We Still Kill the Old Way Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

When some disrespectful young punks kill an old gangster’s brother, a crew of even older, retired gangsters reunites to show them that the best way to settle a score involves dusting off grandad’s toolkit and maybe having a shootout in a hospital.

🍿 We Still Kill the Old Way: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Fallen Icon and a Brother’s Return

The film centers on Charlie Archer, a retired East End gangster who is brutally murdered by a ruthless street gang. Charlie was once a feared figure, respected and known for adhering to a specific ‘old school’ code. Upon hearing of his brother’s death, Richie Archer returns to London from his peaceful retirement in Spain. Richie, also a notorious figure from the old guard, is determined to seek justice for Charlie, believing the police are ineffective against the new breed of criminals.

Assembling the Old Firm

Richie reunites with his former associates, a group of aging but still formidable gangsters, including Arthur, Butch, and Roy. Disillusioned with modern policing and the perceived lack of respect among the young generation of criminals, they decide to take matters into their own hands. Their goal is clear: find the gang responsible for Charlie’s death and make them pay using their own methods, the ‘old way’ of street justice.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Richie Archer (Ian Ogilvy): The retired East End gangster who returns from Spain to avenge his brother Charlie’s murder by a street gang.
• Aaron (Danny Hatchard): The ruthless young leader of the feral street gang responsible for Charlie Archer’s murder.
• Charlie Archer (Steven Berkoff): Richie’s older brother and a former East End villain whose murder by a street gang triggers the revenge plot.
• Susan Taylor (Alison Doody): A police detective investigating Charlie Archer’s murder who develops a personal connection to the case.
• Lauren (Dani Dyer): A young woman saved from the street gang by Charlie Archer, whose plight connects the old firm and the police investigation.
• Arthur (James Cosmo): A loyal and seasoned member of Richie’s old criminal crew who aids in the vigilante revenge against the street gang.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Richie Archer or other ‘Old Way’ member: “We still kill the old way.” – A statement reflecting the group’s adherence to their brutal, traditional methods of dealing with enemies.
• Arthur or other ‘Old Way’ member: “These kids… they’ve got no respect.” – Commentary on the perceived lack of morals and traditional criminal code among the younger generation.
• Roy or other ‘Old Way’ member: “I don’t usually shoot fellas sat down… but this ain’t shooting, is it?” – A darkly humorous line delivered during a torture scene, illustrating their willingness to use extreme violence outside conventional ‘rules’.
• Richie Archer: “They killed my brother. Now… we get our revenge.” – Richie stating his clear and direct motivation for returning to London and reassembling his old crew.

💰Box Office

• Budget: N/A
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 We Still Kill the Old Way Reviews

Personal Review

Honestly, I went into We Still Kill the Old Way not expecting much, just another straight-to-DVD British gangster flick. But I was genuinely entertained! Seeing guys like Ian Ogilvy and James Cosmo back on screen together, playing these old-school hardmen, was a blast. Their chemistry and dialogue felt authentic in a cheesy, fun way, a stark contrast to the almost cartoonishly vile young gang. The film really makes you hate the villains, which makes the revenge scenes, while brutal, feel incredibly satisfying. That interrogation scene, even if not overly graphic, was tense! Okay, yeah, the plot stretches belief quite a bit, especially the police bits and that wild hospital finale. And some of the acting from the younger cast was… memorable for the wrong reasons. But I just went with it. It felt like a throwback, like an 80s action-revenge movie set in modern London. If you can embrace the B-movie energy and just want to see some old lads dole out justice, I think you’ll have a good time. I’d definitely watch the sequel just to see this crew again.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of British crime dramas”
  • “Viewers who enjoy revenge or vigilante thrillers”
  • “Those interested in ‘old school vs. new school’ conflict themes”
  • “Audiences who like films with ensemble casts of veteran actors”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Strong violence and gore”
  • “Torture”
  • “Sexual assault themes/depiction (implied/attempted rape)”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Gang behavior and themes”

