In association with

Essex Boys [2000]
from Pathe Distribution
starring craig fairbrass, Alex Kingston, Charlie Creed-Miles, Tom Wilkinson, Larry Lamb

Features:

• PAL
• Widescreen

Editorial Review:

Essex Boys constructs a fictional story around the infamous Range Rover murders in Rettenden, Essex, in which three local drug dealers were found blasted to death by shotguns. Driving for ex-con Jason Locke (Sean Bean) was just another job for Billy Reynolds (Charlie Creed-Miles). But fresh out of a five-year stretch, Locke is looking to make up for lost time and begins a turf war. He stalks his manor with a menacing leer and a bottle of acid to throw in the face of anyone who gets in his way, and is given to Locke and his drug-dealing gang rely on brute strength to enforce their will, but when they decide to expand their game they underestimate the wiles of Billy's boss, countrified crime gent John Dyke. Southend's sunset strip of neon-fronted clubs and arcades, but fails to lift the plot of his film out of the Brit-gangster ghetto. That said, Winsor laudably plays it straight, avoiding the style over substance affectations of the genre, while coaxing believable performances out of his cast. --Chris Campion

On the DVD: the anamorphic 1.85:1 widescreen transfer is good with little obvious grain and an above average level of detail. But it is the soundtrack that's really the star of this DVD. The intensity of the film and the relentless action from the outset (where you are thrust into the middle of a crowded nightclub) is really upped by the brilliant Dolby Digital 5.1 audio mix, resulting in the viewer feeling every gunshot. It's a good job that the soundtrack is so spectacular, since there are no special features except the usual suspects, the original theatrical trailer and scene access. --Kristen BowditchEssex Boys constructs a fictional story around the infamous Range Rover murders in Rettenden, Essex, in which three local drug dealers were found blasted to death by shotguns. Driving for ex-con Jason Locke (Sean Bean) was just another job for Billy Reynolds (Charlie Creed-Miles). But fresh out of a five-year stretch, Locke is looking to make up for lost time and begins a turf war. He stalks his manor with a menacing leer and a bottle of acid to throw in the face of anyone who gets in his way, and is given to humiliating publicly his long-suffering wife Lisa (Alex Kingston). Locke and his drug-dealing gang rely on brute strength to enforce their will, but when they decide to expand their game they underestimate the wiles of Billy's boss, countrified crime gent John Dyke. Director Terry Winsor makes good use of locations, especially Southend's sunset strip of neon-fronted clubs and arcades, but fails to lift the plot of his film out of the Brit-gangster ghetto. That said, Winsor laudably plays it straight, avoiding the style over substance affectations of the genre, while coaxing believable performances out of his cast. --Chris Campion

1.85 Wide Screen
DVD 5
English
English
Region 2
Dolby Digital 5.1 English
Dolby Digital 5.1
Original Theatrical Trailer

Locke (Sean Bean) is a crime boss just released from prison and planning to regain his former position on top of Essex's criminal underworld. He meets up with Billy, a cabbie who becomes intrigued by the power and thrills of a life of crime. Together they plan a deal with the local drug boss with explosive consequences. Also starring Alex Kingston (of TV's E.R.) as Locke's wife.

Customer Reviews:

• Avg. Customer Rating: 3.0 / 5.0

• Disappointing
  I was hoping for a good British gangster movie but this isn't. A lot of people like Sean Bean but I always got the impression it was somebody acting. The driver was well played and, as usual, the film went up a couple of notches when Tom Wilkinson appeared. As well as the acting the poor script let the film down.

• rubbish
  They claim this film is based on the rettedon murders, but the only similarity is that 3 guys got shot in a 4x4 in feild, thats it, Sean Bean is laughable as a Essex gangster and the film never grips you at all.
  If you enjoy a gritty British gangsta film then this is not the one for you, this is boring

• Don't Bother..
  If like me, you were interested in the Rettendon Murders that took place back in the 90's, then don't bother with this film. Even if you have no interest in the subject matter at all I still wouldn't bother as its not very well written, directed or cast.
  Which is a shame!
  To be fair Alex Kingston (Yes, from ER..) rises above the turgid cess-pit of verbage, that doubles for a script and puts in a fine performance,(as you would expect) although she is purely there as the 'love interest' which... more info

• Loved it!!
  I have to say I was a bit worried about this film. I'm not sure why I was?! Sean Bean is absolutely amazing (as usual) as the bad guy (no change there!). He is an awful, violent killer, but I still didn't want anything bad to happen to him!!
  This is a great, violent look into drug crime and revenge.
  I really really really like this film and Sean Bean is fantasic

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