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STAR RATING: ***** Saturday Night **** Friday Night *** Friday Morning ** Sunday Night * Monday Morning

This fundamentally pointless gangster flick (the story has been done twice before) gives Tamer Hassan the chance to do his typical gurning, foul mouthed cockney gangster thing as Pat Tate, whilst Terry Stone inexplicably plays the same character he did before, with the likes of Neil Maskell and Adam Deacon for support in this latest attempt to bring the true life story of the 1995 Rottenden Range Rover murders to the screen. It lacks the sappy melodrama of the dismal Rise of the Foot Soldier, but the same problem I had with that film seems to be present here: there seems to be a lack of depth, and the very interesting story just feels really hard to get in to. It just would not appear to translate well to film, surely one it would be better to read about. Great soundtrack, though. **

Didn't know a third film had been made about this subject but whilst stuck indoors waiting on a delivery (DHL late again) I just watched Bonded by Blood. First impressions after having just viewed the film are that it was not very good. Not totally terrible but only really worth watching if you have absolutely nothing better to do and want something to occupy your interest.

As has been picked up by one of the better revues of this film on here my main criticism is that the actor portraying Darren Nicholls (Adam Deacon) is annoying and unconvincing throughout. You spend a lot of the movie wanting to smack the petulant little fake scowl off of his face (the character not the actor) and you certainly don't empathise with him or indeed anyone else in the film.

I also concur that Craig Fairbrass's portrayal of Pat Tate was more convincing and accurate than that of Tamer Hassan. Hassan's Tate seemed too considered (albeit still a bully, steroid using f##k up) at times when the reality is he was far from that. Not a terrible performance just not as good as the one that Fairbrass did where he nailed the character in Rise of the Footsoldier.

The actresses used all seemed out of their depth if they were called upon to do more than be giggling fluff. I don't personally have a problem with that as this is a bloke's film and don't particularly want it ruined with dialogue about the wife's/girlfriends perspective. Suffice to say though the little acting that was required by any of the actresses was poor to awful. The only actress who was convincing at all was the "tart" in the nurse's outfit who was passenger in the car crash with Tate (Hassan).

I liked Neil Maskell's performance as Craig Rolfe, and this was a lot closer to reality than the one portrayed in Rise of the Footsoldier by Roland Manookian, although I don't necessarily think that was down to bad acting by Roland, just that the character was different (inaccurate?) in that script.

Terry Stone rocks up once again to play Tony Tucker and although his first attempt in Rise of the Footsoldier was a bit too cartoon this version seems a little undecided? To be fair I'm not going to criticise the fella as he is still learning his game in the acting world and how many different ways can you portray a one dimensional character like the fictionalised Tony Tucker? I'm sure the script called for more of the same but lose the wig.

Finally the Bernard O'Mahoney character played by Johnny Palmiero seemed totally miscast? It's not that it was a terrible performance by Palmiero but that it bore absolutely no resemblance to the real Bernard O'Mahoney in accent or stature. I much preferred reading Bernard O'Mahoney's books than watching this film.

I give the film 4/10. Just my opinion and I suggest you watch it yourself and make your own mind up. If you have the time spare of course.

I'm not too sure what to make of this movie to be honest. Let me just start by saying, I have a bias for low budget and Independent movie making. I want to see them do well as I enjoy a fresh perspective from the usual Hollywood viewpoint. Unlike some other reviewers of this title, i'm not all too concerned about how accurately the picture may or may not have represented true events. In fact, I really couldn't care less if a script takes massive liberties so long as it delivers a movie that is enjoyable to watch. So what I review here is purely a movie based on its aesthetic qualities and craft.

For all its weaknesses, this movie did deliver one or two good points which would make me say it is worth looking up if you enjoy your Brit gangster. Firstly, some of the villains were very well depicted, particularly the brutish characters played by Tamer Hassan and Terry Stone.

Secondly, although the movie has a weak start and a poor ending, it really managed to draw me in mid-movie. The build up between the two factions as they prep to go at each other was very engaging and really manages to heighten tension. I enjoyed the fact that the movie centred around just one killing incident. Rather then trivialising gangster life with multiple murders, it highlights what one 'hit' can equate to.

