Acting
Caine's volcanic rage — every vein-popping monologue is masterclass.
Direction
Irvin lets scenes breathe until they suffocate you.
Writing
Dialogue so sharp you'll need stitches.
Director
John Irvin
Michael Caine
Billy 'Shiner' Simpson
Martin Landau
Frank Spedding
Frances Barber
Georgie
Andy Serkis
Mel
Danny Webb
Karl
Claire Rushbrook
Ruth
Matthew Marsden
Eddie 'Golden Boy' Simpson
Peter Wight
Det. Insp. Grant
Frank Harper
Jeff 'Stoney' Stone
Kenneth Cranham
Gibson
Nicola Walker
Det. Sgt. Garland
Gary Lewis
Vic
Josephine Butler
Stephanie
Malcolm Tierney
Fleming
George Innes
'Little Pete' Jones
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Andy Serkis plays Mel months before his iconic Gollum motion-capture work, showing his range with pure physical menace.
The film captures the dying era of British boxing hall culture, where promoters were local kings before Sky Sports corporatized everything.
GB
