CULT DVD Review

Bonded by Blood

Overall: 34%

Feature: 20%

Extras: 61%

Bonded by Blood (2010)

“Shut it you effin’ caaaant!”

This is now the third attempt of bringing to the big screen the tale of three Essex drug dealers (Patrick Tate, Tony Tucker, Craig Rolfe) who were brutally executed in 1995. Why a third film? God only knows. It’s not a particularly interesting tale as it is. These are nasty people that get and deserve their come-uppance. The story has already been depicted twice in the past ten years with Essex Boys and Rise of the Foot Soldier so does this film have anything interesting to add? Nope, but it does add a whole lot of swearing.

There is absolutely no one to root for in this story as they are all hideous individuals. The script is engulfed with profanities and the depiction of the female characters is pretty much shocking. I also think that there is a tad too much glorifying of the lifestyle of these gangsters and I’m afraid this film will be held up as a testament to crime for its target audience as opposed to a warning of such a way of life. The acting is pretty much wafer thin as is the script, direction is workmanlike and an odd disjointed structure adds nothing. The films biggest flaw is that it’s a bunch of horrible people doing horrible things. An ugly, unlikeable film; just like its main characters.

A sordid repulsive entry into the British crime vaults. Doesn’t contain the classiness of The Long Good Friday nor the dark humour of Guy Ritchie’s work.

EXTRAS:

Commentary with director Sacha Bennett and his producers Terry Stone and Daniel Toland:

These poor guys seem to be under the impression they have made a good movie. Worth a listen for fans of the movie (if there’s any) I suppose but a zone out for anyone else.

Interview with Bernard O’Mahoney:

O’Mahoney is one of the guys who were involved in this despicable world. He’s certainly got a fucking way with fucking shitty words. Pointedly he states that one of the gangsters was constantly watching The Krays film and saying how great the lifestyle looks and he does at least have the brains to point out is this really a lifestyle that people really want?

Cast & Crew Interviews:

Around twelve minutes of interviews with the main cast members, fine stuff for fans of the film (whoever you are).

Behind-the-scenes Featurette:

Basically just snippets from the interviews above with a quick look at behind the scenes footage.

The C Word:

Cast and crew say the C word. Amazing.

Welcome to Tony Tucker’s Mansion:

Terry Stone in character does a ‘Cribs’ style tour of his house. Nice and short thankfully.

Premiere & After-Party:

Everybody in the world is going to love this film apparently.

B-Roll Footage:

Around 20 minutes of footage of shooting the film. Everyone has a good laugh and a muck around.

Trailer:

“The Whole Fucking Truth!” F-word added just so you get the point.

The film is an ugly mess but there's enough special features here to please any fans of the film.

Stewart McLaren

FEATURE: 20%

EXTRAS: 61%

OVERALL: 34%

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