Dead Man's Shoes

Magnolia Pictures | Release Date: May 12, 2006

7.8	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 48 Ratings

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User Reviews

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DanW.Jun 18, 2006

I'm amazed how many critics appear not to have "got" this film. The premise is fairly straight and simple, but its executed perfectly, with brilliantly believable, well acted characters all round. I found the gang members' I'm amazed how many critics appear not to have "got" this film. The premise is fairly straight and simple, but its executed perfectly, with brilliantly believable, well acted characters all round. I found the gang members' unfamiliarity with death particularly well observed and portrayed - its not like drug dealers are constantly popping caps in heads - they exist in their own little world of their own creation, just like everyone and when that bubble is broken, they'll feel just as vulnerable as anyone else. The subject of Britishness looms large when considering this film, and is obviously the reason so many got the wrong end of the stick. For me, its the first "British Movie" I've watched in which the director feels no need to draw attention to, or emphasise the fact that its set in England. Noone hams up their accent in front of the camera for once and the script doesn't go to pointless lengths to include pub references.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful

RoseFeb 15, 2007

I don't think I've ever seen reviews on Metacritic so heavily influenced by cultural diferences. I can't believe the score this film got, although I think it may be largely because of the American audience. Dead Man's I don't think I've ever seen reviews on Metacritic so heavily influenced by cultural diferences. I can't believe the score this film got, although I think it may be largely because of the American audience. Dead Man's Shoes is uttely unusual, well made, superbly acted and brutally affecting. Just because it is unlike the usual predictable trite Hollywood turns out, it does not make it a 'bland English Death Wish'!… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful

NeilF.Nov 18, 2007

I'm sorry but 52% is shocking. This is one of the finest, most realistic gritty depictions of modern Brittish culture.

2 of 2 users found this helpful

RichR.Dec 18, 2007

Are you kidding? This is a great film, made even greater because Paddy Considine (one of the best actors in the English language, who stole the show in In America) is in it. Then, to top it off, Toby Kebbell, who is in Control, the Ian Are you kidding? This is a great film, made even greater because Paddy Considine (one of the best actors in the English language, who stole the show in In America) is in it. Then, to top it off, Toby Kebbell, who is in Control, the Ian Curtis movie? This is a stone great film. Perfectly paced, perfectly acted and shot, perfectly written. Paddy should get more lead parts. Few actors can show as much emotion, menace, and vulnerability.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful

DanBMay 11, 2006

This is a great film with an excellent soundtrack, and is very British in terms of setting and style. Recommended.

1 of 1 users found this helpful

DarrenG.Sep 5, 2006

Excellent little film. Its about time it hit dvd.

1 of 1 users found this helpful

BenjiApr 24, 2007

I'm disappointed in the state of these reviews, as with everywhere else. The film is without a doubt one of the most emotionally powerful films with this level of grim violence that I've ever seen. It forces you to think as it I'm disappointed in the state of these reviews, as with everywhere else. The film is without a doubt one of the most emotionally powerful films with this level of grim violence that I've ever seen. It forces you to think as it throws you from being right behind the protagonist (the truly brilliant Considine) to being sympathetic to the criminals who tortured his brother. The critics over the pond in the US need to see past difficult accents and appreciate the intensity of what's being said and demanded of the viewer. Plenty of US made films are no more comprehensible due to regional accents, but they seem to believe American is "the standard".… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful

MaseMay 31, 2006

Not nearly as vicious as people might leave you to believe. Sort of a bland English Death Wish. Spends way to much time with the dopey hood characters and too little with Paddy. Makes you want to the characters to die because they are Not nearly as vicious as people might leave you to believe. Sort of a bland English Death Wish. Spends way to much time with the dopey hood characters and too little with Paddy. Makes you want to the characters to die because they are annoying and not because they abused a mentally challenged boy.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful

ZeroS.May 12, 2006

It is interesting to see this released in US theaters, as we have had it on dvd in asia for some time. It is a provocative and at times brilliant study of midlands angst. Familiarity with the region would definatly aid in a better It is interesting to see this released in US theaters, as we have had it on dvd in asia for some time. It is a provocative and at times brilliant study of midlands angst. Familiarity with the region would definatly aid in a better understanding of the characters, as there true feelings are rarely spoken in favor of a dirge of slang and cursing, (they are gansters after all!) Well acted and dark, seeing this in the theater would be a treat. Ignore the "twist" ending as it doesn't really push things forward or back. What's done is done, and it's harrowing. Love the Smog song at the begining of the film.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful

