Directed by:
Paul McGuiganCinematography:
Milan Peter SovaComposer:
John DankworthCast:
Malcolm McDowell, David Thewlis, Paul Bettany, Saffron Burrows, Kenneth Cranham, Jamie Foreman, Eddie Marsan, Andrew Lincoln, Emma Griffiths Malin (more)Plots(1)
Adapted from the stageplay by Louis Mellis and David Scinto, the story follows the rise of the title character, an unnamed young thug (played by Paul Bettany and later by Malcolm McDowell) who is hired by high-profile gangster (David Thewlis) as a soldier and finds himself increasingly obsessed with him. This becomes an almost erotic absorption with the aura of power and success which Thewlis radiates and gangster sets his sights on not only having all that he has but being as cool and irresistible as well. (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Cast
![Malcolm McDowell](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/160/230/160230800_46c0da.jpg)
Malcolm McDowell
UK
Best movies:
A Clockwork Orange (1971)
O Lucky Man! (1973)
Long Ago Tomorrow (1971)
![David Thewlis](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/166/155/166155236_a314d6.jpg)
David Thewlis
UK
Best movies:
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (2008)
The Big Lebowski (1998)
![Paul Bettany](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/165/126/165126014_d1fbd4.jpg)
Paul Bettany
UK
Best movies:
A Beautiful Mind (2001)
Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Dogville (2003)
![Saffron Burrows](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/164/118/164118416_4e5ae5.jpg)
Saffron Burrows
UK
Best movies:
In the Name of the Father (1993)
Reign Over Me (2007)
Frida (2002)
![Kenneth Cranham](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/163/343/163343131_750edb.png)
Kenneth Cranham
UK
Best movies:
War and Peace (2016) (series)
Valkyrie (2008)
Brother Sun, Sister Moon (1972)
![Jamie Foreman](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/161/451/161451051_230867.jpg)
Jamie Foreman
UK
Best movies:
Sleepy Hollow (1999)
I.D. (1995)
Elizabeth: The Virgin Queen (1998)
![Eddie Marsan](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/162/409/162409833_ed5fcf.jpg)
Eddie Marsan
UK
Best movies:
The Gentlemen (2019)
21 Grams (2003)
The Best of Men (2012) (TV movie)
![Andrew Lincoln](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/163/025/163025051_4a7cc6.jpg)
Andrew Lincoln
UK
Best movies:
Love Actually (2003)
Wuthering Heights (2009) (TV movie)
Human Traffic (1999)
![Emma Griffiths Malin](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/279/279154_6838ad.jpg)
Emma Griffiths Malin
UK
Best movies:
Wallander (2008) (series)
Ripper Street (2012) (series)
Agatha Christie: Poirot (1989) (series)
![Razaaq Adoti](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/394/394673_07368d.jpg)
Razaaq Adoti
UK
Best movies:
Black Hawk Down (2001)
Amistad (1997)
Gangster No. 1 (2000)
![Johnny Harris](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/162/410/162410609_e06a6f.jpg)
Johnny Harris
UK
Best movies:
Atonement (2007)
RocknRolla (2008)
Clapham Junction (2007) (TV movie)
![Sean Chapman](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/161/713/161713475_c240e3.jpg)
Sean Chapman
UK
Best movies:
Cadfael (1994) (series)
Scum (1979)
Eat the Rich (1987)
Ian Boo Khoo
UK
Best movies:
Agatha Christie: Poirot (1989) (series)
Notting Hill (1999)
Spy Game (2001)
Lance Patrick
Best movies:
Chaplin (1992)
Topsy-Turvy (1999)
Gangster No. 1 (2000)
![Doug Allen](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/160/579/160579917_aa0340.jpg)
Doug Allen
Best movies:
Sherlock (2010) (series)
One True Thing (1998)
The Guvnors (2014)
![Tony Denham](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/160/781/160781228_16345b.jpg)
Tony Denham
Best movies:
In the Name of the Father (1993)
The Football Factory (2004)
Miss You Already (2015)
![Don Mccorkindale](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/161/379/161379338_34ade7.jpg)
Don Mccorkindale
UK
Best movies:
Kill Me Tomorrow (1957)
Layer Cake (2004)
Jack the Giant Slayer (2013)
![Martyn Read](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/161/441/161441314_5ace4b.jpg)
Martyn Read
UK
Best movies:
Juggernaut (1974)
Inspector Morse (1987) (series)
Gangster No. 1 (2000)
![Cavan Clerkin](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/161/704/161704009_266fb0.jpg)
Cavan Clerkin
UK
Best movies:
Jonathan Creek (1997) (series)
Pierrepoint: The Last Hangman (2005)
Green Wing (2004) (series)
Arthur Nightingale
UK
Best movies:
Unfinished Song (2012)
Little Dorrit (1987)
Frequently Asked Questions About Time Travel (2009)