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{{Use British English|date=September 2015}}
{{Use British English|date=September 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2015}}
{{About|film|the genre of folklore|Legend}}
{{Infobox film
{{Infobox film
| name = Legend
| name = Legend
| image = Legend 2015 poster.jpg
| image = Legend 2015 poster.jpg
| alt =
| alt =
| caption = British theatrical release poster
| caption = British theatrical release poster
| director = [[Brian Helgeland]]
| director = [[Brian Helgeland]]
| producer = {{Plainlist|
| producer = {{Plainlist|
* [[Tim Bevan]]
* [[Tim Bevan]]
* [[Eric Fellner]]
* [[Eric Fellner]]
Line 16: Line 15:
* [[Brian Oliver (producer)|Brian Oliver]]
* [[Brian Oliver (producer)|Brian Oliver]]
}}
}}
| screenplay = Brian Helgeland
| screenplay = Brian Helgeland
| based_on = {{Based on|'' [[The Profession of Violence]]''|[[John Pearson (author)|John Pearson]]}}
| based_on = {{Based on|'' [[The Profession of Violence]]''|[[John Pearson (author)|John Pearson]]}}
| starring = {{Plainlist|<!--As per poster block. Do not change-->
| starring = {{Plainlist|<!--As per poster block. Do not change-->
* [[Tom Hardy]]
* [[Tom Hardy]]
* [[Emily Browning]]
* [[Emily Browning]]
Line 26: Line 25:
* [[Chazz Palminteri]]
* [[Chazz Palminteri]]
}}
}}
| music = [[Carter Burwell]]
| music = [[Carter Burwell]]
| cinematography = [[Dick Pope (cinematographer)|Dick Pope]]
| cinematography = [[Dick Pope (cinematographer)|Dick Pope]]
| editing = [[Peter McNulty (film editor)|Peter McNulty]]
| editing = [[Peter McNulty (film editor)|Peter McNulty]]
| production_companies = {{Plainlist|
| production_companies = {{Plainlist|
* [[Cross Creek Pictures]]<ref name=screen>{{cite web|url=http://www.screendaily.com/reviews/legend-review/5092258.article|title='Legend': Review|last=Halligan|first=Fionnnuala|work=[[Screen Daily]]|date=3 September 2015|access-date=25 May 2017}}</ref>
* [[Cross Creek Pictures]]<ref name="screen">{{cite web |url=https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/legend-review/5092258.article|title='Legend': Review |last=Halligan |first=Fionnnuala |work=[[Screen Daily]] |date=3 September 2015 |access-date=23 October 2024}}</ref>
* [[StudioCanal UK|StudioCanal]]<ref name=screen/>
* [[StudioCanal UK|StudioCanal]]<ref name=screen/>
* [[Working Title Films]]<ref name=screen/>
* [[Working Title Films]]<ref name=screen/>
* Anton Capital Entertainment<ref>{{cite web|title=Legend (2015) - Financial Information|work=[[The Numbers (website)|The Numbers]]|access-date=18 March 2021|url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Legend-(2015)#tab=summary}}</ref>
* Anton Capital Entertainment<ref>{{cite web|title=Legend (2015) - Financial Information|work=[[The Numbers (website)|The Numbers]]|access-date=18 March 2021|url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Legend-(2015)#tab=summary}}</ref>
}}
}}
| distributor = {{Plainlist|
| distributor = {{Plainlist|
* StudioCanal (International)<ref name=screen/>
* StudioCanal (International)<ref name=screen/>
* [[Universal Pictures]] (North America)
* [[Universal Pictures]] (United States)
}}
}}
| released = {{Film date|2015|09|09|[[2015 Toronto International Film Festival|TIFF]]}}
| released = {{Film date|2015|9|9|[[2015 Toronto International Film Festival|TIFF]]}}
| runtime = 131 minutes<!--Theatrical runtime: 131:01--><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/legend-film-0 | title=''LEGEND'' (18) | work=[[British Board of Film Classification]] | date=30 August 2015 | access-date=30 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=TIFF.net|url=http://tiff.net/festivals/festival15/galapresentations/legend|access-date=12 August 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150801011040/http://tiff.net/festivals/festival15/galapresentations/legend|archive-date=1 August 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
| runtime = 131 minutes<!--Theatrical runtime: 131:01--><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/legend-film-0 | title=''LEGEND'' (18) | work=[[British Board of Film Classification]] | date=30 August 2015 | access-date=30 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=TIFF.net|url=http://tiff.net/festivals/festival15/galapresentations/legend|access-date=12 August 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150801011040/http://tiff.net/festivals/festival15/galapresentations/legend|archive-date=1 August 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
| country = {{plainlist|
| country = {{plainlist|
* France<ref name=bfi>{{cite web|url=http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/55b6adcd6b3d0|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160915152759/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/55b6adcd6b3d0|url-status=dead|archive-date=15 September 2016|title=Legend (2015)|work=[[British Film Institute]]|access-date=28 July 2016}}</ref>
* France<ref name=bfi>{{cite web|url=http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/55b6adcd6b3d0|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160915152759/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/55b6adcd6b3d0|url-status=dead|archive-date=15 September 2016|title=Legend (2015)|work=[[British Film Institute]]|access-date=28 July 2016}}</ref>
* United Kingdom<ref name=bfi/>
* United Kingdom<ref name=bfi/>
* United States<ref name=screen/>
* United States<ref name=screen/>
}}
}}
| language = English
| language = English
| budget = approx. $25 million
| budget = approx. $25 million
| gross = $43 million
| gross = $43 million
}}
}}


