The lives of characters who live, love, and suffer through their association with the charismatic charms of gangster Harry Starks.The lives of characters who live, love, and suffer through their association with the charismatic charms of gangster Harry Starks.The lives of characters who live, love, and suffer through their association with the charismatic charms of gangster Harry Starks.
- Won 2 BAFTA Awards
- 5 wins & 8 nominations total
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Did you know
- TriviaThe original novel, "The Long Firm", contained five stories. "Red Hot Poker", "Dissolution Honours", "The Rank Charm School", "Jack the Hat", and "Open University". The first episode of the television show, "Teddy's Story" was an amalgamation of "Red Hot Poker" and "Dissolution Honours". The episode "Ruby's Story" was an adaptation of "The Rank Charm School", "Jack the Hat" became "Jimmy's Story", and "Open University" became "Lenny's Story". In "Jack the Hat", the main support character was the factual Jack "The Hat" McVitie. For legal reasons, he could not be included, so the character of Jimmy was adopted from the first chapter of the book "Red Hot Poker", to replace Jack in this episode.
- GoofsWhen Harry and Teddy go to Nigeria (in 1964), we see cars driving on the right-hand side of the road. Nigeria drove on the left until 1972.
- Quotes
Lord Teddy Thursby: Now look, Harry, you know I can't abide violence. I'm just no good at that sort of thing.
Harry Starks: Good thing I'm an expert, then.
Lord Teddy Thursby: I'm not hitting anyone, if that's what you're thinking.
Harry Starks: I just want you to reassure him - talk to him, make him see the error of his ways. Then *I'll* hit him.
- ConnectionsFollowed by He Kills Coppers (2008)
Featured review
More 60s gangsters - but these are really scary
A fascinating four-parter, centred on London gangland boss Harry Starks, and starting in the 1960s. The episodes are uneven, and occasionally implausible, but the series is made unmissable by the looming presence of Mark Strong. He is more than a scary thug, though he is terrifying in that role. At times he is stoical, and even tender, so that you can even feel sorry for him. He is countered by Derek Jacobi as a corrupt peer, drawn into Harry's half-baked schemes, with a splendid cameo by Phil Daniels as pathetic drug-dealer.
The London and Essex settings are excellent, capturing perfectly the glamour and seediness of '60s clubland. When Harry goes further afield, to Nigeria and then Spain, it is a lot less convincing. But overall a great series, well worth looking out for.
The London and Essex settings are excellent, capturing perfectly the glamour and seediness of '60s clubland. When Harry goes further afield, to Nigeria and then Spain, it is a lot less convincing. But overall a great series, well worth looking out for.
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- The Long Firm (Miniserie de TV)
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