Legend
Legend

Movie spotlight

Legend

2015
Movie
132 min
English

Suave, charming and volatile, Reggie Kray and his unstable twin brother Ronnie start to leave their mark on the London underworld in the 1960s. Using violence to get what they want, the siblings orchestrate robberies and murders while running nightclubs and protection rackets. With police Detective Leonard "Nipper" Read hot on their heels, the brothers continue their rapid rise to power and achieve tabloid notoriety.

Insights

IMDb6.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes61%
Metacritic56/100
Google Users72%
Director: Brian HelgelandGenres: Crime, Drama, Thriller, Biography

Plot Summary

The film chronicles the rise and fall of the infamous Kray twins, Ronnie and Reggie, who were central figures in organized crime in London during the 1950s and 1960s. It details their violent reign, their complex relationship with each other, and their entanglement with women and the law. The narrative is presented through the eyes of Reggie's wife, Frances Shea, offering a unique perspective on their terrifying world.

Critical Reception

Legend received mixed to positive reviews from critics, with particular praise directed at Tom Hardy's dual performance. However, many found the film's narrative to be somewhat uneven and lacking the depth to fully explore the complexities of the Krays' lives and crimes.

What Reviewers Say

  • Tom Hardy delivers a captivating dual performance as the Kray twins.

  • The film excels in its portrayal of 1960s London and the gritty atmosphere of the era.

  • Despite strong performances, the narrative struggles to fully engage or offer new insights into the notorious gangsters.

Google audience: Audiences generally appreciated Tom Hardy's performance and the film's stylish presentation of the 1960s. However, some viewers felt the story was predictable or lacked sufficient character development.

Fun Fact

Tom Hardy played both Ronnie and Reggie Kray, and to facilitate shooting, he would often perform scenes twice, acting against a body double or a stunt performer for the twin he wasn't playing.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

2 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

Tom Hardy is quite accomplished here as he portrays both of the legendary London gangster Kray twins. The pair managed to stay one step ahead of the pursuing constabulary (led here by Christopher Ecclestone's ocassional appearances as "Nipp...

mattwilde123

mattwilde123

'Legend' was not a very good film. It was poorly acted and written on the most part. It was predictable and just seemed like a forgettable straight-to-video gangster film. However, the only saving grace (and a really good one) was Tom Hardy...