''Empire State'' is a 1987 British film about gang warfare over American investment in the

East End of London The East End of London, often referred to within the London area simply as the East End, is the historic core of wider East London, east of the Roman and medieval walls of the City of London and north of the River Thames. It does not have univ ...

, directed by Ron Peck.

Synopsis

In the late eighties, investment and redevelopment of the

East End The East End of London, often referred to within the London area simply as the East End, is the historic core of wider East London, east of the Roman and medieval walls of the City of London and north of the River Thames. It does not have uni ...

London London is the capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary dow ...

is well underway. ''Empire State'', a sumptuous nightclub attracts crowds. However, under the control of gangland boss Frank Wright (

Ray McAnally Ray McAnally (30 March 1926 – 15 June 1989) was an Irish actor. He was the recipient of three BAFTA Awards in the late 1980s: two BAFTA Film Awards for Best Supporting Actor (for ''The Mission'' in 1986 and ''My Left Foot'' in 1989), and ...

) it's also a cover for gangland violence and drug dealing. As new investment capital flows into the city, a gangland turf war is underway, with the area's older generation of gangsters, led by Frank, being challenged by ambitious upstarts like Paul ( Ian Sears). When an American called Chuck (

Martin Landau Martin James Landau (; June 20, 1928 – July 15, 2017) was an American actor, acting coach, producer, and editorial cartoonist. His career began in the 1950s, with early film appearances including a supporting role in Alfred Hitchcock's ''North ...

) arrives in the city intending to invest a substantial amount of capital in the Docklands redevelopment, everyone becomes interested. Caught in the midst of this turmoil are receptionists Marion and Tricia, out for a night on the town; call girl Susan and her increasingly insane lover Danny , drifter Pete, rent boy Johnny; and boxers intent on proving themselves in illegal bare-fist combat at the club. Journalist Richard delves into the internal workings of the club, trying to find out details about ''Empire State'' and the criminal activity that occurs there. After the climactic bare-knuckle boxing competition, Danny finds Marion at the night club with her night's companion and opens fire on the club's entrance.

Cast

Cathryn Harrison Cathryn Mary Lee Harrison (25 May 1959 – 1 October 2018) was an English actress. Early life Harrison was the daughter of the actor and singer Noel Harrison and Sara Lee Eberts and the granddaughter of actor Sir Rex Harrison. Career Harr ...

– Marion * Jason Hoganson – Pete *

Glen Murphy Glen Murphy (born 6 April 1957) is a British actor and producer, best known as Firefighter George Green between 1988 and 2002 on the television drama '' London's Burning''. Career Murphy was the only actor to remain throughout the entire r ...

– Vincenzo * Jamie Foreman – Danny *

Emily Bolton Emily Bolton (born 1951) is a Dutch actress raised in England and the Netherlands. Career Bolton appeared in the James Bond film '' Moonraker'' in which she played 007's Brazilian contact Manuela. Originally she had wanted to become a con ...

– Susan * Ian Sears – Paul *

– Chuck * Lorcan Cranitch – Richard *

– Frank * Lee Drysdale – Johnny * Jenny Bolt – Tricia *

Jimmy Flint Jimmy 'The Wapping Assassin' Flint (born 6 November 1952) is an English actor, playwright and retired boxer. Early life Jimmy was born and brought up in Wapping, East London as the son of a docker. Jimmy started off his amateur boxing car ...

– Billy * John Levitt – Harry *

Ian McCurrach Ian McCurrach (born c. 1959) is a British actor, director, journalist and author. Ian trained at The Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and he is probably best known for his portrayal of the lead character of Pip in a Peter Coe production of Dickens' ...

– 'Metropolis' editor * Elizabeth Hickling – Cheryl

Response

The film was criticised at the time for its uneven pacing, rudimentary characterisation and acting skills of many of its cast. However, after the redevelopment of the Docklands area in the late eighties and early nineties, which had only begun when ''Empire State'' was filmed, architectural students have noted the contrast between the transitional status of derelict buildings and the imminent arrival of capital in the area to construct new apartments and corporate premises.Paul Newland: "Docklands: The Clearing of the Misery?" in P. Newland: The Cultural Construction of London's East End: Leiden: Brill: 2008

References

External links

* * 1987 films British crime thriller films 1980s British films {{1980s-UK-film-stub