Why Get Carter Is The Greatest British Gangster Film Ever Made

Get Carter is one of the most impactful films on the gangster genre and arguably the best British gangster film ever made.
Footage used from:
Get Carter (1971)
0: 27 They Made Me A Fugitive (1947)
1: 23 BBC Look North location Report (1970)
2: 10 • Bristol post war
4: 24 • So This Is London! (1930)
5: 25 The Ship Hotel - Tyne Main (1967)
7: 29 Roy Budd Plays 'Get Carter' (1971)
Additional Information used from:
Get Carter audio commentary featuring Mike Hodges, Michael Caine and Wolfgang Suschitzky
Mike Hodges in Conversation
Klinger on Klinger
The Sound of Roy Budd
BFI Get Carter booklet

[@gilbertkohl6991]

It was beautifully shot.

[@stirrednotshaken3111]

Great review thank you

[@iangalley3464]

I grew up in the 70's and come from a nearby town and I would go up to Newcastle quite a lot, (especially in the 80's). Watching the film I have very distant memories of how the area looked, (except the old multi-story car park, that's quite vivid). I'm hoping to do a wee video that compares locations/shots then & now. Another thing, I used to know a guy who said he was a stunt man on the film. Nice video, just watched this and your Lawrence of Arabia production review.

[@powerballminep67]

I think Doreen was actually Jack’s daughter, but she wasn’t made aware.

[@VoidVolken]

I believe its hinted at but never confirmed. Mike Hodges himself hints at the connection in the audio commentary for the film.

[@nickbrook234]

The novel was most certainly set in Scunthorpe. It's states it in the book.

[@neilritson7445]

A frightening dose of reality. I lived just over the Northumberland border and we feared going to Newcastle. One day we parked our car in Gallowgate - a young lad came up to 'mind it' for a shilling. My dad demurred so he said "it'd be a shame of you came back to have all scratched, mister". Dad paid the shilling but in two sixpenny parts - one then and one when we came back. Even in the 1990s there was crime to order! My Dr mate had offers of stereos for his car- stolen to order.

[@mabbrey]

great vid

[@davidcolin6519]

My father's cousin (Asshton Gorton) was the set designer for Get Carter, and I didn't know until much, much later. It was a shame because I never got to say how very much I enjoyed the film. Long before I knew about the family connection, I had decided that it was my favourite British Ganster Film, possibly my favourite Gangster film bar none. The only one that I can think of that comes close is The Long Good Friday. Hollywood does Gangster Films so well, yet there is always an air of disbelief in them, as if the cast can't really believe in it themselves (and probably why The Godfather is the only one actually worth the mention). Which speaks volumes for the depth (or rather, lack of it) in Hollywood storytelling.

[@eddiecobbett]

At about 11:05, when you talk about the amount of money Carter carried - it was not uncommon for the 'wide boys', or gypsies, or whoever lived life cash-in-hand to carry a large amount of money with them, not just gangsters. 'A roll large enough to choke a horse' as they used to say. I've seen people like that well into the 80s, before banking was relaxed enough to be available to everyone.

[@gonogazz]

Its a Great movie..some scenes ahead of time..like the car scene with the Lady locked in the back boot.. .. But slow down your talking a bit..no offense..

[@VoidVolken]

No offense taken, I'll keep that in mind for later videos.