Big respect to everyone here and all your comments. They're all well noted. Link for the book below guys, would love yous to read it and let me know what you think. To buy Stephen's new book - www.amazon.co.uk/Extraordinary-Stephen-Gillen-Search-Living-ebook/dp/B0CY9W268Y/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2YL53UCOLDI06&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.KDpU6tre8-ZNG69c6AuKiVk_Lpbr3ochWXxm4JODs_g6Db954eCSNnNph3im6HhTjpn2iKWdztdtbgY1GrOwFcfdxVhqO9sHtBXMvDC6uAtk3KfNj_UtPljcYqg-H_X5O0gmf_k9i1bpxrJ9jMznpQ.DQSUCQNVFBRkQTXqMY9L4h-pzuv4p2IxcuOCiB9M-V0&dib_tag=se&keywords=stephen+gillen&qid=1712593811&sprefix=stephen+gillen+%2Caps%2C63&sr=8-1
@@snoox27 I agree it's criminal pardon the pun, and ppl would probably still turnaround and say oh that murderer, and he's not killed anyone, more luck than judgement like. Ha ha 👀😁, there's a few wronguns who were close I think. GWAN CHARLIE, I hope he gets a few years in the countryside, I think he at least deserves that after the inhumane way he's been treated. 💙👀.
Thanks very much for the insight, I'm sorry I ain't heard of you before and I have read countless books, but you sound very well educated, pls could I ask and pls don't get offended, but what was your crime and I thought Charlie hasn't been able to be padded up with anyone for yrs, especially after all the hostage taking, and living in a cell within a cell for yrs, Thank you Stephen. 👍👀🥊.
That's when it is clearly down to who they play, serious criminal? You aren't winning too many awards, suffragette? World leader? They will throw awards your way... It should be about raw acting 👏
When he was listening to Hardy recounting Bronson’s story about cutting a piece of himself off to move on, you can see the recognition and respect for Hardy’s acting skills on his face. He was hearing Bronson’s voice through Hardy.
I love how much empathy this bloke has for Charlie's conditions being so futile and a pressure keg, on top of whatever issues which landed you there, can't imagine anyone would cope everyday of eternal hell and not go crazy.
Tom Hardy is the most dynamic and serious artist in film over his career. A real shapeshifter that abandons self to become the character. Great interview- Thanks Mates!
"you keep kicking a dog, don't be surprised one day if it bites you" powerful line Stephen. I was in the penal system only for a sort time, 16 months, in a northern Irish prison, but in the block I've heard some squeals from people getting bones broke and arm ligaments torn from the guards themselves. It's nothing compared to what Charles has done at all but I've seen enough for a lifetime in places like that, not oldschool like you went through but definitely some pretty bad stuff from drugs and suicide. All I have to say is I hope Charles gets to see a bit of light before his day is up and I appreciate your lack of ego and genuine care for the man in this interview, absolutely stellar, Love from N.I
Mate I started off in the early 60’s in kids homes and remand centre for boys , from there to Borstal & YP’s and then later on many notorious prisons including Grendon, strange ways scrubs Wandsworth ,peter head ,many others one day I I’ll write the book I have always wanted to write!!
I think you're spot on about the good points and the bad points of the film. I hope Charlie gets released so he can have a chance, just a chance, of living a bit of life. He never killed no one, the prison service went to work on him and never let up.
I love this accent, I struggle to hear that at all in London these days. And no I don’t mean foreign people at all, nothing racist about that comment, I mean the accent isn’t the same anymore among Londoners anymore.
Your right it was unique because it came from London with no outside influences unlike today's accent you hear there. That accent is still quite strong in Essex though.
Let's not beat around the bush here get to the point y are people's scared to tell the truth just come visit London urself use Ur own eyes and ears there's not many of us EastEnders left London literally has had the flood gates opened on it nd it is going under
@@richwilliams4750 Let them beat around the bush. They will be spat out and told, "I never knew you". As long as they weren't that dreaded R word that was created by the synagogue of satan, then it's ok
There was no remote coz Charlie always ate it....only way they turned it over was a full on volly too the side off the the telly..3,4 vollys...and if a channel skipped one too many Steve vollied the other side the telly....was a Russian telly I heard.... apparently still works now...
