Michael Peterson was born in 1952 into a well off Luton family, "As a boy he was a lovely lad. He was obviously bright and always good with children. He was gentle and mild-mannered, never a bully – he would defend the weak" (comments from his aunt). Somehow something went seriously wrong and he has spent 34 years incarcerated at Her Majesty's pleasure, 30 of them in solitary confinement. He has renamed himself Charles Bronson and is proud of the one thing he has in his life: his reputation as t find out more...

Martin McGartland was an unemployed Republican fence, a petty crime that led to the IRA kneecapping of his partner. Picked up by the police he soon found himself operating as both an informer for his Special Branch handler, Fergus, with whom he developed a close relationship, and at tremendous risk, infiltrating and moving up within the ranks of the Provos while routinely betraying their activities; the title coming from the 50 murders that it is believed Martin directly prevented. 'Fifty Dead M find out more...

After a brief introduction, in the 60s, to three young criminals, Lebanese, Ice and Dandy, the film jumps forward to the 70s prison release of Lebanon. It's the birth of a smart and ruthless organization which soon crushes all its rivals assuming total control of the Roman drugs, and other criminal, business. Their progress, and changes in leadership, is viewed over twenty-five years and is inseparably intertwined with the dark history of modern Italy; terrorism, kidnappings and corruption at th find out more...

As a movie this is a solid, dependable thriller with a really solid performance by Jon Hamm, as well as by a range of supporting players who turn in good, taunt performances. The one exception is Rosamund Pike whom is a great actor, but is ill-used. I suspect there were a number of scenes left on the editing floor. This movie will be controversial because of its depictions find out more...