'''''Legend''''' is a 2015 [[Biographical film|biographical]] [[Crime film|crime]] [[thriller film]]<ref>{{cite news|title=First Photo of Tom Hardy As Both Ron And Reggie Kray|url=https://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=41276|access-date=12 June 2014|newspaper=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]|date=12 June 2014}}</ref> written and directed by American director [[Brian Helgeland]]. It is [[Film adaptation|adapted]] from [[John Pearson (author)|John Pearson]]'s book ''[[The Profession of Violence|The Profession of Violence: The Rise and Fall of the Kray Twins]]'',<ref name="BBC News 13 June 2014">{{cite news|title=Tom Hardy image as Kray twins released|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-27830233|access-date=13 June 2014|work=[[BBC]]|date=13 June 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=First Look: Tom Hardy as Infamous London Gangster Twins (Photo)|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/first-look-tom-hardy-as-711413|access-date=12 June 2014|newspaper=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=12 June 2014}}</ref> which deals with their career and the relationship that bound them together, and follows their gruesome career to life imprisonment in 1969.<ref>{{cite news|title=The Profession of Violence|url=http://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/the-profession-of-violence-9781448211401/|newspaper=[[Bloomsbury]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=The Profession of Violence (eBook): The Rise and Fall of the Kray Twins|url=http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/products/john%20pearson/the%20profession%20of%20violence%2028ebook29/9733994/?auid=1005&source=buyat&affid=Skimbit&awinaid=78888|newspaper=[[Waterstones]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141221232727/http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/products/john%20pearson/the%20profession%20of%20violence%2028ebook29/9733994/?auid=1005&source=buyat&affid=Skimbit&awinaid=78888|archive-date=21 December 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
'''''Legend''''' is a 2015 [[Biographical film|biographical]] [[drama film]] written and directed by [[Brian Helgeland]], adapted from [[John Pearson (author)|John Pearson]]'s book ''[[The Profession of Violence: The Rise and Fall of the Kray Twins]]''.<ref name="BBC News 13 June 2014">{{cite news|title=Tom Hardy image as Kray twins released|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-27830233|access-date=13 June 2014|work=[[BBC]]|date=13 June 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Kemp |first=Stuart |date=12 June 2014 |title=First Look: Tom Hardy as Infamous London Gangster Twins (Photo) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/first-look-tom-hardy-as-711413/ |access-date=23 October 2024 |newspaper=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref> The film follows the [[Kray twins]]' career and relationship together through their life imprisonment in 1969.<ref>{{cite news |title=The Profession of Violence |url=https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/profession-of-violence-9781448211401/ |access-date=23 October 2024 |newspaper=[[Bloomsbury]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=The Profession of Violence (eBook): The Rise and Fall of the Kray Twins|url=http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/products/john%20pearson/the%20profession%20of%20violence%2028ebook29/9733994/?auid=1005&source=buyat&affid=Skimbit&awinaid=78888|newspaper=[[Waterstones]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141221232727/http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/products/john%20pearson/the%20profession%20of%20violence%2028ebook29/9733994/?auid=1005&source=buyat&affid=Skimbit&awinaid=78888|archive-date=21 December 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref>


This is Helgeland's fifth feature film. [[Tom Hardy]], [[Emily Browning]], [[David Thewlis]] and [[Christopher Eccleston]] star with [[Colin Morgan]], [[Chazz Palminteri]], [[Paul Bettany]], [[Tara Fitzgerald]] and [[Taron Egerton]] as well as the singer [[Duffy (singer)|Duffy]] featured in supporting roles.
[[Tom Hardy]], [[Emily Browning]], [[David Thewlis]] and [[Christopher Eccleston]] star with [[Colin Morgan]], [[Chazz Palminteri]], [[Paul Bettany]], [[Tara Fitzgerald]], [[Taron Egerton]], and the singer [[Duffy (singer)|Duffy]] in supporting roles.


==Plot==
==Plot==
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The brothers are approached by [[Angelo Bruno]] of the [[Philadelphia crime family]] who, on behalf of [[Meyer Lansky]] and the [[American Mafia]], wants to engage them in a crime syndicate deal. Bruno agrees to a fifty-fifty deal with Reg to split London's underground gambling profits in exchange for local protection by the brothers. Initially, this system is highly lucrative for the Kray brothers; however, Ron's paranoia and inclination towards violence causes problems for Reg's efforts to maintain control. Ron's barely concealed volatility results in him publicly murdering George Cornell, an associate of the Torture Gang. As a result, [[Scotland Yard]] opens a full investigation of the Kray brothers.
The brothers are approached by [[Angelo Bruno]] of the [[Philadelphia crime family]] who, on behalf of [[Meyer Lansky]] and the [[American Mafia]], wants to engage them in a crime syndicate deal. Bruno agrees to a fifty-fifty deal with Reg to split London's underground gambling profits in exchange for local protection by the brothers. Initially, this system is highly lucrative for the Kray brothers; however, Ron's paranoia and inclination towards violence causes problems for Reg's efforts to maintain control. Ron's barely concealed volatility results in him publicly murdering George Cornell, an associate of the Torture Gang. As a result, [[Scotland Yard]] opens a full investigation of the Kray brothers.


Reg's marriage with Frances crumbles due to his addiction to crime. Unable to bear Reg's false promises to reform, Frances starts consuming prescription drugs illegally. After he beats and rapes her in a fit of rage, she leaves him. When Reg approaches her to reconcile, Frances seems to agree and they plan to visit [[Ibiza]]. But soon she kills herself by drug overdosage leaving Reg guilt ridden. The twins' criminal activities continue and Ron pays petty criminal [[Jack McVitie|Jack "the Hat" McVitie]] to kill Leslie Payne, Reg's partner, who controls the legal side of the Krays' operations, as he doesn't trust Payne. Jack only wounds Payne, who then turns the brothers over to Detective Superintendent [[Nipper Read|Leonard "Nipper" Read]], the head of the investigation. Reg finds out and brutally stabs McVitie with a knife during a party hosted by Ron. The testimony given by Payne means that Ron is arrested and charged with Cornell's murder. The final scene shows a police squad breaking down the door to Reggie's flat in order to apprehend him for McVitie's murder.
Reg's marriage with Frances crumbles due to his addiction to crime. Unable to bear Reg's false promises to reform, Frances starts consuming prescription drugs illegally. After he beats and rapes her in a fit of rage, she leaves him. When Reg approaches her to reconcile, Frances seems to agree and they plan to visit [[Ibiza]]. But soon she kills herself by drug overdosage leaving Reg guilt ridden. The twins' criminal activities continue and Ron pays petty criminal [[Jack McVitie|Jack "the Hat" McVitie]] to kill Leslie Payne, Reg's partner, who controls the legal side of the Krays' operations, as he does not trust Payne. Jack only wounds Payne, who then turns the brothers over to Detective Superintendent [[Nipper Read|Leonard "Nipper" Read]], the head of the investigation. Reg finds out and brutally stabs McVitie with a knife during a party hosted by Ron. The testimony given by Payne means that Ron is arrested and charged with Cornell's murder. The final scene shows a police squad breaking down the door to Reggie's flat in order to apprehend him for McVitie's murder.


The closing captions indicate both brothers receiving criminal convictions for murder. They died five years apart, Ron from a [[heart attack]] in 1995, and Reggie from [[bladder cancer]] in 2000.
The closing captions indicate both brothers receiving criminal convictions for murder. They died five years apart, Ron from a heart attack in 1995, and Reggie from bladder cancer in 2000.