The difference with Mr Gillen is that I haven't come across a single instance in any of his vids or interviews where he could be accused of boasting about or even coming as remotely proud of his criminal past. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure he is proud of how he handled certain situations and I'm sure he has many happy memories from those times as well but he is totally building his rep around his repentance and doesn't encourage any of the usual hero worship or fear these guys seem to crave. Big thumbs up for Stephen Gillen
Any person that spends that amount of time in prison will find good times. That's not their fault, they are forced to continue life in a situation they can't escape. To expect any person to just dwell in the worst for all their time in, is not only cruel, but inhumane.
Well, you see, unlike many, he don't need too, he knows where he was in the game as do others who are of a same ilk and he knows how he done his bird. Ego tends to leave when you've been thru and done it all, along with the mind and values changing there's no need . It would be a let down to himself and loved ones imo
As a whole Bronson really told the story of how Charlie was molded into a unremorseful convict. The penal system really did a number on him, and was rightfully every bit as guilty if not more than Charlie ever was. I also like the way they went into depth about Charlie (formally known as Michael Peterson) having to deal with social and societal dilemmas as well. It really incorporated his inner struggles not only as a convict but as a man as well. All and all Mr. Gillen did an excellent job critiquing the film behind Charlie Bronson's earlie life.
He was a dangerous psychopath who didn't care who got hurt, he showed he was never going to reform his behaviour and now he's so old and mad if he was let out he might just grab a shotgun and start shooting people for the fun of it. Let him rot, he's scum.
One of the best British accents ever. What a cool dude. BTW, I think Tom Hardy is one of the best actors we have today, he did his job very well, too bad the writers were more intrested in shocking the public than telling a true story.
I really respect you for what you said about them demonizing him. "The press has demonized him and so has the prison service but he's a human being just like anyone else". I think that's really important for people to understand that he's a prisoner, a violent one, but he's a human being who went through a lot and never got the help he needed. Some people can rise above and others it consumes without proper help and unfortunately he's one that was consumed and the prison system has made him even worse. Rather than judge him, we should figure out how to help people so that they don't end up in the same position as him. Respect to you Stephen.
@@darrenhenderson6921 Humans take hostages. Demons are evil creatures that were never human and seem to not actually exist... Demonizing means we are not actually doing any analysis, no looking into how things could have been different, what improvements could be made so it does not keep happening to more humans... It is just smart to not demonize people since that closes you off from a realistic assessment...
Stephen surprised the hell out of me. I judged a book by its cover (past history) and made an ass of my self. Stephen is incredibly articulate and thoughtful. I love that I found his channel and will definitely enjoy his content and films.
bronson gave tom profound advice that is really accurate and true. Pain can flood over you..rejection can drive u mad. 'cutting off' is really how it felt when i was finally able to move on.
Thank you for sharing this. I live in Alaska and am watching this on a boat carrying cargo. It's amazing how far technology has come. I'm glad to hear Hardy captured some of his essence; makes it all the better. Glad you're doing so well in your life and look forward to watching more videos on your channel as a new subscriber. All the best.
All Charlie needed was some love, affection and a friend to be there for him or a family that really tried to be a family for him. Society let him down and left him to go mad.
Ha you try to love a self centered criminal I’m good here I bet if you met him before he went to prison he’s the type to cut your face you obviously never spent time with true criminals like people who don’t care and don’t want to you ever spent time in a room with someone who gives you the vibe you get when you’re walking alone in the dark and you’re neck hair goes up thank god my cousin knew him cause he you can tell and their always kind and chill but wierd in like you can feel you don’t wanna be alone with him like if you ever got the feelings not to go down that way I get gut feelings about people most times they are right you can’t save everyone some enjoy what they do but if they put it out front less victims comes like if they see I recognize my faults they’ll assume I’ll try to change but I am lazy and disheartened
This is a beautifully articulated and humane analysis and explanation. It does a lot for a normy like me to be educated and less judgemental about inmates in general. Thank you sir.
