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- The Murder of George Cornell
- The Murder of Jack “The Hat” McVitie
- Did the Film Get It Right?
As a dedicated gamer and history enthusiast, I’ve always been intrigued by real-life crime stories that have made their way into popular culture. The 2015 film “Legend,” directed by Brian Helgeland, is one such story that left me both captivated and disturbed in equal measure. The movie, based on the infamous British gangsters Reggie and Ronald Kray, brought back memories of my fascination with their exploits and the dark underbelly of London’s criminal history.
Brian Helgeland’s 2015 movie, “Legend,” is a gripping crime story based on the true events of notorious British gangsters Reggie and Ronald Kray. The film, which is derived from a biography, delves into the lives of these brothers, brilliantly portrayed by Tom Hardy, showcasing their brutal criminal activities that led to their imprisonment for life in 1969.
Tom Hardy took on a complex task portraying twin brothers with distinct personas, frequently appearing together in scenes. Despite the difficulty, this role brought him three prestigious awards. It’s important to remember that the movie is inspired by real-life London gangsters and their criminal exploits. Although the events are exaggerated for dramatic effect in the film, they indeed occurred and significantly affected many people.
The notorious twins were deeply entrenched in criminal activities such as robbery, gambling, extortion, and homicide. It wasn’t long before they mingled with some of the most prominent figures in British high society, including politicians like Lord Boothby and celebrities such as Judy Garland. However, their misdeeds eventually came to light, leading to their arrests and trials for two infamous murder cases towards the end of the 1960s. As a result, they spent the rest of their lives in prison – Ronnie until his passing in 1995, while Reggie died merely two months after being granted early release in 2000.
The Murder of George Cornell
In the 1960s, I was part of a notorious gang called The Richardsons, based in South London. We were known for dealing in scrap metal and dabbling in criminal activities. Our group found ourselves in the midst of a brutal turf war with the Kray twins. My involvement in this conflict ultimately led to my tragic end.
On Christmas Day in 1965, according to multiple reports, an argument ensued between Cornell and Ronnie. Some accounts suggest that during this dispute, Cornell hurled a disrespectful term at Ronnie, which is commonly used to disparage homosexual men. It’s alleged that this derogatory remark triggered Ronnie to shoot Cornell in response. However, in an interview conducted in 1989, Ronnie disputed this explanation, maintaining instead that he acted in self-defense. He stated that Cornell had threatened to kill him, leaving him no choice but to retaliate first.
In the movie “Legend,” Hardy effectively brings the scene to life, closely adhering to accurate accounts and the published biography. While out drinking one evening, Ronnie chanced upon learning Cornell’s location and promptly drove to the Blind Beggar pub in London’s East End. Accompanied by his driver and assistant, Kray approached Cornell and fired a shot into his temple at close range. Despite numerous witnesses, no one was willing to testify against Kray, allowing him to go free initially. Tragically, Cornell succumbed to his injuries the following morning, on March 10, 1966, at 3:30 am.
The Murder of Jack “The Hat” McVitie
Around a year after George Cornell’s murder, during a tumultuous time for the Krays, an incident occurred. This period followed Frances, Reggie’s wife, taking her own life. McVitie, who had worked as a hitman for the twins, was once contracted to kill their ex-financial advisor, Leslie Payne. However, McVitie only received half of the £1,000 payment in advance and did not complete his task. Initially, Reggie seemed reluctant to order McVitie’s killing, but Ronnie’s urging pushed Reggie to carry out the deed.
At Cornell’s crime scene, there was just one bullet to the head. In contrast, McVitie faced a more agonizing end. Lured to a hidden apartment, McVitie encountered Ronnie’s harsh words before being assaulted with a shattered glass. The altercation between the twins escalated, culminating in McVitie being brutally stabbed multiple times by a relative of the Krays, leaving him wounded all over his body and face.
The murder played a crucial role in the Kray twins’ eventual downfall. Displeasure over the killing spread among members of their criminal organization, The Firm, leading some to betray their leaders. Additionally, as more individuals began testifying against the brothers due to fear for their own safety, this became a turning point that ultimately resulted in their incarceration. Thus, this significant case led to the brothers’ imprisonment, with sentences handed down in March 1969. Their brother Charlie received a 10-year sentence as well for his involvement in the murders.
Did the Film Get It Right?
A challenge with creating biographical films is the potential inaccuracies that arise from research and production limitations. It’s impossible to capture every detail in the span of a movie, regardless of its duration. The film primarily relied on John Pearson’s book about the twins for inspiration, with Pearson himself commending Hardy’s portrayal of the twins. Similarly, other close friends were taken aback by how accurate Hardy’s performance seemed.
As a gamer, I’d say: I had a conversation with a family friend about that movie we recently watched on Apple TV+. They pointed out some inaccuracies regarding the portrayal of Frances’s abuse by Reggie. Contrary to what the film suggested, Reggie didn’t seem like a violent person towards his loved ones in real life; instead, he saved his aggression for his criminal activities.
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2024-07-21 03:31