==Cast==
==Cast==
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{{Cast listing|
{{Cast listing|
* [[Tom Hardy]] as [[Kray twins|Reggie Kray and Ron Kray]]
* [[Tom Hardy]] as [[Kray twins|Reggie Kray and Ron Kray]]
* [[Emily Browning]] as Frances Shea
* [[Emily Browning]] as Frances Shea; she met Reggie Kray at 16 and married him aged 22 in 1965.<ref>{{cite news |title=Reggie Kray's wife Frances Shea's diaries: Drunken abuse, weapons and constant isolation |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/reggie-krays-wife-frances-sheas-diaries-drunken-abuse-weapons-and-constant-isolation-9369440.html |access-date=14 May 2014 |newspaper=[[The Independent]] |date=14 May 2014}}</ref>
* [[David Thewlis]] as Leslie Payne
* [[David Thewlis]] as Leslie Payne
* [[Christopher Eccleston]] as [[Leonard "Nipper" Read|Nipper Read]]
* [[Christopher Eccleston]] as [[Nipper Read]]
* [[Chazz Palminteri]] as [[Angelo Bruno]]
* [[Chazz Palminteri]] as [[Angelo Bruno]]
* [[Paul Anderson (actor)|Paul Anderson]] as Albert Donoghue
* [[Paul Anderson (actor)|Paul Anderson]] as Albert Donoghue
Line 79: Line 78:
* [[Sam Spruell]] as [[Jack McVitie]]
* [[Sam Spruell]] as [[Jack McVitie]]
* [[Tara Fitzgerald]] as Mrs Shea
* [[Tara Fitzgerald]] as Mrs Shea
* [[Duffy (singer)|(Aimée Anne Duffy) Duffy]] as [[Timi Yuro]]
* [[Duffy (singer)|Duffy]] as [[Timi Yuro]]
* [[Taron Egerton]] as Mad Teddy Smith
* [[Taron Egerton]] as Mad Teddy Smith: a psychopathic gay man rumoured to have had affairs with Ronnie<ref>{{cite news |title=Kray made deathbed murder confession |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1327874/Kray-made-deathbed-murder-confession.html |access-date=25 March 2001 |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]] |date=25 March 2001}}</ref>
* [[Charley Palmer Rothwell]] as Leslie Holt
* [[Kevin McNally]] as [[Harold Wilson]]
* [[Kevin McNally]] as [[Harold Wilson]]
* [[Alex Giannini]] as [[Antonio Caponigro]]
* [[John Sessions]] as [[Lord Boothby]]
* [[John Sessions]] as [[Lord Boothby]]
}}
}}


In addition, [[Paul Bettany]] makes an uncredited cameo appearance as [[Charlie Richardson]], whose South London [[Richardson Gang]] (also known as the Torture Gang) had a turf war with the Krays.
In addition, [[Paul Bettany]] makes an uncredited cameo appearance as [[Charlie Richardson]], whose South London [[Richardson Gang]] (also known as the Torture Gang) engaged in a turf war with the Krays.


==Production==
==Production==
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On 12 October 2013, it was announced that [[Brian Helgeland]] had written a script and would be directing a film focusing on the life of Reggie Kray who, with identical brother Ronald, formed the notorious [[Kray twins]]. Helgeland said the film would concentrate on Reggie's attempts to control the psychopathic tendencies of his younger twin.
On 12 October 2013, it was announced that [[Brian Helgeland]] had written a script and would be directing a film focusing on the life of Reggie Kray who, with identical brother Ronald, formed the notorious [[Kray twins]]. Helgeland said the film would concentrate on Reggie's attempts to control the psychopathic tendencies of his younger twin.


Helgeland spoke of hanging out in London with well-known Krays associate [[Freddie Foreman]], saying, "I had drinks with him in his local haunt. When we finished he got up to go and they feted him at the bar. I said to him, 'what about the bill?' and he replied, 'we don't pay.'"<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-06-19 |title=Tom Hardy Eyes 'Legend' for 'L.A. Confidential' Writer Brian Helgeland {{!}} Rope of Silicon |url=http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/tom-hardy-eyes-legend-l-confidential-writerdirector-brian-helgeland/ |access-date=2023-07-19 |archive-date=19 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140619212025/http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/tom-hardy-eyes-legend-l-confidential-writerdirector-brian-helgeland/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Helgeland spoke of hanging out in London with well-known Krays associate [[Freddie Foreman]], saying, "I had drinks with him in his local haunt. When we finished he got up to go and they feted him at the bar. I said to him, 'what about the bill?' and he replied, 'we don't pay.'"<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brevet |first=Brad |date=2014-06-19 |title=Tom Hardy Eyes 'Legend' for 'L.A. Confidential' Writer Brian Helgeland {{!}} Rope of Silicon |url=http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/tom-hardy-eyes-legend-l-confidential-writerdirector-brian-helgeland/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140619212025/http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/tom-hardy-eyes-legend-l-confidential-writerdirector-brian-helgeland/ |archive-date=19 June 2014 |access-date=2023-07-19 |website=ropeofsilicon.com}}</ref>


Helgeland attended the [[2014 Cannes Film Festival|Cannes Film Festival]] with [[Working Title Films|Working Title]]'s [[Tim Bevan]] and Chris Clark to talk to potential buyers of the film and showing test footage of Hardy playing the twins.<ref>{{cite news|title=Cannes: Tom Hardy Gangster Movie 'Legend' Acquired by Cross Creek |url=https://www.deadline.com/2014/05/cannes-tom-hardy-legend-kray-twins-studiocanal-sales/|access-date=18 May 2014|newspaper=[[Deadline Hollywood|Deadline]]|date=18 May 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=StudioCanal readies Idris Elba, Ralph Fiennes films|url=http://www.screendaily.com/news/studiocanal-readies-elba-fiennes-films/5071671.article|access-date=13 May 2014|newspaper=[[Screen Daily]]|date=13 May 2014}}</ref>
Helgeland attended the [[2014 Cannes Film Festival|Cannes Film Festival]] with [[Working Title Films|Working Title]]'s [[Tim Bevan]] and Chris Clark to talk to potential buyers of the film and showing test footage of Hardy playing the twins.<ref name=":0">{{cite news |last=Tartaglione |first=Nancy |date=18 May 2014 |title=Cannes: Tom Hardy As Kray Twins Pic 'Legend' Firms Key Sales For Studiocanal |url=https://deadline.com/2014/05/cannes-tom-hardy-legend-kray-twins-studiocanal-sales-732634/ |access-date=23 October 2024 |newspaper=[[Deadline Hollywood|Deadline]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Wiseman |first=Andreas |date=13 May 2014 |title=StudioCanal readies Idris Elba, Ralph Fiennes films |url=https://www.screendaily.com/news/studiocanal-readies-elba-fiennes-films/5071671.article |access-date=23 October 2024 |newspaper=[[Screen Daily]]}}</ref>


