'The
Football Factory' (2004) was a film based on the John King book
of the same name and was heavily altered for the modern age. Directed
by Millwall fan Nick Love and starred another Millwall fan Tamer
Hassan, as well as West Ham fan Danny Dyer. The film caused controversy
as it launched prior to the European Championships in Portugal
and many felt it would be a prelude to copycat hooliganism.
As a film
it's like marmite - you'll either love it or hate it. Some say
it's pure mockney wannabe tosh, and others say it's one of the
most realistic insights into the whole gang ethos behind being
a modern day hooligan. We draw no opinion on whether we like it
or not, but we were impressed by the number of casual brands that
are featured in the film.
It was
like celluloid heaven when ticking off many of the brands, and
we simply couldn't list them all below due to lack of space. On
this note, I think Nick Love made a very commendable effort in
concentrating on many of the details that are often overlooked
in these types of films - even if some of the items are little
dated now. I'm not sure how many self-respecting lads would still
be seen wearing a Burberry Harrington jacket, as it's more likely
to be a Baracuta G9. However, on the whole it was a valiant attempt
compared to previous efforts at this genre. I also felt some of
the language was a little wide of the mark. "Jog on you sigh"
is not from a vocabulary I'm familiar with following football
for over 25 years.
None of
the actors are genuine football lads, but they all made a real
attempt (even Danny Dyer) in evoking much of true essence of the
modern day hooligan. However, casuals are not hooligans. Casuals
are far more obsessive with the clothing element than identi kit
hooligans, of whom these characters actually portrayed.
'The
Football Factory' (2004) was a film based on the John King book
of the same name and was heavily altered for the modern age. Directed
by Millwall fan Nick Love and starred another Millwall fan Tamer
Hassan, as well as West Ham fan Danny Dyer. The film caused controversy
as it launched prior to the European Championships in Portugal
and many felt it would be a prelude to copycat hooliganism.