Year of Release: 1971
Director: Mike Hodges
Starring: Michael Caine, Ian Hendry, John Osborne, Alun Armstrong, George Sewell, Britt Ekland, Dorothy White, Geraldine Moffat, Rosemarie Dunham, Bryan Mosley, Glynn Edwards, Bernard Hepton
Genre: Crime, Thriller
Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 7
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Synopsis and Review:
After a career started in Television (much like many celebrated British film directors, such as Stephen Frears, Michael Apted and Alan Parker), director Mike Hodges ventured into feature film making with "Get Carter", an adaptation of the book by Ted Lewis. The film follows the story of Jack Carter, a lethal London-based gangster, who goes back to Newcastle, to attend his brother's funeral. He suspects that his brother's death was not accidental, and starts investigating in order to get to the bottom of things. His niece is in shambles, but he manages to start uncovering the workings of the criminal life of Newcastle, and slowly starts peeling away of what has truly occurred, not stopping at anything to get what he wants. What he uncovers is a shocking revelation which sets him on a path of vengeance with no stop.
"Get Carter", much like William Friedkin's "The French Connection", which also made its debut in 1971, would capitalize on a fresh perspective on the world of crime - gone were the glamour or humor driven views of the seedy underbelly, replaced instead with a more dramatic and visceral view of that reality. Both films went in the direction of a grittier, more violent and ultimately, realistic of that lifestyle, with all that it comes with it (including violence, death, greed). "Get Carter" and director Mike Hodges, manage to capture the reality of Newcastle impeccably, grim and grey, with Jack Carter aiding to this portrait, since he is the narrator, one who takes us through his views of the investigation, while also allowing us to view the city through his eyes, a city he had long left behind (the same going for people he pushed aside, in order to become the person he now is). Michael Caine dominates the film with a performance that goes from charming to lethal fairly quickly. He's charismatic, brutal, funny and fearless, all of which make this character unforgettable. The supporting cast is equally effective in their brief depictions. A solid film always worth revisiting.
"Get Carter", much like William Friedkin's "The French Connection", which also made its debut in 1971, would capitalize on a fresh perspective on the world of crime - gone were the glamour or humor driven views of the seedy underbelly, replaced instead with a more dramatic and visceral view of that reality. Both films went in the direction of a grittier, more violent and ultimately, realistic of that lifestyle, with all that it comes with it (including violence, death, greed). "Get Carter" and director Mike Hodges, manage to capture the reality of Newcastle impeccably, grim and grey, with Jack Carter aiding to this portrait, since he is the narrator, one who takes us through his views of the investigation, while also allowing us to view the city through his eyes, a city he had long left behind (the same going for people he pushed aside, in order to become the person he now is). Michael Caine dominates the film with a performance that goes from charming to lethal fairly quickly. He's charismatic, brutal, funny and fearless, all of which make this character unforgettable. The supporting cast is equally effective in their brief depictions. A solid film always worth revisiting.
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