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Reviews
The End (2008)
A film in 2 halves?
I attended a special screening in the East End of London of the 70 min version of this very personal documentary, directed & produced by twin daughters of one of the (real) East End ex-gangsters.
The first half was the best using ECU/CU/MCU shots of the ex-gangsters as they catalogued their inter-gang violence, which match Godfather I for horror content. Understandably they could only talk about crimes for which they had been caught & tried, which makes you wonder what other worse things they may have done! It also used a very specific editing style, which helped build a threatening atmosphere to match the content - not quite confessions as they mostly seemed quite proud of their ultra-violent reputations.
The second half was less consistent, with a inter-mix of sub-themes: reflections on their early lives; how each handled 'retirement' to normal life; views on the East End now vs then; etc. Whilst many of the individual elements were interesting, I was left wondering where the film was going. The editing was also less stylised & consistent.
The screening was followed by a Q&A with the director & producer. It was quite poignant that they retain their E London accents though they now live in LA, where the film was financed & presumably edited. The documentary is intended to explain what led their father & his friends into such a violent life of crime, and to be a record of the old East End, which has changed beyond all recognition. In that I think they have succeeded.
Don't be put off seeing it because of my modest score - I would have scored the first half much higher & it is definitely worth a look.
Walter's War (2008)
Excellent World War I Drama
An excellent depiction of the times portrayed. Good cross section of classes & sensitive handling of the race divide which must surely have been prevalent at the time.
Interesting aside that the sergeant-major is the son of Andy Stewart - the singing shortbread-tin author of "Donald Where's Yer Troosers?" and part of the bedrock of Scottish TV when I grew up in the 1960s.
The drama could have been more edgy, with a a 1914-18 scandal re a mixed race liaison? OT's relationship is too anodyne, he doesn't really care what happens to her!
Liked the war-song scene/extro music. Good WWI background.
All of the core cadet group bond very well, which makes the final training camp scene work, as the viewer is arrested by their joint safety.