Just like Tom playing both Kray twins, he has to interpret what is written in the script and will not necessarily represent every aspect of the individual he is playing. It is a film. Eric Bana portrayed Mark Chopper Reid perfectly because he actually spent time with Chopper before playing the role and learnt specific traits about his personality.
Finally!!! A real one who is articulate, credible, and not big manning it or glorifying the life. Subscribed. What a refreshing change this guy is to the usual bell ends we normally get for this kind of thing.
I agree it need a more fleshing out of Bronson's story, but Tom did an excellent job in his portrayal of the Charley. The quirks, the mannerisms, the anger and tension that would just emulate trough the screen. This is really apparent in one scene. I won't spoil it, but, man when they say "less is more", Hardy nails it in this scene. The tension and the anger is just simmering under the surface, but he puts on a brave face and does what Charley does, something impulsive. More backstory would have been better, but the psychedelic style really brought me back to the 70's and I was only 6 in '74, so I think that helps me related to the time, because memories like that are in a dream state. Kind of what Charley was walking through.
For me the movie was a gateway. Without it I would know nothing of this fascinating man. After seeing it I went down a rabbit hole on him and even bought Solitary Fitness. Hopefully they let him breathe some free air before he dies.
would really love to see a series made of charlies upbringing and what he went through as a young adult to be the way he was to earn that 10/10 charlie bronson score
I’ve got PTSD and instead of treating me I was given drugs that changed my physiology, slowed me down and I call them a chemical straight jacket. I dread to think what they dosed Mr Bronson with against his will and how that would have affected him even more. What the system has done to him is unforgivable.
Agreed real men as touted their masculinity may be are punished and held down to save and protect this unjust system we have. I the past the emphasizes was on physical violence against inmates today you get chemically castrated. It's a hideous evil. The newest trick is to make ppl especially woman addicted to social media Fry their brain with superstimuli like 7 figures, 7 inches and at least 6'3 tall - in that way upper-class pr*cks bind 80% of all woman no matter the class. Taking away massively options for young low class men to develop their masculinity and strive for smth. It's all this social ingeneering crap of the Transhumanists. This upper-class families marry since centuries inside their group when famine, war and poverty f up the epigenetic of the ordinary working or farming men, this guy got always optimal nurturing. So they grow 3 to 4 inches taller as the other classes their faces more fair cause of good diet and they don't carry around psychology of scarcity. On the other side they don't develop the compassionate fighting heart cause they hadn't the necessity to do. But today's fried young woman's brain just perceive blink and shine of Instagram. And if you don't have it you don't make it. The gap is bigger as ever and therefore any low class young men look for answers to this unbearable situation. Crime was always one of the answers of the exploited and under privileged to get his needs met.
I had to watch the film a few times to fully understand what was taking place around and to him. I'm glad he had people around him who treated him with respect. Hard time make hard people and someday we will need and want people like Charley around to get us through the hard days ahead
Brilliant review! I love how you don’t just give your perspective of events or look at the factuality of things, but you critique the storytelling how the art of the cinema. Bravo!
I wonder what Charlie would have been like if he'd been to prison in Scandanavia instead, in one of those facilities with the philosophy that each prisoner needs to be somebody's neighbour when they get out. Imagine, going to prison and being treated like a human being. Hopefully one day we'll figure out that punishment doesn't work. You can't break a will, especially not one like Charlie's.
I mean what do you do with Murderers, rapist and thieves? People get all up in arms when execution is suggested but its either that or we keep them locked up. Maybe this is a hot take but if youre in prison for something heinous you dont deserve to be treated like a human because youre not if you're in prison for murder or rape you're a monster and your life should be considered forfeit.
