The Firm (1989)

Recommended

UK

Television Film

Series Title: Screen Two (1985-1994)

Director: Alan Clarke

Writer: Al Ashton

Cinematographers: Ben Philpott, Richard Philpott, John Ward

Cast: Gary Oldman, Lesley Manville, Philip Davis, Andrew Wilde, Charles Lawson, William Vanderpuye, Jay Simpson, Patrick Murray, Robbie Gee, Terry Sue Patt, Nick Dunning, Nicholas Hewetson

Bexy – a besuited estate agent from a working class background, who looks every bit the fascist with his black shirts, slicked back hair, and thin moustache – leads his band of football hooligans (The Inner City Crew) in a series of unflinchingly violent battles with rival crews, in a bid to become The Firm to represent England at the 1988 European Championships in West Germany, in Alan Clarke’s final film before he succumbed to cancer; a Powerful, responsible, essential, and generally credible if vaguely camp examination of hooliganism. Iain.Stott