SHOP VILLAIN
IMDb >
Villain (1971)
![[Add to My Movies]](http://i.media-imdb.com/images//tn15/button_addtomymovies.gif){kind=small}
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summaryplot synopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsVillain (1971)
photos
board
trailer
details
| Photos (see all 1 | slideshow) |
 |
Overview
Release Date:
7 October 1971 (Norway) moreTagline:
Meet Vic Dakin. Then wish you hadn't. morePlot:
Murderous, sadistic London gang leader Vic Dakin, a mother-obsessed homosexual modeled on real-life gangster Ronnie Kray... more | add synopsisPlot Keywords:
User Comments:
Realistic well acted overlooked crime film moreCast
(Cast overview, first billed only) | Richard Burton | ... | Vic Dakin |
 | Ian McShane | ... | Wolfe Lissner |
| Nigel Davenport | ... | Bob Matthews |
| Donald Sinden | ... | Gerald Draycott |
| Fiona Lewis | ... | Venetia |
 | T.P. McKenna | ... | Frank Fletcher |
 | Joss Ackland | ... | Edgar Lewis |
| Cathleen Nesbitt | ... | Mrs. Dakin |
| Elizabeth Knight | ... | Patti |
| Colin Welland | ... | Tom Binney |
| Tony Selby | ... | Duncan |
| John Hallam | ... | Terry |
| Del Henney | ... | Webb |
| Ben Howard | ... | Henry |
| James Cossins | ... | Brown |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parentsRuntime:
98 minCountry:
UKLanguage:
EnglishColor:
Color (Technicolor)Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 moreSound Mix:
MonoCertification:
Australia:M (TV rating) | Iceland:16 | Australia:R | Finland:K-16 | Norway:16 (1971) | Sweden:15 | USA:R | UK:18 (video rating) (1989) | UK:X (original rating)MOVIEmeter: 
9% since last week
why?
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
The pub scenes were filmed in The Assembly House pub in Kentish Town. In between takes Elizabeth Taylor was known to pull pints for the cast and crew. moreFAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more
Message Boards
Discuss this title with other users on IMDb message board for Villain (1971)| Recent Posts (updated daily) | User |
|---|---|
| Locations | mr_pats |
| DVD out now in the UK | ib011f9545i |
| The blag | h-ahmad-1 |
| Availability? | you_are_correct |
| never on tv,not on DVD WHY? | ib011f9545i |
| smoke rings | markeasully |
Recommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
| The Gangster | Phantom Patrol | White Heat | Fracture | Bank Alarm |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| IMDb Crime section | IMDb UK section | Add this title to MyMovies |
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.