Based probably on the real life villains, THE KRAYS, who at the time were still at large. Richard Burton wanted to do the role both because it was as far from anything else he'd done and because he played a gay small time criminal. Though gay is the last word you'd use to describe his character in the film. It's tough realistic crime film, in the same league as, though of course not the commercial success that the later film THE LONG GOOD Friday would be.

Burton is excellent, totally realistic, frightened and frightening. The on location filming is well done the supporting cast also on target. It is not an amped up gangster film, though there is plenty of violence and a smattering of nudity it all serves to convince you of the real world of crime in the London of 1970. It was shot in 2:35 so full frame videotapes, the only way to see it, crop the image, but though you're missing something it's worth seeing anyway you can. It has the sparse use of music and realistic tough language that made all 70's cinema real and fresh at the time, though it ages very well.

One of Burton's best performances, award caliber stuff, but too strong for critics of the day as a film. For Burton fans it's a must see as it is for Film Noir buffs. Seek it out.

This is a gritty, urban, British gangster film. The Long Good Friday can trace itself to this film. Much akin to the Michael Caine film, "Get Carter", which was released around the same time. It was a forerunner to the current crop of British gangster films, such as Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Layer Cake. Burton is the Villain of the title. He's the 'gov'ner of a group of west end thugs. Burton transforms himself in this film. He is pure evil and malice and as compelling to watch as a snake.

The action in the film is propelled by a factory payroll robbery - its planning and its aftermath. There is big money at stake, but this type of crime is a bit out of Vic Daykin's (Burton's) league. His gang is usually into protection/extortion rackets. Plus he is relying on the discretion of a mousy and resentful middle aged low ranking clerical worker at the factory who feels unappreciated by his wife and employer and doesn't have a problem helping Daykin with insider information.

Burton is fantastic in this role. There is extreme tension and especially violence here, so it might not be for everybody. Daykin is paranoid of everybody, enjoys beating people up with his bare hands just for the fun of it, and seems to hate/mistrust women to the extreme with the exception of his elderly mother to whom he is very gentle.

Only one gaping plot hole that I could find, and that was Daykin bringing the two outside mobsters in on the payroll job. If, he in fact "doesn't know anything about their boys", and he trusts his own guys as much as this guy is going to trust anybody, why would somebody as paranoid as he bring outsiders in on the biggest job of his life? I'd recommend it. Just remember if you are accustomed to lots of introspective angst and dialogue from Burton, you don't really get that here. It is not that kind of film.

Adaptation of James Barlow's novel "The Burden of Proof" is a violent portrait of a gangland boss on London's East End that was allegedly based upon real-life crime czar Ronnie Kray. Razor-wielding Richard Burton has the lead, plotting a payroll robbery and blackmailing sexually indiscriminate Members of Parliament, but Burton's monotone Cockney accent, his grim, ashen face and stolid body language show the actor was either uncertain how to approach the part or was distinctly uncomfortable in the role. Director Michael Tuchner's flaccid pacing is another liability, as is the picture's general lack of wit, its poor sound recording (was the entire movie looped in post-production?) and its coyness about the Burton character's homosexuality. *1/2 from ****