A great psychologically driven gangster, horror film of bloody cynicism that leaves much to the imagination. One for the sadists of this world. It leave to the imagination is superb and a must to see although Mcdowell is a bit disappointing.

If you think that "Scarface" is one of the best gangster movies of all time and you appreciate the new stylistic genre of Tarrantino and Riche, then go and see Ganger No 1. There is a lot of blood and testosterone generated here and the performances are excellent.

A truly intense experice for anyone who loves english gagnster films. Nonstop thrills and wonderfull acting. Not for the weak stomached people.

Paul Bettany is Brilliant very scary! H e makes the movie, all around good show.

Of the 24,306 British gangster films of the mid to late nineties, this is one of the better ones, in that it's not completely and utterly awful as, for example, Circus. Doesn't really stand out either, but it's good while you're there - and big Mal (McDowell) is in it too, so it can't be wholly unentertaining without breaking the laws of physics.

A brilliant british gangster film, well acted, well written and excellently produced. Watch it.

Leave grandma at home. When Bettany avenges Freddy Mays(David Thewlis), all that's missing from bloodbath festivities is a little celebratory monkey spanking since killing to the young gangster is a surrogate for sex. This scene will go down in the annals of crime movies. It's disgusting, but undeniably exciting like much of this film, which will be problematic for those who like their violence anaesthetized by baroque cinematography, and its practitioners to have sons who can see heaven. "Gangster No. 1" might be the best crime movie since "Good Fellas". Both films show the transition from an old to new school way of conducting business. It's a toss-up as to who's scarier; Joe Pesci or The Prodigal Roommate. Okay, it's Pesci but Paul Bettany is scary in his own right. He's awesome. And let's welcome Malcolm McDowell back from his own little road to perdition; network television, by giving the finger to Pluto Nash and giving a hand to the king. Long live the king! … Expand

Better than getting kicked in the face with a pair of golf shoes.

This is a painfully bad film, though stylish to a degree. It betrays its origins as a play throughout. Whereas a film like Closer, for instance, achieved the transition from stage to screen with some good results, this fails miserably. In particular, the progression from the Sixties to modern day is ludicrous: summaries of the Seventies (a shot of Sid Vicious), and Eighties (snorting cocaine) are perfunctory, and the 'ageing' of the actors - powdered wigs etc. - is ludicrous. McDowell is a terrible miscasting; the scene between him and the older Frank is excruciatingly bad. And the phoney East-End accents? Bettany's performance redeems it marginally (who could forget "this is my favourite axe..."). Otherwise, this is a trainwreck. To be avoided.… Expand

Rate this film ?.....what do you take me for...a $%&* !