===Casting===
===Casting===
On 18 April 2014, it was announced that Helgeland would write and direct the film, with the shooting being based in the United Kingdom and with Hardy starring as the male leads.<ref>{{cite news|title=Tom Hardy to play both Kray twins |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/apr/18/tom-hardy-kray-twins-gangsters-new-film|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=18 April 2014}}</ref> Five days later, it was stated that Browning was in negotiations for a role as the film's female lead.<ref>{{cite news|title=Emily Browning Joining Tom Hardy and Tom Hardy in Crime Thriller 'Legend'|url=https://www.thewrap.com/emily-browning-joining-legend/|newspaper=[[The Wrap]]|date=23 April 2014|access-date=17 April 2020|archive-date=15 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171215221209/https://www.thewrap.com/emily-browning-joining-legend/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Hardy was so set on playing Ronnie Kray that he proposed to Helgeland that if he gave him the role of Ronnie, Hardy would play the role of Reggie for free.
On 18 April 2014, it was announced that Helgeland would write and direct the film, with the shooting being based in the United Kingdom and with Hardy starring as the male leads.<ref>{{cite news |date=18 April 2014 |title=Tom Hardy to play both Kray twins |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/apr/18/tom-hardy-kray-twins-gangsters-new-film |access-date=23 October 2024 |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |agency=Press Association}}</ref> Five days later, it was stated that Browning was in negotiations for a role as the film's female lead.<ref>{{cite news |last=Sneider |first=Jeff |date=23 April 2014 |title=Emily Browning Joining Tom Hardy and Tom Hardy in Crime Thriller 'Legend' |url=https://www.thewrap.com/emily-browning-joining-legend/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171215221209/https://www.thewrap.com/emily-browning-joining-legend/ |archive-date=15 December 2017 |access-date=17 April 2020 |newspaper=[[The Wrap]]}}</ref> Hardy was so set on playing Ronnie Kray that he proposed to Helgeland that if he gave him the role of Ronnie, Hardy would play the role of Reggie for free.


===Filming===
===Filming===
Crews and cast were spotted filming scenes at Falmouth Road, London, [[St Anne's Limehouse]] in [[Limehouse]]<ref>{{cite news|title=Tom Hardy and Emily Browning film Krays movie Legend in London|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2014-06-17/tom-hardy-and-emily-browning-film-krays-movie-legend-in-london|access-date=17 June 2014|newspaper=[[Radio Times]]|date=17 June 2014}}</ref> and in the Windmill Walk area around [[Waterloo, London|London Waterloo]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Scene set for Kray twins movie in Waterloo's Roupell Street|url=http://www.london-se1.co.uk/news/view/7696|newspaper=[[ITV (TV network)|ITV]]|access-date=11 July 2014|date=6 July 2014}}</ref>
Crews and cast were spotted filming scenes at Falmouth Road, London, [[St Anne's Limehouse]] in [[Limehouse]]<ref>{{cite news |date=17 June 2014 |title=Tom Hardy and Emily Browning film Krays movie Legend in London |url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2014-06-17/tom-hardy-and-emily-browning-film-krays-movie-legend-in-london |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140618191219/http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2014-06-17/tom-hardy-and-emily-browning-film-krays-movie-legend-in-london |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 June 2014 |access-date=17 June 2014 |newspaper=[[Radio Times]]}}</ref> and in the Windmill Walk area around [[Waterloo, London|London Waterloo]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Scene set for Kray twins movie in Waterloo's Roupell Street|url=http://www.london-se1.co.uk/news/view/7696|newspaper=[[ITV (TV network)|ITV]]|access-date=11 July 2014|date=6 July 2014}}</ref>
Filming also took place in Caradoc Street in [[Greenwich]], in the Cedra Estate on Cazenove Road and in [[Gibson Gardens]], both of which are in [[Hackney, London|Hackney]].
Filming also took place in Caradoc Street in [[Greenwich]], in the Cedra Estate on Cazenove Road and in [[Gibson Gardens]], both of which are in [[Hackney, London|Hackney]].


[[Principal photography]] started on 12 June 2014.<ref>{{cite news|title=LEGEND begins shooting, first image released |url=https://www.workingtitlefilms.com/news/view/post/230/legend-begins-shooting-first-image-released |access-date=12 June 2014 |work=[[Working Title Films]] |date=12 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626173531/https://www.workingtitlefilms.com/news/view/post/230/legend-begins-shooting-first-image-released |archive-date=26 June 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> <ref>{{cite news|title=Tom Hardy As Kray Twins Pic 'Legend' Firms Key Sales For Studiocanal|url=https://www.deadline.com/2014/05/cannes-tom-hardy-legend-kray-twins-studiocanal-sales/|access-date=18 May 2014|newspaper=[[IndieWire]]|date=18 May 2014}}</ref>
[[Principal photography]] started on 12 June 2014.<ref name=":0"/><ref>{{cite news|title=LEGEND begins shooting, first image released |url=https://www.workingtitlefilms.com/news/view/post/230/legend-begins-shooting-first-image-released |access-date=12 June 2014 |work=[[Working Title Films]] |date=12 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626173531/https://www.workingtitlefilms.com/news/view/post/230/legend-begins-shooting-first-image-released |archive-date=26 June 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref>


