The Sweeney
2012, Crime/Drama, 1h 52m
65 Reviews 5,000+ RatingsWhat to know
Ray Winstone exudes tough-guy bravado, but this cop thriller otherwise feels thoroughly generic. Read critic reviews
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Movie Info
Cast & Crew
Jack Regan
George Carter
Nancy
Ivan Lewis
Allen
Harry
News & Interviews for The Sweeney
Critic Reviews for The Sweeney
All Critics (65) | Top Critics (23) | Fresh (30) | Rotten (35)
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[It] feels a lot like an American-made cop movie circa 1990.
March 1, 2013 | Full Review… -
Based on a '70s British program, this is a bombastic effort that, while not successful, is still as bracing as a cold pint.
March 1, 2013 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review… -
Winstone is, as always, perfectly believable as a tough guy and after a slow start - due, somewhat, to American ears adjusting to those problematic accents - the film hits a groove.
March 1, 2013 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review… -
Maybe it worked in the '70s; it's too worn to work these days. Ray Winstone needs to find better rocks to chew on.
March 1, 2013 | Rating: C- | Full Review… -
The movie blithely repeats most of the clichés of the American badass-cop flick, only in impenetrable Cockney.
March 1, 2013 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review… -
This might just be a British thing that we don't understand - literally.
February 28, 2013 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review…
Audience Reviews for The Sweeney
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Jul 17, 2014In "The Sweeney," London Police's Flying Squad under the command of Jack Regan(Ray Winstone) makes another stunning bust, interrupting an armed robbery in progress. Only to find out that DCI Ivan Lewis(Stephen Mackintosh) of internal affairs has issues with their use of violence. In any case, DCI Frank Haskins(Damian Lewis) covers for Regan, even as Regan is carrying on an affair with Lewis' wife, Nancy(Hayley Atwell), who is also in Regan's unit. Well, maybe it's a good thing there is a case to distract them all, a jewelry robbery gone wrong. As befitting a movie based on a television series, "The Sweeney" feels like a cliched extended episode of a police procedural, and one whose complicated resolution I still don't understand. But what separates this from mediocrity is the excellent Ray Winstone, simultaneously tough and sensitive, whose throwback look contrasts with the shining towers of modern London which is also well photographed. And as a bonus there is the thrilling ten minute open air shootout which is probably in the top ten all-time.Walter M Super Reviewer
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Apr 13, 2013An ok English crime action film based on the old TV series. It looked very good from the trailer, but unfortunately that is quite misleading in the terms of the film as a whole. There are some good chase scenes and action set pieces, although not quite up to Heat (Which one scene is very similar to) but it does have the iconic London landmarks in there. Overall not bad but a bit more action would have been great.Dean K Super Reviewer
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Apr 12, 2013An armed response unit attached to the Metropolitan Police targets a gang of international armed robber whilst being investigated by Internal Affairs for their extreme methods. The 1970s TV show upon which this film was based was in fact an extremely gritty, no-nonsense cop show that attempted to show life on the crime riddled streets of London in a warts and all, believable way. Of course, anyone completely devoid of imagination will not be able to see past the flares, side burns, casual sexist and racist attitudes and hopelessly out dated motors that were the hallmark of the time in which it was made. One such individual is no doubt the script writer of the big screen version we see here. No cliche is left unturned as an absurdly stereotypical collection of coppers, grasses, lags and geezers do porridge, get on the blower and bellow "Leave it aht, you slaaaaag!!" at each other throughout a plot that is so devoid of imagination it beggars belief. Ray Winstone is capable of some great performances but saddled with a character and dialogue of an obnoxious East End thug he has nowhere to turn except soon-to-be-forgotten pop star Plan B whose performance akin to a mumbling, stoned hoodie renders every scene he appears in nigh on unwatchable. The production value is TV standard at best, the car chases about as exciting as a Top Gear road test and the big set piece that features a running shoot out through the more tourist-friendly parts of London is so obviously a cheap knock off of Heat that it serves only to remind you how second rate it is in comparison. If it's a witty pastiche of 70s cop shows you want, I'd watch BBC TV drama Life On Mars instead as The Sweeney is as cheap and nasty as it is low brow.xGary X Super Reviewer
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Apr 11, 2013Absolute, cracking stuff, Guv'nor!Marcus W Super Reviewer
The Sweeney Quotes
| Jack Regan: | Put your trousers on. You're nicked! |
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