@@erikcarrillo7378 are you really suggesting THIEVES be executed? Fuck sakes. I agree that execution is necessary when you're WITHOUT DOUBT executing the guilty, but others that simply refuse to be decent in civil society can at least be put to work to some degree. Honestly I think things would be MUCH different if the punishment fit the crime, sentence a rapist to being brutally raped, obviously execution for heinous murder, shit like that MIGHT put some shit into perspective for an offender.
@@erikcarrillo7378 The point is to fix people and make them function as a productive citizen... isolation is punishment, take away the freedom of choices and potentially future. A rapist that stops raping and help shape a healthy society is good no? I see no downside in making the world a better place... Suffering is not punishment, it's revenge. And revenge is not justice, it's personal satisfaction, and that mentality is NOT good for a evolving society. We can clearly see that with how the americans deal with prisoners and "justice". It's finger pointing, happiness from suffering and condemning them as shit instantly with no point of coming back. Imagine a world where instead of swiping all the bad shit under the rug, you adress the issue and try to work to make it better. You can execute all the people you want, lock them up to die or make them come out educated to be more efficient in their crimes. But the problem is not going away, even if hurting people you think deserve makes you feel all warm and fuzzy. Of course criminals won't get better if you ruin their future of rehabilitation. Or at least take away the chance to get improvement. It's medieval. Coming out of prison with a drivers license, a possible education and a chance to prosper is a good way that benefits everyone. Think about the US again. They pay their taxes, but the vast majority goes to warfare and corporate businesses etc. So of course you don't like to pay them. But in other countries the taxes are way higher, but it goes towards everyone, you get it back, and it shows, especially when you need it. Now apply that mentality to the prison system. Of course you don't want criminals to get out of prison, nobody cares about them enough to give them a chance to rehabilitate. If i lived in such a shitshow of a system I would probably think like that too. But that entire system is existant because the people are afraid to change because it benefits them RIGHT NOW, until it goes bad, which constantly is. Prisons aren't there to satisfy your hard on for revenge, it's to repair what society can't handle. So prisons is a gateway for improvement. Not a hole to toss your dirty laundry in. If criminals are rampart and peopel are extremely affected, fix your society, and the mindset you have is one of the reasons why things aren't improving related to this, it's getting worse.
@@Gnossiene369 As an American I have to completely agree with your insight. We do not have a functional “corrections” system. We have a revenge and punishment for profit system and that is not what a prison system should be. Our broken prison industrial complex is a mirror of the worst parts of our society. While Charlie Bronson is a notoriously violent man he is not the murderous monster the broken US prison system would have created.
sometimes though there are men who want to go to prison just so they can read the Koran all day and have their basic needs taken care of, so they have murdered a woman and just sat down waiting for the cops
Stephen reminds me of the late great Tommy Cooper! (The way he looks anyways!) This is the first time I've come across him and I really like how honest, grounded and authentic he is. A proper oldskool decent geezer!
His art is really impressive, at first i thought it kind of meh but the more he does the more i think he is a secret genius. There is so much going on in every painting he does it's like a feast for the eyes.
I’ll say this, Tom Hardy is actually a master “character actor”. By that I don’t mean “type cast actor” which most folks think of when you say character actor. Hardy, unlike so many “movie stars” who are just kinda themselves walking through different roles, (Keanu and Bruce Willis come to mind) has shown that other than being able to recognize his face, becomes a character. IMO, that ability is increasingly rare and always interesting to watch. (Also, that he seems to like dog’s better than most people speaks well of his common sense and intelligence.😁)
Agreed. John Wayne was always John Wayne in every movie. Same with Clint, Sean Connery and even Michael Caine. But Tom Hardy is always somebody different. EDIT - Same with Gary Oldman. Played Mason Verger in "Hannibal", Lee Harvey Oswald in "JFK", Winston Churchill and then a weird criminal in "The Fifth Element".