==Release==
==Release==
Financing for ''Legend'' was provided by [[StudioCanal]], which also distributed in the United Kingdom, France, [[New Zealand]] and Germany in addition to handling international sales, which started at the beginning of the Cannes Film Festival.<ref>{{cite news|title='Magic' Sells to U.S. as 'Macbeth,' 'Legend,' 'Bastille Day' Power StudioCanal To Cannes Sales Record May 21, 2014|url=https://variety.com/2014/film/news/cannes-magic-sells-to-u-s-as-macbeth-legend-bastille-day-power-studiocanal-to-cannes-sales-record-exclusive-1201188270/|access-date=21 May 2014|newspaper=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=21 May 2014}}</ref> On 30 April 2014, [[Cross Creek Pictures]] acquired the North American distribution rights to ''Legend'' from StudioCanal, with a planned 2015 theatrical release through [[Universal Pictures]] in its distribution deal with the studio.<ref>{{cite news|title=Brian Helgeland commences principal photography on Legend|url=http://cineuropa.org/nw.aspx?t=newsdetail&l=en&did=258893|access-date=13 June 2014|newspaper=[[StudioCanal]]|date=13 June 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Cross Creek Acquires Legend's North American Rights from Studiocanal|url=http://www.studiocanal.com/en/news/latest-news/2431/cross-creek-acquires-legend-s-north-american-rights-from-studiocanal|access-date=6 May 2014|newspaper=[[Studiocanal]]|date=6 May 2014|archive-date=11 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170611000705/http://www.studiocanal.com/en/news/latest-news/2431/cross-creek-acquires-legend-s-north-american-rights-from-studiocanal|url-status=dead}}</ref> Sales to other territories such as Asia, Africa and much of Europe are being completed.<ref>{{cite news|title=Cannes: Tom Hardy As Kray Twins Pic 'Legend' Firms Key Sales For Studiocanal|url=https://www.deadline.com/2014/05/cannes-tom-hardy-legend-kray-twins-studiocanal-sales/|access-date=21 May 2014|newspaper=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=18 May 2014}}</ref> The film was originally set for release in the US on 2 October 2015, but it was moved to 20 November 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2015/09/tom-hardy-legend-november-20-release-date-change-1201530590/|title='Legend' Tom Hardy Gangster Film Moves To November 20 – Deadline|author=Anthony D'Alessandro|work=Deadline|date=16 September 2015 }}</ref>
Financing for ''Legend'' was provided by [[StudioCanal]], which also distributed in the United Kingdom, France, [[New Zealand]] and Germany in addition to handling international sales, which started at the beginning of the Cannes Film Festival.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hopewell |first1=John |last2=Keslassy |first2=Elsa |date=21 May 2014 |title='Magic' Sells to U.S. as 'Macbeth,' 'Legend,' 'Bastille Day' Power StudioCanal To Cannes Sales Record May 21, 2014 |url=https://variety.com/2014/film/news/cannes-magic-sells-to-u-s-as-macbeth-legend-bastille-day-power-studiocanal-to-cannes-sales-record-exclusive-1201188270/ |access-date=21 May 2014 |newspaper=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref> On 30 April 2014, [[Cross Creek Pictures]] acquired the North American distribution rights to ''Legend'' from StudioCanal, with a planned 2015 theatrical release through [[Universal Pictures]] in its distribution deal with the studio.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ramachandran |first=Naman |date=13 June 2014 |title=Brian Helgeland commences principal photography on Legend |url=https://cineuropa.org/en/newsdetail/258893/ |access-date=23 October 2024 |newspaper=[[StudioCanal]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Cross Creek Acquires Legend's North American Rights from Studiocanal|url=http://www.studiocanal.com/en/news/latest-news/2431/cross-creek-acquires-legend-s-north-american-rights-from-studiocanal|access-date=6 May 2014|newspaper=[[Studiocanal]]|date=6 May 2014|archive-date=11 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170611000705/http://www.studiocanal.com/en/news/latest-news/2431/cross-creek-acquires-legend-s-north-american-rights-from-studiocanal|url-status=dead}}</ref> Sales to other territories such as Asia, Africa and much of Europe are being completed.<ref>{{cite news|title=Cannes: Tom Hardy As Kray Twins Pic 'Legend' Firms Key Sales For Studiocanal|url=https://deadline.com/2014/05/cannes-tom-hardy-legend-kray-twins-studiocanal-sales-732634/|access-date=21 May 2014|newspaper=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=18 May 2014}}</ref> The film was originally set for release in the US on 2 October 2015, but it was moved to 20 November 2015.<ref>{{cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=16 September 2015 |title=Tom Hardy Krays Gangster Pic 'Legend' Moves To Pre-Thanksgiving Corridor |url=https://deadline.com/2015/09/tom-hardy-legend-november-20-release-date-change-1201530590/ |access-date=23 October 2024 |work=Deadline}}</ref>


Legend premiered at the [[Toronto International Film Festival]] on 12 September 2015 at [[Roy Thomson Hall]].{{Cn|date=December 2023}}
Legend premiered at the [[Toronto International Film Festival]] on 12 September 2015 at [[Roy Thomson Hall]].{{Citation needed|date=December 2023}}


===Marketing===
===Marketing===
On 13 June 2014, the first image of the film was published, featuring Hardy as the Kray twins.<ref name="BBC News 13 June 2014"/><ref>{{cite news|title=First Image of Tom Hardy and Tom Hardy as Twin Gangsters in Brian Helgeland's LEGEND|url=https://collider.com/tom-hardy-legend-image/|access-date=13 June 2014|publisher=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]|date=13 June 2014}}</ref> A promotional poster attracted publicity because it made a two-star review from ''[[The Guardian]]'' appear to be at least a four-star review by placing the two stars between the heads of the Krays.<ref name="consequenceofsound 9 September 2015">{{cite web |last=Young| first= Alex| url= http://consequenceofsound.net/2015/09/poster-for-new-tom-hardy-film-legend-expertly-trolls-negative-reviewer/ |title= Poster for new Tom Hardy film Legend expertly trolls negative reviewer: Gangster film proudly flaunts its two-star rating| date= 9 September 2015| access-date= 10 September 2015 }}</ref><ref name="theguardian.com 9 September 2015">{{cite web |last= Lee |first= Benjamin |title= How my negative review of Legend was spun into movie marketing gold |url= https://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2015/sep/09/legend-review-movie-marketing-false-advertising | date= 9 September 2015|website= [[Theguardian.com]] | access-date= 10 September 2015 }}</ref>
On 13 June 2014, the first image of the film was published, featuring Hardy as the Kray twins.<ref name="BBC News 13 June 2014"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Trumbore |first=Dave |date=12 June 2014 |title=First Image of Tom Hardy and Tom Hardy as Twin Gangsters in Brian Helgeland's LEGEND |url=https://collider.com/tom-hardy-legend-image/ |access-date=23 October 2024 |publisher=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]}}</ref> A promotional poster attracted publicity because it made a two-star review from ''[[The Guardian]]'' appear to be at least a four-star review by placing the two stars between the heads of the Krays.<ref name="consequenceofsound 9 September 2015">{{cite web |last=Young| first= Alex| url= http://consequenceofsound.net/2015/09/poster-for-new-tom-hardy-film-legend-expertly-trolls-negative-reviewer/ |title= Poster for new Tom Hardy film Legend expertly trolls negative reviewer: Gangster film proudly flaunts its two-star rating| date= 9 September 2015| access-date= 10 September 2015 }}</ref><ref name="theguardian.com 9 September 2015">{{cite web |last= Lee |first= Benjamin |title= How my negative review of Legend was spun into movie marketing gold |url= https://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2015/sep/09/legend-review-movie-marketing-false-advertising | date= 9 September 2015|website= [[Theguardian.com]] | access-date= 10 September 2015 }}</ref>


===Home media===
===Home media===
Line 117: Line 118:
==Reception==
==Reception==
===Critical reception===
===Critical reception===
{{RT prose|{{RT data|score}}|{{RT data|average}}|{{RT data|count}}|As a gangster biopic, ''Legend'' is deeply flawed, but as a showcase for Tom Hardy – in a dual role, no less – it just about lives up to its title.|ref=yes|access-date=2023-09-21}} {{MC film|55|31|ref=yes|access-date=2023-09-21}}
{{RT prose|{{RT data|score}}|{{RT data|average}}|{{RT data|count}}|As a gangster biopic, ''Legend'' is deeply flawed, but as a showcase for Tom Hardy—in a dual role, no less—it just about lives up to its title.|ref=yes|access-date=2023-09-21}} {{MC film|55|31|ref=yes|access-date=2023-09-21}}


