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Killer's brother never spoke to me, says Billy Murray
FORMER EastEnders actor Billy Murray has defended his new film about the Rettendon killings, after it was attacked by the brother of one of the men convicted of the murders.
Murray, who played villain Johnny Allen in EastEnders, is the executive producer and one of the stars of the new movie, Rise of the Footsoldier.
He plays convicted killer Michael Steele, who was jailed alongside Jack Whomes for the notorious 1998 shotgun killings.
Last week, John Whomes told the Echo he had pleaded with Murray not to use his brother's name in the film.
However, the actor insists this is untrue. He claims he never spoke to Mr Whomes. Murray said: "I have never spoken to John Whomes about the film or anything else.
"I've got great sympathies with all the people involved in these terrible crimes.
"Prisons are full of innocent people, but this film is not about that. Until the final appeal is heard, I wouldn't want to say what happened.
"What we've done with the film is not say for definite what happened, but offer three different scenarios."
Murray, who lives in Brentwood, said he didn't want people to think of him as "just a cold-hearted film-maker" out to make money from the crime. He said: "If someone had come to me with concerns, I certainly would have listened.
"I just hope people watching the film will be interested in what we've done."
The film concentrates on the life of gangster Carlton Leech and his relationship with the three men found blasted to death in a Range Rover in Rettendon - Pat Tate, Tony Tucker and Craig Rolfe.
It opens this Friday.
Rise of the Footsoldier is the second film to be made about the murders. Bernard O'Mahoney's book, Essex Boys, was made into a film of the same name, starring Sean Bean, in 2000.
1:09am Thursday 6th September 2007
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CommentPosted by: Ian, colchester on 8:10am Thu 6 Sep 07
I think this is going to stir up a load more trouble, Why do people have to keep dragging these things up, and for Mr Murray to say his not a cold hearted film maker, I bet if he was to speak to all the families involved,he would,nt have made the film.
I think this is going to stir up a load more trouble, Why do people have to keep dragging these things up, and for Mr Murray to say his not a cold hearted film maker, I bet if he was to speak to all the families involved,he would,nt have made the film.
Posted by: The Vicar, Basildon on 10:29am Thu 6 Sep 07
Another boring British gangster film glorifying vicious acts.
Yawn...
How original.
Hopefully it will die a death at the pictures.
Another boring British gangster film glorifying vicious acts.
Yawn...
How original.
Hopefully it will die a death at the pictures.
Posted by: Burn in hell, Burn baby burn on 1:28pm Thu 6 Sep 07
These people are not 'gangster' - just greedy drug dealers.
These people are not 'gangster' - just greedy drug dealers.
Posted by: Canvey resident, CANVEY on 6:13pm Thu 6 Sep 07
Do yourself a favour and go and watch the film before you carry on with your silly comments. The film is not about the murders. It is about Carlton Leech. Infact it is a very good film. Billy Murry was not the only person involved in the making of the film and so it would not have made any difference if he hadn't been involved, it would still have been made.
I hope the film does very well [which I think it will] The film deserves to do well because it is a very well made BRITISH film. I can't wait to see it again.
Do yourself a favour and go and watch the film before you carry on with your silly comments. The film is not about the murders. It is about Carlton Leech. Infact it is a very good film. Billy Murry was not the only person involved in the making of the film and so it would not have made any difference if he hadn't been involved, it would still have been made.
I hope the film does very well The film deserves to do well because it is a very well made BRITISH film. I can't wait to see it again.
Posted by: The Vicar, Basildon on 9:18pm Thu 6 Sep 07
[quote][bold]Canvey resident[/bold] wrote:
Do yourself a favour and go and watch the film before you carry on with your silly comments. The film is not about the murders. It is about Carlton Leech. Infact it is a very good film. Billy Murry was not the only person involved in the making of the film and so it would not have made any difference if he hadn't been involved, it would still have been made. I hope the film does very well [which I think it will] The film deserves to do well because it is a very well made BRITISH film. I can't wait to see it again. [/quote] Why would I want to waste 90 minutes of my life watching some pathetic ganster fantasy film I've seen a hundred times before (Essex Boys, Layer Cake, Rancid Aluminium, etc.)? What do you think the moral of the story is going to be?
Crime doesn't pay? Wow - how original.
Obviously it does for the donuts who keep churning out these rubbish gangster fantasy movies for the mugs who pay good money to see them.
Last and only decent British gangster film was Get Carter.
Canvey resident wrote:
Do yourself a favour and go and watch the film before you carry on with your silly comments. The film is not about the murders. It is about Carlton Leech. Infact it is a very good film. Billy Murry was not the only person involved in the making of the film and so it would not have made any difference if he hadn't been involved, it would still have been made. I hope the film does very well The film deserves to do well because it is a very well made BRITISH film. I can't wait to see it again.
Why would I want to waste 90 minutes of my life watching some pathetic ganster fantasy film I've seen a hundred times before (Essex Boys, Layer Cake, Rancid Aluminium, etc.)? What do you think the moral of the story is going to be?
Crime doesn't pay? Wow - how original.
Obviously it does for the donuts who keep churning out these rubbish gangster fantasy movies for the mugs who pay good money to see them.
Last and only decent British gangster film was Get Carter.
Posted by: scubachick, Bury St Edmunds on 2:48pm Fri 7 Sep 07
I know Jack and the Whomes family personally and they are really nice people, the way families should be - looking after their own. This film should be taken as just another gangster film, I don't agree with Bub's name being used against his family's wishes - after all, Essex Boys was the original film and they managed to keep their identities out of it. Unless you know someone personally you can't make judgement on who/what they are and the media shouldn't be used to make judgements.
