad-cap tales of individuals and their escapades, you'll laugh till your sides hurt.

The leading cast are fantastic, with Head, Dan O'Reilly and Charlie Clapham bringing energy, one-liners and jokes a-plenty. It's also great to see the number of British legends - John Hannah, Frank Harper, Vas Blackwood, Alan Ford, Linda Robson, Vicki Michelle - all playing their parts. Without forgetting the formidable Gary Webster as the 'Head of the Family' and the excellent Maisie Smith in her debut movie role.

Michael Head has created a really entertaining film here and isn't that what most people want? Entertainment.

This movie is not for the snooty critics that write reviews knowing little about the working class love for a good old gangster tale that features that world but also everyday family dramas they can relate to. It's nicely divided up into chapters like a novel and features Latin, yes Latin descriptions as we go along.

There are a plethora of well known faces that keep up your interest too, from Jay's dad from the Inbetweeners to the sexy French lady from Allo Allo. Plus Alan Ford, Maisie Williams and Gary Webster. This cast of familiar faces rises the film up beyond the standard gangster tale and with a Guy Ritchie style, Michael Head keeps it all romping along including absolutely hilarious moments from Dapper Laughs and Vas Blackwood. Plus, genuinely sad moving moments. John Hannah also features in a charismatic cameo as a gnarly Scot.

It all moves along at fast pace with consistently good performances throughout. It's perfect viewing with a Chinese takeaway and a few beers on the go.

Writing, directing, acting in, funding and putting a film together is a huge operation when you're an independent film maker it takes guts, grit, determination and a never say die attitude, as someone who's been there I can only applaud Michael for what he has achieved.

I watched Bermondsey Tales at the cinema and really enjoyed it! I watched again last night at home and loved it even more, there was so much I missed at the first watch.

Bermondsey Tales, is honestly one of the funniest films I've seen in a long time, with great vivid characters and lots of stand out performances. The dialogue is sharp with more plot twists than a rollercoaster, however what I originally missed was how intelligent the plot was.

On second viewing I noticed how smart everything fits together, how every action has a consequence leading to the ultimate downfall of the family. Even with the prologue and epilogue the film has the feel of a Shakespearean tragedy.

As a fan of British gangster films and classical English lit and theatre, I honestly put this film in my top ten of all times. It's hilarious, sharp, gritty and very smart film, plus I love John Hannah.

Bermondsey Tales - an immensely funny creative look at how the South London Mob operated in the yearly 70ies and 80ies. A creative tale of "true criminal tales" told with imagination, a bit of tongue in cheek and a lot of humor. A must see for any South Londoner or gangster fan, or if you just enjoy a laugh.

A fantastic cast including many well known actors, with a few new commers that should be mentioned including the Writer and Director Michael Head.

Cast includes Gary Webster, Vas Blackwood, Linda Robson and Maise Smith to name but a few.

It tells the tale of the rise and fall of the mob and the various characters and their antics.

I spent the best part of half an hr trying to decide what to watch - then thought I'd rent a film on Amazon, and went for this. The reviews were pretty decent, so I had my expectations quite high, and it didn't disappoint.

This film is excellent - the main actor, Michael Head (I think he wrote some of it) is excellent, the cast they've put together are brilliant. Some really funny scenes and characters (especially the postman and Rabbit), and some really funny dialogue. I like the cameo from Tom Skinner too.

Would highly recommend it. I think I might rent it again in the future, as I think it's one of those films that's great, but would actually click together nicely on a second viewing.