===Box office===
===Box office===
''Legend'' grossed {{US$|28.0|link=yes}}{{nbsp}}million in the United Kingdom, and marked seven weeks in the Top 10 at the British box office.<ref name=BOM>{{Cite Box Office Mojo |access-date=2023-09-01}}</ref> In addition, it grossed $1.9{{nbsp}}million in the United States and Canada, and $13.1{{nbsp}}million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $43.0{{nbsp}}million,<ref name=BOM/> against a budget shy of $25{{nbsp}}million.<ref>{{cite magazine |title='Legend,' 'Shaun,' Smash Benchmarks for Studiocanal |first=John |last=Hopewell |date=14 September 2015 |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |url=https://variety.com/2015/film/news/legend-shaun-smash-benchmarks-as-studiocanal-universal-music-group-explore-synergies-exclusive-1201592926/ |access-date=14 September 2015}}</ref>
''Legend'' grossed {{US$|28.0}}{{nbsp}}million in the United Kingdom, and marked seven weeks in the Top 10 at the British box office.<ref name=BOM>{{Cite Box Office Mojo |access-date=2023-09-01}}</ref> In addition, it grossed $1.9{{nbsp}}million in the United States and Canada, and $13.1{{nbsp}}million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $43.0{{nbsp}}million,<ref name=BOM/> against a budget shy of $25{{nbsp}}million.<ref>{{cite magazine |title='Legend,' 'Shaun,' Smash Benchmarks for Studiocanal |first=John |last=Hopewell |date=14 September 2015 |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |url=https://variety.com/2015/film/news/legend-shaun-smash-benchmarks-as-studiocanal-universal-music-group-explore-synergies-exclusive-1201592926/ |access-date=14 September 2015}}</ref>


==Awards and nominations==
==Awards and nominations==
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|-
|-
| [[Satellite Awards]]
| [[Satellite Awards]]
| [[Satellite Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture|Best Actor – Motion Picture]]
| [[Satellite Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture|Best Actor – Motion Picture]]
| Tom Hardy
| Tom Hardy
| {{nom}}
| {{nom}}
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!
!
| {{nom}}
| {{nom}}
|<ref name="empireawards">{{Cite web|url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/star-wars-mad-max-empire-awards-2016-nominations-2/|title=Jameson Empire Awards 2016: Star Wars and Mad Max lead the nominations|last=Nugent|first=John|website=Empire|language=en|access-date=2016-03-15}}</ref><ref name="empireawards2">{{Cite web|url=http://metro.co.uk/2016/02/18/mad-max-fury-road-leads-the-pack-at-the-2016-jameson-empire-awards-5703379/|title=Mad Max: Fury Road leads the pack at the 2016 Jameson Empire Awards|last=Metro.co.uk|first=Rebecca Lewis for|website=Metro|date=18 February 2016 |access-date=2016-03-15}}</ref>
|<ref name="empireawards">{{Cite web|url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/star-wars-mad-max-empire-awards-2016-nominations-2/|title=Jameson Empire Awards 2016: Star Wars and Mad Max lead the nominations|last=Nugent|first=John|website=Empire|date=18 February 2016 |language=en|access-date=2016-03-15}}</ref><ref name="empireawards2">{{Cite web |last=Lewis |first=Rebecca |date=18 February 2016 |title=Mad Max: Fury Road leads the pack at the 2016 Jameson Empire Awards |url=https://metro.co.uk/2016/02/18/mad-max-fury-road-leads-the-pack-at-the-2016-jameson-empire-awards-5703379/ |access-date=2024-10-23 |website=Metro}}</ref>
|-
|-
| [[Empire Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]]
| [[Empire Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]]
| Tom Hardy
| Tom Hardy
| {{nom}}
| {{nom}}
|<ref name="empireawards" /><ref name="empireawards2" />
|<ref name="empireawards"/><ref name="empireawards2"/>
|-
|-
| [[Houston Film Critics Society]]
| [[Houston Film Critics Society]]
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| Tom Hardy
| Tom Hardy
| {{nom}}
| {{nom}}
|<ref name="lccfa">{{cite web|url= https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/celebrity-news/the-london-critics-circle-film-awards-2016-tom-hardy-and-kate-winslet-pick-up-trophies-as-mad-max-is-a3158651.html | title= Evening Standard|access-date=17 January 2016}}</ref>
|<ref name="lccfa">{{cite web |last=Ruby |first=Jennifer |date=18 January 2016 |title=The London Critics Circle Film Awards 2016: Tom Hardy and Kate Winslet pick up trophies as Mad Max is named Best Film |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/celebrity-news/the-london-critics-circle-film-awards-2016-tom-hardy-and-kate-winslet-pick-up-trophies-as-mad-max-is-a3158651.html |access-date=17 January 2016 |website=Evening Standard}}</ref>
|-
|-
| [[London Film Critics' Circle Award for British Actor of the Year|British/Irish Actor of the Year]]
| [[London Film Critics' Circle Award for British Actor of the Year|British/Irish Actor of the Year]]
| Tom Hardy
| Tom Hardy
| {{won}}
| {{won}}
|<ref name="lccfa" />
|<ref name="lccfa"/>
|-
|-
| [[Saturn Award]]s
| [[Saturn Awards]]
| [[Saturn Award for Best International Film|Best International Film]]
| [[Saturn Award for Best International Film|Best International Film]]
!
!
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| Tom Hardy
| Tom Hardy
| {{nom}}
| {{nom}}
| <ref>{{cite web|title=Las mejores películas de temática LGTB del 2016: ganadores de los II Premios Apolo de cine LGTB|url=https://www.dosmanzanas.com/2017/01/ganadores-de-los-ii-premios-apolo-de-cine-lgtb-a-las-mejores-peliculas-del-2016.html|access-date=2022-01-24|website=dosmanzanas|language=es}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Las mejores películas de temática LGTB del 2016: nominaciones a los II Premios Apolo de cine LGTB|url=https://www.dosmanzanas.com/2016/12/nominaciones-a-los-ii-premios-apolo-de-cine-lgtb-a-las-mejores-peliculas-del-2016.html|access-date=2022-01-24|website=dosmanzanas|language=es}}</ref>
| <ref>{{cite web |last=Roures |first=Juan |date=13 January 2017 |title=Las mejores películas de temática LGTB del 2016: ganadores de los II Premios Apolo de cine LGTB |url=https://www.dosmanzanas.com/2017/01/ganadores-de-los-ii-premios-apolo-de-cine-lgtb-a-las-mejores-peliculas-del-2016.html |access-date=2022-01-24 |website=dosmanzanas.com |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Roures |first=Juan |date=30 December 2016 |title=Las mejores películas de temática LGTB del 2016: nominaciones a los II Premios Apolo de cine LGTB |url=https://www.dosmanzanas.com/2016/12/nominaciones-a-los-ii-premios-apolo-de-cine-lgtb-a-las-mejores-peliculas-del-2016.html |access-date=2022-01-24 |website=dosmanzanas.com |language=es}}</ref>
|}
|}