@@DaPeasant I hugely respect Clint Eastwood, but imagine if, back in the day, Clint or Sean Connery or even Michael Caine had been cast as a corrupt DEA agent or Dracula. You'd just have Clint or Sean or Michael wearing different outfits. But Tom Hardy and Gary Oldman adopt completely different characters. REAL acting.
You did such a wonderful job telling the tale. It's something to hear it through the words of someone who knows him so well. Very good video sir, sheers!
You just confirmed everything I suspected about Charlie, my heart has gone out to him over the years bless him, I so hope he gets out soon and enjoys whatever he's got left..👍❤
I'd love you to do one on Robert Mawdesley the "scouse cannibal" 😳 🙄 talk about set up..😳 I grew up with a lad who's dad was a paedophile, he was a middle child of 9, when the father worked his way down the line to him, aged 10, he stood up to him and blew him up at school 👍 he told me he was saving his little sisters bless him, he was an angry youth, always fighting with lads that reminded him of his dad, unfortunately they where big bstrds and macca was only small 🙄 so he always came off worse, 18 he's banged up for abh outside a club, he got something stupid like 4 or 6 months but his biggest mistake was telling some guards "don't point any nonces out to me" 😞
I enjoyed listening to this intelligent, wise man. I feel nothing but sorry for Charlie and shame for the system that has failed him. I hope he gets out soon.
One of the greatest crimes of this country is leaving a man like Bronson to rot in prison with no legitimate reason. It’s incredibly sad what has happened to him and it’ll be a stain on this country for years to come.
No legitimate reason? So beating people up left right & centre, taking hostages, all the nutty stuff he's done isn't legitimate reason for punishment?? Sorry but it's plenty legit. It's still a shame though, he's never going to be allowed to progress, how can he rehabilitate sat in a cell talking to himself? He can't can he, & it's a waste, I say send him back on the wing at an A cat for a few months, then give him c cat, test him for 6 months, then Tey a year at d cat, then you can give him a chance of a life. If not, give him a gun & a bullet, let his misery end.
Bronson should be released IMMEDIATELY and become your next door neighbour. One day he'll accuse you of watching him from your window, or parking your car too close to his house or not using the rubbish and recycling bins properly. What happens next? And THAT (very sadly) is why Bronson needs to remain inside.
@@raypurchase801 that's what people don't want to hear, he's a violent man and got more time for being really violent, should they just laugh that off? people say whatever but like you say if he moved in across the street they would be singing a different tune. it is what it is
Everyone will be judged at the end for everything and those in authority meaning the judicial/court system, prison guards, warden, etc will be judged as well.
You said something early in this video that struck home. "But he's a human being like anyone else" and how people react to their surroundings and how people treat them... I'm recently retired from working maximum locked psych units. The best advice I had in my early career in 1980 when I started was "treat them like a human being like anyone else". This served me well in my 37 years with violent psych patients. The mutual respect goes a long long way to having a working relationship in any institution...
There's obviously a line in terms of they are in prison, so perhaps no weapons or tools for escape. But yeah, I used to know some pretty screwed up people, it was a genuine shock when I started to work security and the folks I was securing the building against weren't half as bad. Having nearly been murdered on multiple occasions, I still believe that in general it's best to show people at least basic human respect, even if you refuse to have anything to do with them in private. I've certainly found trust and respect, but verify to be the right call in nearly all cases.
You nailed it Stephen Tom did an incredible job portraying Charles but the movie itself lacked, they should have spent more time showing how Charles became the man he is and there was way to much weirdo psychedelic stuff going on.
Well, we can all tell Charlie is a weird psychological guy... wouldn't say the oddness of the movie didn't fit. He is a unique soul, clearly. Sure he felt some strange feelings in the way he was treated.
The film and other media industries don't survive at getting to root causes when putting forth the salient trauma drama pieces brings more viewers (customers?).
First film I saw Tom Hardy star in, and I immediately thought "this guy is the British Marlon Brando". Good to hear how authentically he plays Charlie on the screen, even if the storyline could have been a bit of a deeper dive into him as a character. (Btw, Charlie should be out, absolutely criminal that man is still locked down).
