A Film Review by

James G Quigley!

15 January 2016!
!

!
Legend!

!
Written & Directed by!
Brian Helgeland!

!
Starring Tom Hardy!

!
2015!

!
Adapted for the screen by Brian Helgeland from John Pearsons
book The Profession of Violence - The Rise and Fall of the Kray
Twins, this film tells the story of east end gangsters and twin
brothers Ronnie and Reggie Kray.!
With both leading roles being filled by the impressive Tom Hardy,
the plot focuses on Reggies attempts to keep his brothers
psychopathic tendencies in check as they build a crime syndicate of
their own making in London in the 1950s and 60s.!
As their reputation grows from the fear they spread, they even
establish links with
the American mafia
in a bid to extend
the tentacles of
their growing
criminal empire.!

The film tracks the history of

the Krays downfall amid Ronnies
mental decline and descent
ultimately into the depths of his
psychopathy.!
While this story has been covered
before by others, Helgelands
production takes it in another
direction focusing on the subject not so much as glamorous
gangsters but more as violent
bullies and psychopaths, one of
whom never seems that far from
the gates of madness, while the
other tries failingly to steer their ship away from the rocks on
which they are ultimately doomed to be wrecked upon.!
Hardys performance as both main protagonists is both
commendable and believable, and while both are good
performances it is his portrayal of Ronnie that will have you
gripped.!
Two of the best performances of 2015, both by Tom Hardy.!

!
!
!
!
!

!
!
!
2

!
!
!
!
!
!
!