I came across the Boondock saints by accident whilst trawling through a number of titles on the IMDB movie database, I noticed that Willem Dafoe was in the film but I had never heard of the title. The viewer ratings were good to excellent and the plot interested me, I paid £9.99 for a new copy of the film on DVD (Sept 06).
Released in 1999 with a UK Certificate of 18 the movie stars, among others, Willem Dafoe as an FBI Organised Crime Agent, Sean Patrick Flannery and Norman Reedus as the MacManus brothers and Billy Connolly as a seriously criminal hitman.
Troy Duffy wrote and directed the movie and his talent comes through in the way the movie is put together, effect then cause, the viewer sees the outcome of an action then sees the action unfold. It is quite difficult to describe as flashbacks doesn't do the style any justice. Its an original way to display a film and it is superbly supported by an excellent musical score by Jeff Danna, high tempo rock where needed to a choir of angels for less high tempo scenes.
The film unfolds as a series of distinct events, these events take over and shape the lives of two staunchly Catholic Boston/Irish brothers. A simple, yet brilliantly executed, bar fight with some local Russian Mafia enforcers leads the brothers down a very violent yet apparently just road.
The brothers, in retaliation for the violence offered them by the Russian Mob, take it upon themselves to remove as many mob types as they can. An investigation by a very peculiar FBI Agent (Willem Dafoe) ensues, true Dafoe style scenes can be enjoyed throughout the movie.
As the brothers mow down more mob bosses for fun they recruit a friend of theirs (who bares more than a striking resemblance to Eric Cantona - it's not him I checked|) to join them and help identify targets. All 'bad men' are on the hit list, no crime too big nor small does it seem, although they do start with the king pins, which I suppose is the reasonable thing to do when prioritising a hit list.
The story follows the mobs reaction, the FBI's investigation and the ongoing killing spree. The movie builds throughout towards a climax with the top dons but it would be irresponsible to spoil an excellent movie.
In the original posting of this review I forgot to mention that the DVD I bought does not come with any additional features or bonus material. I believe that there are versions with additional features on sale now.
Please enjoy the movie and tell others about it as I think it's better than most crime syndicate films you'll see.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
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Somewhat interesting review although if you've got the DVD and you're saying that you're reviewing the DVD as opposed to "film only" as the format you need to include details of the extras available and give some personal opinion too on the extras. Also I felt you could have given more of your own opinion on the film itself as this is what readers value :)
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![The Boondock Saints [DVD] [1999]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78522525.jpg "The Boondock Saints [DVD] [1999]")
Oct 17th, 2006
(Oct 18th, 2006)
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