DirtyCashAug 18, 2010

This picture is amateur hour at it's worst. From the shoddy editing to the campy screen writing (if it wasn't completely improvised, hard to tell when no real actors were actually hired), Dead man's shoes never aspires to be much more than aThis picture is amateur hour at it's worst. From the shoddy editing to the campy screen writing (if it wasn't completely improvised, hard to tell when no real actors were actually hired), Dead man's shoes never aspires to be much more than a low budget B-movie at best. The user reviews that you will find in here are just a joke. Apparently the entire production crew signed up to pen down lavish acclaim which will have you rolling your eyes in disdain if you've actually manage to see the film. Be honest and rate a movie according to it's overall quality and in comparison with other movies no matter if it's a high or low budget film.… Expand

0 of 4 users found this helpful04

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Biro_BoyDec 24, 2013

Brilliant film that unfortunately doesn't t do the transatlantic switch well due to it's loyalty to real England. It makes me chuckle that one reviewer said the characters were unrealistic, this is obviously written by an American whomBrilliant film that unfortunately doesn't t do the transatlantic switch well due to it's loyalty to real England. It makes me chuckle that one reviewer said the characters were unrealistic, this is obviously written by an American whom through terrible movie portrayals of evil-villains and posh butlers believes every Brit to be on first name terms with the queen, dine on crumpets with rotten teeth and glug tea down with our pinkies raised. If you've been to England, real England you'll know how accurate these portrayals of small-town drug dealers are. This is a great film in my opinion and in England it's heralded as such.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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MattBrady99May 28, 2015

Richard: [narrating] "God will forgive them. He'll forgive them and allow them into Heaven. I can't live with that".

the story to Dead Man's Shoes is about Richard has he always protected his simple-minded little brother Anthony. WhenRichard: [narrating] "God will forgive them. He'll forgive them and allow them into Heaven. I can't live with that".

the story to Dead Man's Shoes is about Richard has he always protected his simple-minded little brother Anthony. When Richard leaves the rural village where they have grown up to join the army, Anthony is taken in by Sonny, a controlling and vicious local drug dealer and his gang of lads. Anthony becomes the gang's pet and plaything. Seven years later, Richard returns to settle the score. One by one, he hunts down each member of the gang and executes them in increasingly elaborate ways as flashbacks reveal the extent to which his brother suffered at their hands. "Dead Man's Shoes" is a genre-defying film blending horror, supernatural elements, comedy, and social realism. Set in a Midlands village, it explores the underbelly of contemporary rural Britain in communities where crime is unchecked and drugs, intimidation, and power games are blandly accepted as the fabric of daily life.

"Revenge is best served cold", that's what they say and Dead Man's Shoes is that cold dish of revenge.

Shane Meadows the director of this movie who later on did This is England. In this movie I felt that Shane Meadows was building up to this big finale of Richard's vengeance over those who messed with him. Richard feelings and emotion really sticks to the screen without him saying anything, and all that storytelling was told only by it's tone and cinematography that really set's up the cold killing that's going to happen and Shane Meadows really mixed the tone of this movie perfectly to the point where it actually came off effective. Shane Meadows is a excellent director and Dead Man's Shoes and This is England are the perfect films to show off he's skills and talent at film making. Nicely done Shane Meadows.

In my opinion Paddy Considine gave probably the best performance of 2004 and in his career. He made his character Richard a interesting and understandable anti-hero. Him going out for revenge and him slowly tasting them at getting them one at a time is simply revenge story classic right here. You see Richard a lot but he doesn't talk all that much, yeah he talked a couple of times in the movie and towards the end of the film. I always like it when a hero or anti-hero never talks in film, it gives a character a deep edge to them and making them look like a complete bad-ass, and that's why Paddy Considine gave a stunning performance because he did all that and it's him simply at his best.

The cinematography in the movie really does set the tone of the film really well has the movie has that clean open environment but it also has that revenge looking tone that really fitted the movie perfectly.

The writing was good, the acting from everyone was brilliant, the director of the movie did a awesome job directing the movie and the movie's ending which I'm not going to spoil it but let me tell you it's really sad and quite moving.

For problems with the movie I have none to be honest, but the reason why I'm not giving it the full perfect rating is that I don't it's quite on the level of 5/5 star's and yes this did happen before with one of my reviews as I brought up that it's not quite on that level on a high rating, if you understand that. But I will totally recommend seeing Dead Man's Shoes because it is the best British revenge drama that we ever got.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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BuzzBeakApr 9, 2020

I've never seen a movie so criminally underrated. Reading some of the other reviews it appears that something has been lost in translation in it's journey over the Atlantic. This is an accurate portrayal of small time crooks in rural Britain.I've never seen a movie so criminally underrated. Reading some of the other reviews it appears that something has been lost in translation in it's journey over the Atlantic. This is an accurate portrayal of small time crooks in rural Britain. It manages to be both funny and horrifying and leaves you uneasy till the closing credits. The dialogue is punchy and quotable, and Paddy is it his very best in the classic British revenge flick.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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geewahJan 25, 2021

An original, unnerving and violent revenge flick that is well paced and lead by the excellent Considine.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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