St George's Day (2012)

Two cousins, Ray and Mickey, are the joint bosses of one of London's largest, home-grown, criminal empires. Whilst Ray is more focused on his now respectable appearance, with golf-club memberships and the like, Mickey keeps his eye on the street. In the knowledge that times are changing, the old-school gangsters are keen to keep a tight rein on their henchmen and lieutenants. Then when a deal gone wrong with an East European criminal organisation culminates with a mass shooting in South London, Mickey and Ray conclude that the only way to put things right will be to commit a diamond robbery – ripping off another criminal group – in Europe. Going onto the continent to carry out the crime, they ingeniously use an England v Germany football match as cover, and so travel with a large group of football hooligans, led by Mickey's older brother (an ageing thug). However, unknown to them until it's too late, one of the hooligans is posting messages on the internet in order to provoke mass fights with the German hooligan gangs – bringing Mickey, Ray and their robbers, into direct police attention. All the while, they are being tracked by a die-hard London Police Detective, intent on bringing Mickey and Ray down. But then into the chaotic mix, prior to pulling off the diamond heist, it becomes apparent that one of the gang is an informer… "Saint George's Day" is an ambitious, British crime thriller which fuses football hooliganism with gangsterism – although as separate entities rather than as one extended concept. There are many contemporary themes within the story, to its merit, and for the most part it succeeds in bringing these to life in an entertaining way – but it is hampered by an unnecessarily drawn-out attempt at character study of the two leads, by several recurring and tiresome clichés and with its questionable depiction of the London underworld.

Anyone that says that they hated this film must hate the genre. Any film with this epic all-star cast of faces from other English gangster films is sure to please. This film even has two blokes that were in I.D. I've watched Saint Georges Day four times and I am still noticing details that keep me interested. Ten out of ten! Saint Georges Day is well worth watching if you like hooligan, gangster, drug trafficker movies. "All my days! All my days Biggs, I love you" "Why me? You know how thick I can be!" This dialogue is making me laugh. As a yank I've never heard the expression" all my days". And the hooligan straightener scene is well, done. I would refer this film to anyone that loves this genre, Engerlund!

It took me a while to finally watch this, as I foolishly judged the film by it's IDMB rating (a habit I need to squash, as they've been highly inaccurate in the last year or so).This film is exactly what you'd expect from the 'British gangster movie' club - The usual suspects, playing their usual parts, with a mix of action, violence, and tough men in nice suits, embroiled in turf wars with foreign mobsters, caught up in the standard situations that you've seen in these kind of films before. If you're a fan of the genre, and British crime pieces, then I doubt you'll be disappointed, as the acting is up to scratch, it looks polished, and it is leagues ahead of many other cheap efforts from unknown British directors. Frank Harper has been in enough films over the years, some high budget, and others low, that's it not surprising that he is now venturing into the production and directing aspect of the business.The pace of the film was fine, the characters were easy to accept and follow, there was a fair bit of drama, and it definitely wasn't as 'vulgar' as some are making out, as I've seen far worse, in regards to the over use of swearing, and unnecessary violence.This is no 'Goodfellas' or 'The Godfather' but who would be expecting that kind of level from this film anyway?It does what it said on the tin - Solid film, and good casual viewing.I wrote this review to put some perspective on here, as the 4.5 rating is completely off the mark, and due to the low amount of submissions, it's probably some kind of 'politics'.Final thought - IMDb ratings are not always justified, and one should probably make up their own mind, rather than rely on them, like I've done in the past. You'll miss out on good films if you do.7/10

Seeing way to many negative reviews on this one so simply had to put this out there and give it some credit. I always feel films like this are watched by a lot of people who are not familiar with its genre of film and actors etc. We have a few actors in this from Eastenders from example. We have some familiar faces from Football Factory & The Business. This is a movie you put alongside these types of films - Rise Of The Footsoldier, The Business, Football Factory, The Rise & Fall Of A White Collar Hooligan, Bonded By blood. If you know about these films then you know what your in for with this one and you will enjoy it! Great cast in this one and great narrating. I really don't know why there's so many negative reviews... i feel a lot of the London based gangster flicks get it. This one was on Sky Box Office recently and im sure people watch it without even knowing about this genre of film. Tut Tut. Great film.