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[[Category:2015 crime thriller films]]
[[Category:2015 crime thriller films]]
[[Category:2010s gang films]]
[[Category:2010s gang films]]
[[Category:2015 LGBT-related films]]
[[Category:2015 LGBTQ-related films]]
[[Category:British biographical films]]
[[Category:British biographical films]]
[[Category:British crime thriller films]]
[[Category:British crime thriller films]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of Metropolitan Police officers]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of Metropolitan Police officers]]
[[Category:British gangster films]]
[[Category:British gangster films]]
[[Category:British LGBT-related films]]
[[Category:British LGBTQ-related films]]
[[Category:Crime films based on actual events]]
[[Category:Crime films based on actual events]]
[[Category:StudioCanal films]]
[[Category:Cross Creek Pictures films]]
[[Category:Cross Creek Pictures films]]
[[Category:Films about murderers]]
[[Category:Films about murderers]]
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[[Category:Working Title Films films]]
[[Category:Working Title Films films]]
[[Category:Biographical films about criminals]]
[[Category:Biographical films about criminals]]
[[Category:Biographical films about gangsters]]
[[Category:Films about organised crime in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Films about organised crime in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Films shot at Pinewood Studios]]
[[Category:Films shot at Pinewood Studios]]
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[[Category:2010s British films]]
[[Category:2010s British films]]
[[Category:English-language biographical films]]
[[Category:English-language biographical films]]
[[Category:English-language crime thriller films]]

Latest revision as of 13:03, 27 November 2024

Legend
British theatrical release poster
Directed byBrian Helgeland
Screenplay byBrian Helgeland
Based on The Profession of Violence
by John Pearson
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyDick Pope
Edited byPeter McNulty
Music byCarter Burwell
Production
companies
Distributed by
Release date
  • September 9, 2015 (2015-09-09) (TIFF)
Running time
131 minutes[3][4]
Countries
LanguageEnglish
Budgetapprox. $25 million
Box office$43 million

Legend is a 2015 biographical drama film written and directed by Brian Helgeland, adapted from John Pearson's book The Profession of Violence: The Rise and Fall of the Kray Twins.[6][7] The film follows the Kray twins' career and relationship together through their life imprisonment in 1969.[8][9]

Tom Hardy, Emily Browning, David Thewlis and Christopher Eccleston star with Colin Morgan, Chazz Palminteri, Paul Bettany, Tara Fitzgerald, Taron Egerton, and the singer Duffy in supporting roles.

Plot

[edit]

In the 1960s, Reggie Kray is a former boxer who has become an important part of the criminal underground in London. At the start of the film, his twin brother Ron is locked up in a psychiatric hospital for paranoid schizophrenia. Reggie uses threats to obtain the premature release of his brother. The twins unite their efforts to control a large part of London's criminal underworld, made easier when the head of the south London Richardson Gang (a.k.a. the Torture Gang) is imprisoned. One of their first efforts is to muscle-in on the control of a local nightclub, using extortion and brutal violence.

Reg enters into a relationship with Frances, his driver's sister, whom he eventually marries. When he is imprisoned for a previous criminal conviction, which he cannot evade, she makes him swear that he will leave his criminal life behind, an oath he never honours due to the allure of crime. While Reg is in prison, Ron's mental instability and violent temperament lead to severe financial setbacks at the nightclub. The club is almost forced to close after Ron scares away most of the customers. On the first night after Reg's release from prison, the brothers have an all-out fist fight, but they manage to partially patch things up.

The brothers are approached by Angelo Bruno of the Philadelphia crime family who, on behalf of Meyer Lansky and the American Mafia, wants to engage them in a crime syndicate deal. Bruno agrees to a fifty-fifty deal with Reg to split London's underground gambling profits in exchange for local protection by the brothers. Initially, this system is highly lucrative for the Kray brothers; however, Ron's paranoia and inclination towards violence causes problems for Reg's efforts to maintain control. Ron's barely concealed volatility results in him publicly murdering George Cornell, an associate of the Torture Gang. As a result, Scotland Yard opens a full investigation of the Kray brothers.

Reg's marriage with Frances crumbles due to his addiction to crime. Unable to bear Reg's false promises to reform, Frances starts consuming prescription drugs illegally. After he beats and rapes her in a fit of rage, she leaves him. When Reg approaches her to reconcile, Frances seems to agree and they plan to visit Ibiza. But soon she kills herself by drug overdosage leaving Reg guilt ridden. The twins' criminal activities continue and Ron pays petty criminal Jack "the Hat" McVitie to kill Leslie Payne, Reg's partner, who controls the legal side of the Krays' operations, as he does not trust Payne. Jack only wounds Payne, who then turns the brothers over to Detective Superintendent Leonard "Nipper" Read, the head of the investigation. Reg finds out and brutally stabs McVitie with a knife during a party hosted by Ron. The testimony given by Payne means that Ron is arrested and charged with Cornell's murder. The final scene shows a police squad breaking down the door to Reggie's flat in order to apprehend him for McVitie's murder.

The closing captions indicate both brothers receiving criminal convictions for murder. They died five years apart, Ron from a heart attack in 1995, and Reggie from bladder cancer in 2000.

Cast

[edit]

In addition, Paul Bettany makes an uncredited cameo appearance as Charlie Richardson, whose South London Richardson Gang (also known as the Torture Gang) engaged in a turf war with the Krays.

Production

[edit]

Development

[edit]

On 12 October 2013, it was announced that Brian Helgeland had written a script and would be directing a film focusing on the life of Reggie Kray who, with identical brother Ronald, formed the notorious Kray twins. Helgeland said the film would concentrate on Reggie's attempts to control the psychopathic tendencies of his younger twin.

Helgeland spoke of hanging out in London with well-known Krays associate Freddie Foreman, saying, "I had drinks with him in his local haunt. When we finished he got up to go and they feted him at the bar. I said to him, 'what about the bill?' and he replied, 'we don't pay.'"[10]

Helgeland attended the Cannes Film Festival with Working Title's Tim Bevan and Chris Clark to talk to potential buyers of the film and showing test footage of Hardy playing the twins.[11][12]

Casting

[edit]

On 18 April 2014, it was announced that Helgeland would write and direct the film, with the shooting being based in the United Kingdom and with Hardy starring as the male leads.[13] Five days later, it was stated that Browning was in negotiations for a role as the film's female lead.[14] Hardy was so set on playing Ronnie Kray that he proposed to Helgeland that if he gave him the role of Ronnie, Hardy would play the role of Reggie for free.

Filming

[edit]

Crews and cast were spotted filming scenes at Falmouth Road, London, St Anne's Limehouse in Limehouse[15] and in the Windmill Walk area around London Waterloo.[16] Filming also took place in Caradoc Street in Greenwich, in the Cedra Estate on Cazenove Road and in Gibson Gardens, both of which are in Hackney.