Professional Reviews

• Fictional Critic: “This East End revenge flick delivers exactly what it promises: old school justice dished out by veteran actors. While the plot treads familiar ground and some elements feel a tad dated, the sheer charisma of the older cast, particularly Ogilvy and Cosmo, makes for an entertaining ride. It’s a violent, often darkly humorous clash of generations that provides satisfying, if sometimes improbable, comeuppance for truly detestable villains. Not deep, but decent fun.
• Fictional Critic: “A clunky, poorly executed attempt at a vigilante thriller. ‘We Still Kill the Old Way’ suffers from wooden acting, particularly among the younger cast and some female leads, and a script that feels like a collection of clichés. The direction is often amateurish, and the attempts at humor fall flat. While the premise of old-school vs. new-school criminals is intriguing, the film squanders its potential with implausible scenarios and a rushed, nonsensical ending. Definitely one to skip.
• Fictional Critic: “Surprisingly effective B-movie fare. The film leans into its ‘old men getting revenge’ premise with gusto, offering brutal, cathartic moments that audiences craving vigilante action will appreciate. The veteran actors bring gravitas, even if the script and some supporting performances are shaky. It’s raw, unapologetic, and taps into a relatable frustration with modern disrespect. While not without its flaws (the police elements are particularly weak), it’s a guilty pleasure that’s better than its low budget might suggest.

Audience Reactions

Watching the veteran actors team up for revenge was a definite crowd-pleaser.: Many viewers praised the performances of the older cast members and found the revenge plot against the young gang incredibly satisfying and cathartic.

The brutal ‘old-school’ methods used by the retired gangsters stood out.: The film’s depiction of the clash between old and new criminal generations resonated, with many finding the ‘old way’ methods more compelling (and brutal).

The over-the-top villains were effectively hateable.: The younger gang, though often criticized for unrealistic portrayals, succeeded in making audiences genuinely despise them, fueling the desire for their comeuppance.

Overall Consensus: Audience opinion is quite divided, but many who enjoyed it appreciated the veteran cast and the satisfying, albeit unrealistic, revenge plot against a detested modern gang, seeing it as fun B-movie escapism.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Actors Ian Ogilvy and Nicky Henson previously appeared together on screen back in 1968 in ‘Witchfinder General’.”
• “Filming locations included the Olympic Park in Stratford, London.”
• “The film was followed by a sequel, ‘We Still Steal the Old Way’, released in 2016.”

🖥️ How to Watch We Still Kill the Old Way?

To watch “We Still Kill the Old Way”, check major video-on-demand platforms such as Apple TV, Prime Video, Vudu, and Google Play Movies & TV for rental or purchase options. Availability on subscription streaming services may vary by region and time.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed We Still Kill the Old Way, you might like these similar films:

• Harry Brown (2009): Features an elderly protagonist seeking violent revenge against a young street gang after a friend’s death, mirroring the core premise.
• Get Carter (1971): A classic British crime film centered on a man returning to his hometown to investigate and avenge a relative’s death with ruthless efficiency.
• Gran Torino (2008): Stars an older, disillusioned man who becomes a protector of his neighborhood and confronts a local gang, exploring themes of respect and justice.
• The Long Good Friday (1980): An iconic British gangster film exploring the changing landscape of organized crime and featuring a prominent ‘old school’ boss.
• Layer Cake (2004): A stylish modern British crime film involving various generations and factions within the criminal underworld, although focusing less on the age clash revenge plot.

🛒 We Still Kill the Old Way Related Products

• We Still Kill the Old Way (DVD/Blu-ray): Own the gritty British crime thriller where retired gangsters return to settle a score. Includes behind-the-scenes featurettes and cast interviews.
• The Krays: The Autobiography by Reggie Kray: A fascinating look into the lives of London’s most notorious gangsters, often referenced in films like ‘We Still Kill the Old Way’. Provides historical context for the ‘old school’ criminal world.
• British Gangster Film Collection (Blu-ray Box Set): A curated collection featuring classic and modern British crime films known for their tough characters and London settings. Includes films that capture a similar tone or era.
• We Still Kill the Old Way Movie Poster (Printed): High-quality printed poster featuring the official artwork for ‘We Still Kill the Old Way’, showcasing the main cast.

🎧 Soundtrack

We Still Kill the Old Way features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “I Feel Good (All Over)” – performed by Bettye LaVette

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

They Messed Up With the Wrong Old Guys, Retired Badass Who Are Extremely Dangerous | Movie Recap

This video breaks down the entire movie for you! It’s a great way to catch up on the story or just see if this flick is for you before diving in; I found it really helpful for getting the gist.

Dani Dyer Interview – Difficult Rape Scene – We Still Kill The Old Way

Ever wonder what it’s like to film the tough scenes? Hear directly from actress Dani Dyer about her experience making this movie – it offers a cool look behind the camera that I didn’t expect!

The Girl Was Assaulted And The Old Man Stepped Forward.#shorts 1/3

Want a quick taste of the action and drama? This short clip gives you a peek at a pivotal moment right at the start – definitely grabs your attention!

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