I finally watched Get Carter and I think it's ****!!

The guy who shot Caine was on the train with him at the beginning of the film. Carter's number was up right from the start.

Flawed in places but a classic IMO. If Neighbours was like Get Carter then I would tune in daily!

Simon,

I did not know that. Thanks for educating me.

A great film for all the right reasons, but it has to be watched in the context of the times during which it was shot.

The down-beat end is a message on the pointlessness of revenge, probably, by the way Jon.

Jono

I must admit that is interesting, so the film has redeemed itself a little!!!

The next one for me to buy is Long Good Friday as this has also been recommended to me!!!

Jon

Another classic although a little more like 'home and away' although bob hoskins is a little like Harold Bishop with attitude

I have no idea of your age or experience with films but if you've had a diet of Lethal Weapon/Die Hard and so on for the last twenty years then Get Carter will seem like something from the Dark Ages.

In a similar way, I find the old Hollywood gangster films to be so unreal ... but I saw Get Carter on its initial release (1971 or 72 I think) - aged a mere 14 - and it was different, so different from most other films that it was a landmark film. When you think of the world of the internet, etc. just how outdated is the theme of "blue movies"?

Is it a great film? No. But it is interesting and keeps your attention and that ending is a shocker. I'll happily watch it instead of many "wall-to-wall shoot-em-ups/blast the audience with noise" actioners of the last decade or two ... where you can't hear half of what is said.

quote:

Originally posted by Jono 13:

A great film for all the right reasons, but it has to be watched in the context of the times during which it was shot.

That it has to be watched in the context of its time disqualifies it from being a great movie.

quote:

Originally posted by Consciousmess:

The next one for me to buy is Long Good Friday as this has also been recommended to me!!!

If you did not like Get Carter I would be surprised if you like Long Good Friday! I really like Get Carter but don't rate Long Good Friday anywhere close!

The really interesting thing about Get Carter is the untouched back-drop you probably be hard pressed to recognise any of the locations today - also the soundtrack by Roy Budd is superb.

The thing is with Get Carter is that I had quite recently before hand watched Al Pacino in Sea of Love and Al Pacino never fails in his acting skills.

Michael Cain was shite in Get Carter and he was probably the best actor in that film with regard to talent. Micheal Cain has improved over the years, however, as in that magician film with that Australian guy who has a twin brother... he's a good actor there.

I hopw you know the film I refer to!!

Jon

PS Based on your advice, Nick, I might now avoid buying Long Good Friday!!

Pacino can be great but turns up the volume knob too much for my liking some times, certain scenes in Scent of a woman being a case in point.

try "dead mans shoes". might be more up your street.

I like Get Carter, but it's very much a period piece and I think conjures that up very well. The Soundtrack is the true gem though.

As for The Long Good Friday.... well, this is still one of the best gangster films ever, IMO. Bob Hoskins plays the loveable yet ever so menacing Harold brilliantly. One of the great characters in film.

The ending is either sheer genius or intensely frustrating.... If you have never watched it, then do it as soon as you can. It's of it's period, of course, but Hoskins' character is the film.

quote:

Originally posted by Richard Dane:
As for The Long Good Friday.... well, this is still one of the best gangster films ever, IMO. Bob Hoskins plays the loveable yet ever so menacing Harold brilliantly. One of the great characters in film.

The ending is either sheer genius or intensely frustrating.... If you have never watched it, then do it as soon as you can. It's of it's period, of course, but Hoskins' character is the film.

Agree entirely - it's a brilliant film and Hoskins is mesmeric.

Yes the soundtrack is a great aspect of Get Carter but so is the social history aspect of the film. Its shows a grim grey Northern Britain which was typical of the time. The contrast of Caine as the better dressed chap asking for the right glass in the grimy pub is excellent. I also loved the fight scene with thr club singer.

For me, its those touches which makes Get Carter such a cool film. "Eyes like piss 'oles in the snow"! - nice! The phone sex whilst the landlady of the B+B is listening (wishing she was on the receiving end - which she does int the end of course) was v.interesting even though its not linked to the main plot.

But that's the film all over. Many of the characters are interesting in themselves.

I did not realise the eventual assassin was on the train. But he was not given the order to kill him till later right? I have to watch it yet again now.

B

The whole idea of Get Carter was to be an antithesis to Bond.

Ryan

Do you know what though, I bought the DVD second hand and I will happily give it away to anyone who wants a copy!!

The acting is so much like a soap opera, nothing fluid about it. At least Michael Cain has improved in his ability over the years, as I think he does a great job in the Prestige.

Regards,

Jon

PS Maybe the Sylvester Stallone version of Get Carter is better???

"PS Maybe the Sylvester Stallone version of Get Carter is better???"

Ouch!! O that one hurt.

The film you need is Escape To Victory, starring Caine and Stallone.

"Where do I stand for a corner kick?"

Indeed! Reminds me of Vinny Jones version of Mean Machine with Jason Statham. A lot of fun.