Britain was a very different place in the 1970s. The Kray Twins, two of the most prominent criminals in the history of the country, had just been convicted, and, as a result, gangsters were at the forefront of everyone’s minds. At the same time, Francis Ford Coppola was over in America preparing to bring The Godfather to screens. However, UK audiences were ready to see a film epitomising the grit and violence displayed by criminals of the time. They wanted realism, powerful stories and harsh truths. They got just that when Get Carter, starring Michael Caine, was released.
On March 10, 1971 – just one year before The Godfather was released – Get Carter hit cinemas across England and proved to be one of the most influential gangster movies ever made. It quickly became one of Stanley Kubrick’s all-time favourites and inspired a young Quentin Tarantino. Over 50 years later, Get Carter still receives acclaim.
The Michael Caine picture punched a hole in popular culture with its themes of binge drinking and brutal killing. Described as “masterpiece” by Gentleman’s journal, it follows a career-best Caine as he leaves London for Newcastle, travelling north to investigate the suspicious death of his brother. Caine’s titular Jack Carter carries out a campaign of womanising, murder and exquisite tailoring across the city. It’s harsh, lairy, crass — and has been described by many as one of the best British films ever made.
Caine told a local Californian newspaper in 2002: “One of the reasons I wanted to make that picture was my background.
“In English movies, gangsters were either stupid or funny. I wanted to show that they’re neither. Gangsters are not stupid, and they’re certainly not very funny.”
Caine (who has since been credited as a co-producer on the movie) wanted to create a more realistic, grounded depiction of the British underworld on screens. He wanted it to include more violence, more outwardly illegal behaviour and even used his own personal knowledge of criminal acquaintances to inform his performance.
“Carter is the dead-end product of my own environment,” Caine added “and my childhood; I know him well. He is the ghost of Michael Caine.”
Critical reception for the film was mixed at first, but that has changed over the years. The film has now come to be greatly appreciated.
In 1999, the BFI ranked Get Carter 16th among the Top 100 British films of the 20th Century. Five years later, Total Film named it the greatest British film of all time. Other media outlets like Empire and The Guardian have also heaped praise on the film.