The Take

Beyond H.E. 2009

R4 DVD

This is the type of film at which the British and Irish excel - strong plot, first-class acting and steady action. It is hard to find a sympathetic character in the film as they are all dragged down, even the kids.

Freddie is just out of prison. He is a nasty piece of work, vicious, irresponsible and completely amoral. He fully intends to go back to his old criminal ways but there are some things he must do first. He is picked up by his cousin and lifelong friend, Jimmy, and taken to a getting-out party. The boss of their gang, Ozzie, is also in prison, and at the party they are met by Siddy, his second-in-command who makes it clear that he is taking over the gang and Freddie will answer to him in future.

Freddie takes his revenge on the criminal who didn’t turn up in time to get him away from his failed robbery. He is living well on Freddie’s share of the money. The attack makes Siddy irate since it was an unsanctioned action. Freddie is given a part in a security company holdup but later in the club where they are to divide up the spoils he is told he won’t be getting a share as punishment. He smashes a bottle and cuts Siddy’s throat. Later Jimmy visits Ozzie in prison and explains to him that there was a gang takeover happening and Ozzie is at least satisfied for the time being.

Gradually Freddie climbs up the criminal hierarchy, starting with running one of Ozzie’s clubs. He gets involved in Ozzie’s drug trade as well and is trusted with negotiations with a new supplier, the McCoy brothers. Impulsive and half drunk, Freddie holds up one of their dealers. Ozzie has to smooth things out but he now looks on Freddie as a loose cannon and gives the drug business secretly to Jimmy.

At home things aren’t improving either. Freddie’s tarty girlfriend has two kids by him and after the getting-out party she has another one on the way. Freddie’s whoring and drinking are dragging her down and she is taking happy pills and an increasing amount of alcohol to keep going. In spite of this she still loves him. Worse, though, Freddy has eyes for her sister Maggie – Jimmy’s wife. He is also sleeping with Ozzie’s sister and any other female he can get horizontal.

He finds out about Jimmy’s drug business and is extremely jealous. The friendship starts to break up. One day while Jimmy is away he enters their house and rapes Maggie. She has a child from the rape and Freddy now has another enemy.

With Freddie hated by so many people, constantly full of drugs and alcohol and less capable of running Ozzie’s business, Ozzie warns Jimmy that Freddy will have to die before he kills Jimmy. Jimmy, previously the weaker of the two, is toughening up and finally accepts that he will have to kill his best friend. Freddy, however, is also aware that Ozzie will have Jimmy kill him. He must get Jimmy before Jimmy gets him. He also arranges an attempt on Ozzie’s life. Before either of the men can act on their plans there is a tragedy that affects everyone and brings their lives down even further.

The four-part series was originally aired as a TV show. This is often a weakness because the breakup into episodes can cause viewers to “lose their place” especially in a plot as complex as this one. In a DVD reissue there is no continuity problem. The story was so gripping I watched all 176 minutes in one sitting. It is a superb piece of drama at its best and I recommend it.

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This review will appear in Volume 3 No. 3 of the digital and print edition of Synergy Magazine.

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