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The Long Good Friday

1980·Movie
1h 54min·R
IMDb7.5Metacritic828.0Rotten Tomatoes97%89%

Where to watch

HBO MaxCriterionShout! Factory TVPlex

Links go to licensed services. Data from JustWatch and TMDB.

The Long Good Friday fingerprint

High energy, strong craft, light on feelings.

Energy

Tense and thrilling

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Tension8
  • Adrenaline7
  • Violence7

Heart

Emotionally reserved

  • Catharsis6
  • Pathos5
  • Nostalgia5

Humor

Some dark humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Dark Humor6
  • Wit & Wordplay4
  • Satire & Parody4

World

Crime, history, and politics

Lived-in and easy to get lost in. Holds up on a rewatch.

  • World Immersion8
  • Rewatchability8
  • Dialogue Centrality7

Craft

Standout direction, performances, and dialogue

  • Direction8
  • Acting8
  • Dialogue Quality8

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography7
  • Editing7
  • Music Composition7

Who it's for

AdultsDate NightFriends NightParty VibePartner WatchSolo WatchPure EscapismThought-Provoking

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Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

Who lit the fuse that tore Harold's world apart?

In the late 1970s, Cockney crime boss Harold Shand, a gangster trying to become a legitimate property mogul, has big plans to get the American Mafia to bankroll his transformation of a derelict area of London into the possible venue for a future Olympic Games. However, a series of bombings targets his empire on the very weekend the Americans are in town. Shand is convinced there is a traitor in his organization, and sets out to eliminate the rat in typically ruthless fashion.
Cockney GangsterLondon UnderworldCrime & PowerPolitical IntrigueClass WarfareGangland ViolenceBritish CinemaGritty RealismMoral Ambiguity

Crew

Directed by:
John Mackenzie, Simon Hinkly, Penny Eyles
Written by:
Barrie Keeffe
Produced by:
George Harrison, Simone Reynolds, Barry Hanson
Composed by:
Hugh Strain, Francis Monkman, David John

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

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Questions about The Long Good Friday

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Long Good Friday legally?

HBO MaxCriterionShout! Factory TVPlex

The Long Good Friday is included with a subscription to HBO Max in the United States. You can watch it free with ads on Shout! Factory TV, YouTube Free, and Plex. You can also rent or buy it from Apple TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Fandango At Home. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is The Long Good Friday worth watching?

84
GreatGoodWatch score

Yes. It's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 84/100 (IMDb 7.5, Rotten Tomatoes 97%, and Metacritic 82). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is The Long Good Friday rated?

RViolenceStrong language

It's rated R in the United States. Content advisories: violence and strong language.

How long is The Long Good Friday?

1 h 54 min

The Long Good Friday runs 1 h 54 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on The Long Good Friday?

Critics90
Audiences81

Not quite. Critics rate The Long Good Friday higher (90) than audiences (81). It may be more rewarding than it is crowd-pleasing.

Was The Long Good Friday a box office hit?

Budget$1 million
Box office$500,000

No. It cost about $1 million to make and earned $500,000 worldwide, 50% of its budget.

What language is The Long Good Friday in?

EnglishFrench

It was made in English, with some French. Produced in United Kingdom.

In how many countries can I watch The Long Good Friday?

52AEATAUBEBRCACLCOCZDEECEGESFI+38

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The Long Good Friday in 52 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does The Long Good Friday use?

Bullying a DragonLondon GangsterInstant Death StabEven Evil Has Loved OnesYou Have Failed MeSame Language DubGreedDowner EndingShower of AngstEvil Versus EvilWealthy Yacht OwnerVisionary Villainand 87 more

TV Tropes lists 99 storytelling tropes for The Long Good Friday, including Bullying a Dragon, London Gangster, Instant Death Stab.