I know Jack and the Whomes family personally and they are really nice people, the way families should be - looking after their own. This film should be taken as just another gangster film, I don't agree with Bub's name being used against his family's wishes - after all, Essex Boys was the original film and they managed to keep their identities out of it. Unless you know someone personally you can't make judgement on who/what they are and the media shouldn't be used to make judgements.
Posted by: Canvey resident, CANVEY on 6:07pm Fri 7 Sep 07
Essex Boys title was used for the film, the land rover was used in the film, 3 men died in the film thats it, nothing more. The whole film [Essex Boys] was made up and said so at the begining of the film. Anyone who knew the family would know that and so be happy for the film to be realised.
Rise of the footsoldier is purely about Carlton Leech's life story, yes it includes the murders but thats because he was friends with those involved. As I said before watch the film then make judgement.
By the way are you talking about the remake of Get Carter?
In any case Get Carter was not a true story.
You never know the film may even help with Jack Whomes appeal.
Essex Boys title was used for the film, the land rover was used in the film, 3 men died in the film thats it, nothing more. The whole film was made up and said so at the begining of the film. Anyone who knew the family would know that and so be happy for the film to be realised.
Rise of the footsoldier is purely about Carlton Leech's life story, yes it includes the murders but thats because he was friends with those involved. As I said before watch the film then make judgement.
By the way are you talking about the remake of Get Carter?
In any case Get Carter was not a true story.
You never know the film may even help with Jack Whomes appeal.
Posted by: got you hook line and sinker, mouse trap central on 9:22am Sat 8 Sep 07
[quote][bold]The Vicar[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Canvey resident[/bold] wrote: Do yourself a favour and go and watch the film before you carry on with your silly comments. The film is not about the murders. It is about Carlton Leech. Infact it is a very good film. Billy Murry was not the only person involved in the making of the film and so it would not have made any difference if he hadn't been involved, it would still have been made. I hope the film does very well [which I think it will] The film deserves to do well because it is a very well made BRITISH film. I can't wait to see it again. [/quote] Why would I want to waste 90 minutes of my life watching some pathetic ganster fantasy film I've seen a hundred times before (Essex Boys, Layer Cake, Rancid Aluminium, etc.)? What do you think the moral of the story is going to be? Crime doesn't pay? Wow - how original. Obviously it does for the donuts who keep churning out these rubbish gangster fantasy movies for the mugs who pay good money to see them. Last and only decent British gangster film was Get Carter.[/quote] Hey The Vicar, you ask why-
"I would want to waste 90 minutes of my life watching a pathetic gangster fantasy film"
only to go on and say-
"I've seen a hundred times before"
I have heard of contradictions, but, that has to be one of the biggest I,ve ever heard.
I do therefore believe, YOU, are in fact the biggest donut.
Ha ha ha ha. thanks for making me laugh so much.
The Vicar wrote:
Canvey resident wrote: Do yourself a favour and go and watch the film before you carry on with your silly comments. The film is not about the murders. It is about Carlton Leech. Infact it is a very good film. Billy Murry was not the only person involved in the making of the film and so it would not have made any difference if he hadn't been involved, it would still have been made. I hope the film does very well The film deserves to do well because it is a very well made BRITISH film. I can't wait to see it again.
Why would I want to waste 90 minutes of my life watching some pathetic ganster fantasy film I've seen a hundred times before (Essex Boys, Layer Cake, Rancid Aluminium, etc.)? What do you think the moral of the story is going to be? Crime doesn't pay? Wow - how original. Obviously it does for the donuts who keep churning out these rubbish gangster fantasy movies for the mugs who pay good money to see them. Last and only decent British gangster film was Get Carter.
Hey The Vicar, you ask why-
"I would want to waste 90 minutes of my life watching a pathetic gangster fantasy film"
only to go on and say-
"I've seen a hundred times before"
I have heard of contradictions, but, that has to be one of the biggest I,ve ever heard.
I do therefore believe, YOU, are in fact the biggest donut.
Ha ha ha ha. thanks for making me laugh so much.
Posted by: Captain Birdseye, At Sea on 8:18pm Sun 9 Sep 07
[quote][bold]Canvey resident[/bold] wrote:
Do yourself a favour and go and watch the film before you carry on with your silly comments. The film is not about the murders. It is about Carlton Leech. Infact it is a very good film. Billy Murry was not the only person involved in the making of the film and so it would not have made any difference if he hadn't been involved, it would still have been made. I hope the film does very well [which I think it will] The film deserves to do well because it is a very well made BRITISH film. I can't wait to see it again. [/quote] Why do you want to see it again, didn't you get it the first time round?
Canvey resident wrote:
Do yourself a favour and go and watch the film before you carry on with your silly comments. The film is not about the murders. It is about Carlton Leech. Infact it is a very good film. Billy Murry was not the only person involved in the making of the film and so it would not have made any difference if he hadn't been involved, it would still have been made. I hope the film does very well The film deserves to do well because it is a very well made BRITISH film. I can't wait to see it again.
Why do you want to see it again, didn't you get it the first time round?
Posted by: jim thurston, essex on 1:28am Fri 25 Jul 08
the best was ROLLING WITH THE NINES more real ..essex boys was good ...rise of the footsoilder was bit cheese but watch few times and will proberly watch again...but to all the people who hate...if these films are soooooooo sad ...man..wat dose that make u writing bout it???? anyways keep makeing or kill sum1 and we can have new film lol jokes
the best was ROLLING WITH THE NINES more real ..essex boys was good ...rise of the footsoilder was bit cheese but watch few times and will proberly watch again...but to all the people who hate...if these films are soooooooo sad ...man..wat dose that make u writing bout it???? anyways keep makeing or kill sum1 and we can have new film lol jokes
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