Where the movie fails for me, is with the character Darren Nicholls (Adam Deacon). I don't get why they found it necessary to have such a weak character narrate events. I actually felt I could empathise stronger with some of the more brutal characters who were at least honest about who they were, rather then this shaky character who really seems to do nothing but complain for the entire movie. Nor did I get the point of using flash back to drive the movie. I didn't think it added anything to plot or structure other then it seems to me the director was trying to emanate a 'Goodfellas' vibe.

A weak script in parts really lets the movie down also, which is a shame because the movie did hold promise. There seemed to be a feeling that characters needed to be portrayed in extremely soft regard when the audience was expected to hold sway with them. Again, this is why I ended up resenting the Nicholls character rather then feeling the intended empathy. It's also seen with the character Mickey Steele (Vincent Regan) where he is played as a compassionate man who takes in the lover and not really a drug dealer as he is just the 'delivery man'. In the first half he is overtly portrayed as the 'honest decent criminal'. Then, his character suddenly flips from being 'Mr. Nice Guy' into 'Mr. Hard Ass'. I can perhaps understand the intent -the deepening into criminal life forces itself upon his personality- but the execution of which was by no means subtle. A more honest portrayal from the beginning -showing aspects of the good and the bad throughout- of each character's traits, would have engaged the audience better and created whole rounded characters. There were also some really hammy lines thrown into the love scene on the pier and else where throughout the movie.

But taking the good with the bad, this movie does still throw up some great scenes. It fails by patronising the audience by forcing empathy instead of allowing the audience make up their own minds, but really engages them with some terrific build up. It manages to capture beautifully the exhilaration of criminal life, because as high and as quick as the criminal may rise, their moment at the top may well just be as brief.

How many times will low budget tales about these Essex lads need to be told. The film made no effort to show anything other than the tough guy 'gangster' side of Tucker or Tate. They were thoroughly unlikeable, and whilst Hassan gives a decent performance, I still couldn't care less about the fate of his gobby bully. Stone, meanwhile fares less well. Not sure what this guys background is, but he's not a very convincing tough guy. I think he has a slight speech impediment which may have been a character choice, but it didn't seem right for the part. I didn't believe him at all, and he only really seems to have one emotion. Angry swearing. The direction is competent without ever being very imaginative, and the film does seem to have been put together quite well, zipping along at a good old pace. It's not a terrible film, it's just not really very interesting. It's been done better, many times, before. There is a very clear market for these films, and I guess whilst this obsession with cockney geezers remains we can expect more offerings like this one. Shame.

I am so disappointed just travelled 65 miles to see this garbage. The movie has some good actors in it yet none of them show a ounce of any of they true talent.The story is poorly put together and doesn't really follow a theme or character from start to finish. The main focus is sniffing drugs and swearing and believe me there had a good true story to work on,Tammer Hussein who is a good actor when he puts it on was crap as pat Tate,Craig fairbrass makes him look like harry potter.This film makes you cringe at nearly every scene.

Overall not worth a 2nd thought.When will someone pull there finger out and give us another ROTFS or the business type film.

To be truthful i think never......

NOT as good as ROTFS! However... If you are interested in the now notorious story of the so-called Essex Boys, you will want to see this for completist reasons.

This film presents the relationship between Mickey Steele & Pat Tate/Tony Tucker with the ultimate build-up to the Range Rover killing in a way that ROTFS missed. That's because the narrative comes from the perspective of the 3rd member of Mickey's gang. This is a perspective which you can't help but doubt having watched Rise & which even this film admits with a post-script is a dubious account.

Documentary evidence aside, two questions arise: do we have some more great anecdotal evidence of their out-of-control behaviour? And, is this anywhere near as good a film as Rise?

Firstly, yes AND no. Despite the lack of Craig Fairbass there are moments showing Pat's traits which are memorable but NOTHING like the Pizza scene. Secondly, yes AND no. This film felt like a more artistically professional job but left me feeling less satisfied and entertained than by the gloriously over-the-top Rise.

