It’s not a film everyone will appreciate; it’s quite violent and creates a lot of tension, but those elements are handled effectively. Creating a compelling gangster movie isn't an easy task. It often feels as though every possible angle has already been explored, leaving new films feeling restricted to re-examining what others have done—and usually doing it better. This film, which is set in London, introduces us…

Paul McGuigan directs Gangster No. 1, with a script from Johnny Ferguson, Louis Mellis and David Scinto. The cast includes David Thewlis, Paul Bettany, Malcolm McDowell, Saffron Burrows, Kenneth Cranham, Jamie Foreman and Eddie Marsan; John Dankworth composed the music and Peter Sova was responsible for the cinematography. Gangster 55 (played by McDowell and Bettany in his younger incarnation) reflects on a life …