Principal photography started on 12 June 2014.[11][17]

Release

[edit]

Financing for Legend was provided by StudioCanal, which also distributed in the United Kingdom, France, New Zealand and Germany in addition to handling international sales, which started at the beginning of the Cannes Film Festival.[18] On 30 April 2014, Cross Creek Pictures acquired the North American distribution rights to Legend from StudioCanal, with a planned 2015 theatrical release through Universal Pictures in its distribution deal with the studio.[19][20] Sales to other territories such as Asia, Africa and much of Europe are being completed.[21] The film was originally set for release in the US on 2 October 2015, but it was moved to 20 November 2015.[22]

Legend premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on 12 September 2015 at Roy Thomson Hall.[citation needed]

Marketing

[edit]

On 13 June 2014, the first image of the film was published, featuring Hardy as the Kray twins.[6][23] A promotional poster attracted publicity because it made a two-star review from The Guardian appear to be at least a four-star review by placing the two stars between the heads of the Krays.[24][25]

Home media

[edit]

Legend was released on DVD and Blu-ray in the United Kingdom on 25 January 2016 and in the United States on 1 March 2016.[26]

Reception

[edit]

Critical reception

[edit]

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 60% of 171 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 5.9/10. The website's consensus reads: "As a gangster biopic, Legend is deeply flawed, but as a showcase for Tom Hardy—in a dual role, no less—it just about lives up to its title."[27] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 55 out of 100, based on 31 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.[28]

Box office

[edit]

Legend grossed US$28.0 million in the United Kingdom, and marked seven weeks in the Top 10 at the British box office.[29] In addition, it grossed $1.9 million in the United States and Canada, and $13.1 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $43.0 million,[29] against a budget shy of $25 million.[30]

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result Ref
2015 British Independent Film Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a British Independent Film Tom Hardy Won
Detroit Film Critics Society Best Actor Tom Hardy Nominated
Las Vegas Film Critics Society Best Picture Nominated
Satellite Awards Best Actor – Motion Picture Tom Hardy Nominated
2016 Empire Awards Best British Film Nominated [31][32]
Best Actor Tom Hardy Nominated [31][32]
Houston Film Critics Society Best Actor Tom Hardy Nominated
London Film Critics' Circle Actor of the Year Tom Hardy Nominated [33]
British/Irish Actor of the Year Tom Hardy Won [33]
Saturn Awards Best International Film Nominated [34]
Toronto Film Critics Association Best Actor Tom Hardy Won
2017 Apolo Awards Best Actor Tom Hardy Nominated [35][36]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e Halligan, Fionnnuala (3 September 2015). "'Legend': Review". Screen Daily. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  2. ^ "Legend (2015) - Financial Information". The Numbers. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  3. ^ "LEGEND (18)". British Board of Film Classification. 30 August 2015. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
  4. ^ "TIFF.net". Archived from the original on 1 August 2015. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
  5. ^ a b "Legend (2015)". British Film Institute. Archived from the original on 15 September 2016. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  6. ^ a b "Tom Hardy image as Kray twins released". BBC. 13 June 2014. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
  7. ^ Kemp, Stuart (12 June 2014). "First Look: Tom Hardy as Infamous London Gangster Twins (Photo)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  8. ^ "The Profession of Violence". Bloomsbury. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  9. ^ "The Profession of Violence (eBook): The Rise and Fall of the Kray Twins". Waterstones. Archived from the original on 21 December 2014.
  10. ^ Brevet, Brad (19 June 2014). "Tom Hardy Eyes 'Legend' for 'L.A. Confidential' Writer Brian Helgeland | Rope of Silicon". ropeofsilicon.com. Archived from the original on 19 June 2014. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
  11. ^ a b Tartaglione, Nancy (18 May 2014). "Cannes: Tom Hardy As Kray Twins Pic 'Legend' Firms Key Sales For Studiocanal". Deadline. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  12. ^ Wiseman, Andreas (13 May 2014). "StudioCanal readies Idris Elba, Ralph Fiennes films". Screen Daily. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  13. ^ "Tom Hardy to play both Kray twins". The Guardian. Press Association. 18 April 2014. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  14. ^ Sneider, Jeff (23 April 2014). "Emily Browning Joining Tom Hardy and Tom Hardy in Crime Thriller 'Legend'". The Wrap. Archived from the original on 15 December 2017. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  15. ^ "Tom Hardy and Emily Browning film Krays movie Legend in London". Radio Times. 17 June 2014. Archived from the original on 18 June 2014. Retrieved 17 June 2014.
  16. ^ "Scene set for Kray twins movie in Waterloo's Roupell Street". ITV. 6 July 2014. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  17. ^ "LEGEND begins shooting, first image released". Working Title Films. 12 June 2014. Archived from the original on 26 June 2015. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
  18. ^ Hopewell, John; Keslassy, Elsa (21 May 2014). "'Magic' Sells to U.S. as 'Macbeth,' 'Legend,' 'Bastille Day' Power StudioCanal To Cannes Sales Record May 21, 2014". Variety. Retrieved 21 May 2014.
  19. ^ Ramachandran, Naman (13 June 2014). "Brian Helgeland commences principal photography on Legend". StudioCanal. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  20. ^ "Cross Creek Acquires Legend's North American Rights from Studiocanal". Studiocanal. 6 May 2014. Archived from the original on 11 June 2017. Retrieved 6 May 2014.
  21. ^ "Cannes: Tom Hardy As Kray Twins Pic 'Legend' Firms Key Sales For Studiocanal". Variety. 18 May 2014. Retrieved 21 May 2014.
  22. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (16 September 2015). "Tom Hardy Krays Gangster Pic 'Legend' Moves To Pre-Thanksgiving Corridor". Deadline. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  23. ^ Trumbore, Dave (12 June 2014). "First Image of Tom Hardy and Tom Hardy as Twin Gangsters in Brian Helgeland's LEGEND". Collider. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  24. ^ Young, Alex (9 September 2015). "Poster for new Tom Hardy film Legend expertly trolls negative reviewer: Gangster film proudly flaunts its two-star rating". Retrieved 10 September 2015.
  25. ^ Lee, Benjamin (9 September 2015). "How my negative review of Legend was spun into movie marketing gold". Theguardian.com. Retrieved 10 September 2015.
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  30. ^ Hopewell, John (14 September 2015). "'Legend,' 'Shaun,' Smash Benchmarks for Studiocanal". Variety. Retrieved 14 September 2015.
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  33. ^ a b Ruby, Jennifer (18 January 2016). "The London Critics Circle Film Awards 2016: Tom Hardy and Kate Winslet pick up trophies as Mad Max is named Best Film". Evening Standard. Retrieved 17 January 2016.
  34. ^ "The 42nd Annual Saturn Awards nominations are announced for 2016!". Saturn Awards. 24 February 2016. Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  35. ^ Roures, Juan (13 January 2017). "Las mejores películas de temática LGTB del 2016: ganadores de los II Premios Apolo de cine LGTB". dosmanzanas.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 24 January 2022.
  36. ^ Roures, Juan (30 December 2016). "Las mejores películas de temática LGTB del 2016: nominaciones a los II Premios Apolo de cine LGTB". dosmanzanas.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 24 January 2022.
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