There have been a couple of previous films about the Essex Range Rover murders. Both were pretty forgettable but neither are anywhere near as bad as Bonded by Blood. It's quite a rare thing to have a film where every actor on display is no good. You usually get one stand out performance but with this movie everyone stinks. Tamer Hussan plays his usual role as Mokney Cockney Essex wide boy and you wouldn't expect any different from a one trick pony actor like him but it grates on you when there are people trying to out " Essex " him on screen. Terry Stone and Neil Maskell are so over the top with their acting it's laughable. I also have problem with the director of this mess. It must have taken great skill for Sacha Bennett to make a film look such a mess.It has no form or structure and events happen with no explanation while other threads are dropped and forgotten about. The only good thing about Bonded by Blood is that the Essex tosser Danny Dyer isn't in it but that's hardly a reason to watch this trash. Avoid

Good actors and good scenes, some comical performances and funny dialogue, it's over the top but it's a good watch.

Im not understanding all the bad reviews here. I think to watch this movie for a start you need to have the acquired taste of east-end London cockney slang and gangster culture (drugs, sex and a lot of the word c**t) I was sceptical about this one... i kind of gave up with anything Tamar Hassan is in due to the disappointing movie releases he has had since The Business by Nick Love. I watched the likes of city Rats for example and was shocked he would take part in such a crap movie after the success of the Business. I feel like Tamar Hassan has been trying to get that 'right movie' of the cockney gangster that works well and has failed until this one! I saw this on Netflix so on a rainy day gave it a go with super low expectations expecting to turn off by the quarter way through mark. I was wrong, i was hooked on this one. Had a good few laughs at the raging scenes which are full of colourful language and i thought the storyline was enough to keep me watching. Stunned at all the bad reviews on here.

I've only ever seen Rise Of The Footsoldier which is based on the Essex Murders, so. I didn't know this was based on it until just watching it now.

The story is of Tony Tucker, Patrick Tate & Craig Rolfe and their rise to become the most prolific dealers and feared criminals in the South of London.

This time Tamer Hassan from The Business plays Pat Tate and he comes across quite menacing, but you get by your usual hard man actors in this.

The violence is brutal and every other word is always offensive sounding. I generally like these British gangster films and I was surprised Danny Dyer wasn't in it.

Same as the other reviews! Many better films like this are available. ROTF, The Business, The Football Factory. Even cockneys VS Zombies gave this film a run for its money! Same old southern crap, even the camera angles are off putting! There are quite a few parts where I think they ran out of ideas so decided to get the actors to say c@nt repeatedly just to make it sound more edgy! Crap film. With the actors used this could have probably been a half decent film! (Even though it has been done to death) All in all, rubbish film. A poor performance from most of the cast and many faults with the plot so as not to be entirely watchable! To be honest this film would make me ashamed to be "one of them cockneys" Luckily I from up north and try my best not to associate with people further south than Chesterfield.

I guess the British film industry will never get tired of the Essex Boys affair, or I would say killing, that occurred in 1995, a sort of mini Saint Valentine massacre made in UK. I have never been informed of this killing, except through those movies never released in France. But I am sure that's at least the sixth film speaking of this affair. I am sure they will make films about it fifty years from now. There were not so many movies about the Great Train Robbery which took place in August 1963. I like crime or gangster flicks from over the Channel, although they seem all alike. You have two kinds, the SNATCH kind and the RISE OF THE FOOT SOLDIER one. I have seen dozens of those features, and I prefer the second genre, more brutal and realistic with also less humor. One more thing, about the scene where the young hood is killed with a riot gun in the end; when you get killed with this kind of rifle, your body jumps to the rear, it doesn't stand still...Caliber 12 is not 9mm...

"Bonded by Blood" is yet another movie telling the story that "Essex Boys" immortalised. Many people wondered why we needed another one (it was the third released adaptation of the story, and there are now nine).

So what sets it apart from the pack?

