10 Best British Gangster Movies Ever

2. Brighton Rock (1948)

Don't be deterred by Brighton Rock turning 70 years old this year, because in spite of its age, it's an electrifying slice of British gangster noir, topped by an exceptional performance from a mid-20s Richard Attenborough as iconic young gangster Pinkie Brown.

While some of its impact might be dulled to modern audiences, having shocked viewers at the time with its upfront depictions of violence, the stylistic flair of director John Boulting ensures it's stood the test of time stunningly well.

An early sequence set onboard an amusement park ride is at once supremely unsettling and subtle with its depiction of murder, while the tragi-comic final moments provide a devastating exclamation point that a lesser filmmaker could've easily bungled.

Attenborough is fantastically compelling throughout, Brighton truly feels like a character in of itself, and the delirious camerawork is uncommonly exciting for the period.

The 2010 remake - starring Sam Riley and Andrea Riseborough - isn't bad either, but it can't avoid paling in comparison to the original adaptation of Graham Greene's novel.