Not a lot, it has to be said. It's really just more of the same for a British gangster flick; this one seems to neglect the real life details to just give you all the c-words, shouting, middle aged British 'hard men' and guys contorting their faces into masks of anger. There's also the usual violence - though nothing on a par with "Rise of a Footsoldier" - and bare breasts.

What's strange about the movie is that it seems to introduce its protagonist early, and then ditches him for other guys. I'm not even sure who the protagonist of the movie is, or if it really has one. It sets you up in the first scenes to see the world through the eyes of a young guy... but then it keeps cutting to other older criminals until it leaves the young guy out, making you wonder what he's there for. It seems likely that he had more scenes, but they were removed in post production, leaving a strangely rudderless movie. The older gangster types are pretty much interchangeable.

The movie is still entertaining enough, and for fans of British gangster flicks, it will give you what you want.

This film is a very inaccurate portrayal of the men. I found it extremely disappointing after anticipating it for a few months. I found rise of the foot soldiers to be much more realistic and I guess there is a reason why it is, as ROTFS is a list of events told by an extremely reliable person, an extremely close friend of Tony Tucker and also someone who knew Pat Tate and Craig Rolfe very well, his name is Carlton Leach.

However 'Bonded By Blood' is a film by Terry stone, who has no personal knowledge of the murders or the people involved, and therefore has painted a more hollywoodised version and transformed the characters completely.

For instance Darren Nichols was an Essex boy from near Braintree, and not a rude-boy type who spoke similar to dizzy rascal. He was chubby and was pretty unintelligent. Jack Whomes was not a tall bodybuilder but instead average height and plump. The person who really made me laugh was Pat Tates character. I thought Pat Tate was of Irish descent and not Turkish! LOL. Tony Tucker had a strange mullet type haircut, and was not often seen in a suit. Craig Rolfe is also portrayed in this film as a young wise expert in handling guns, and very sharp and of strong status within the firm. The reality couldn't be further from the truth. He was Tony Tuckers little runner, that constantly got shown up publicly by the firm, he was also rather dim and had no valid opinion in the firm.

All I can say is its a good film if you want to watch a snatch / Rollin with the nines type film, but if you are like me and have read many books on the Rettendon murders and then watched this expecting it to be a very accurate story and portrayal of the characters involved then you will be very disappointed.

As someone whose taste in cinema does not usually run to much violence, choice language or blood (vampires excepted); I really enjoyed this film! No mere fest of foul language, tough guys, hot chicks, dangerous drugs, big guns, oh, and a Porche for good measure - although it's all there - "Bonded by Blood" has much more going for it. Cleverly directed by Sacha Bennett, this film has excellent touches of visual humour, some very funny lines, and a number of intense performances. There is even a Shakespeare reference - but don't let that put you off! Tamer Hassan as Pat Tate, high on cocaine and drunk on machismo is superbly scary. You have to duck when he starts pumping out the expletives. Altogether a much classier offering than previous efforts in this genre.

This isn't the worst one, but it still contains B-Rated actors trying to piece together a badly scripted, violent film. Very badly cast, with a Turk as Pat Tate, Terry Stone relives his Tony Tucker role minus the blond wig he wore in Rise of the Footsoldier. Based on the Bernard O'Mahony books, who, comes across as a wannabe gangster who didn't quite make it. Fails to even mention the rest of the gang like Carlton Leach. It's one of those films that you can watch if you are home from work pulling a sickie, and don't mind missing part of it because you fall asleep.

The worst essex film i saw about the triple murder in 95. Terribble actors and acting short film NOT WORTH WATCHING not even a 1 star film

Personally I would not recommend this. Having seen Rise of the Footsoldier which is pretty much the same storyline, just from a different perspective, as it is inferior on every level.

Firstly the cast was weaker especially Adam Deacon, who was just annoying throughout, plus the entertainment of it was nowhere near as enjoyable such as the Range Rover scene was nowhere near as good as it just felt rushed. In general the overall manner of the film was poor and disappointing.

Regardless of Rise of the Footsoldier, it's just not a good film overall and whilst it did have a couple of decent scenes in it (which saves it from a 1), the majority of it was boring and not particularly enjoyable