I'm looking forward to the day when we see Charles as a free man and invited on to talkshows to tell his side of the story personally. "Her Majesty's Prisons" have had their turn, it's about bloody time Charlie has his.
I find it admirable that you have such attention to detail in reviewing this film. i think you really care about Charlie and i think it makes you a very good friend and a good person
I can watch the film Bronson over and over and not get bored with it. I wonder how Charlie feels about being released if he was ever given the chance. I can't even imagine the psychological damage being incarcerated pretty much his whole life would have caused him. Does he ever talk about being released, or doesn't he allow himself that thought? I only know what I've seen on TV about Charlie Bronson, but people who have done much worse have been released when they probably didn't deserve it. If it was something he wanted, surely he should be given the chance to spend his golden years as a free man.
Poor bloke is living proof that people that fly into a rage usually crash land and the system will always win .braking the law is fine millions do it every day just don't get caught
I loved Bronson and it's cool to know that it rates pretty high in the eyes of a man who lived it alongside him. Never been a huge fan of biopics just because of the lack of authenticity. It's great to hear that a lot of the movie is accurate but obviously not perfect.
Great indepth review. From someone who has actually seen the other side. Stephen is the evidence that shows stepping out of the dark and changing your life is possible. If you are strong enough. Keep it going
Stepping out of darkness is only possible with genuine good choices being available -- good choices that should have been available before the first "bad choice" was made, or at least a system to prevent harms from happening in the first place.
Bronsons advice to tom about cutting things of even if it hurts is something everyone should tale a deep look into themself and follow that advice . Brilliant advice and way of telling it
This was fascinating. Thank you for this and your insights. Glad you've made it out and are doing well and I wish the same for him before his time comes because this is over the top unfair to keep a man locked up for his entire life basically. He deserves better. Even in America we've heard of Charlie Bronson 💪
I think people by default have the notion that movies need to portray someone as accurately as possible, and that is what the movie is for. Especially if they knew the person. I heard that with every movie that people that knew the person would say, they didn't entirely get that person right. Jim Morrison. Andy Kaufman, and many others. This guy even said, because they didn't, they let the audience down. But the audience came to see an exciting movie. Documentaries are made to try and give people an idea of who someone was. Movies are to tell a story, in an interesting way, not just try to do an exact cover of who someone was.
I need to watch Bronson again. It's been since about 2010 that I've seen it and I'm grateful it's on Tubi still. As someone that was in and out of treatment centers for 6 years, I can somewhat relate to Charlie 🙏
Many of us know Charlie has been kept in the prison system for all the wrong reasons. Unfortunately they have only kept him incarcerated out of fear and have probably damaged his ability to integrate beyond repair.
He assaulted everyone he could get his hands on, both other prisoners and guards. He kept many people as hostages and people like u REALLY wonder why he is still in there, he’s LITERALLY known as Britons most dangerous inmate. So every time he assaults someone, time is added on, every time he keeps a man as a hostage, time is added on, people say he’s chilled out now. But that’s only because he’s 70 now. If he was still his young self he would still be assaulting people. The ONLY reason he has been held for so long is due to his OWN actions
Refn Winding usually takes the psyhedelic approach, this is actually very grounded with the guy. You could see a bit of it already in how the camera moves and certain scenes in Pusher series. With Bronson where he got a bit bigger budget and more international audience he started to take it more and more there. Obviously Bronson and Drive are still the more viewer friendly experiences than the later work where you will like it or hate it essentially. I think the absurd aspect of the movie works in a sense that it's so in your face that the viewer knows everything ain't grounded and it does make you search more in real life info of Charlie. Atleast I watched couple of docs, read about him, searched had he seen the film (yes they let him watch it) and watched all kinds of old news etc. footage. Kinda like with Chopper, the movie did the same for me.
Good work. Subjective and informative. As someone who has spent some time within the UK prison system and from time to time emded up in 'the block ' the thought of being banged up for years like that is horrendous. (The Block is solitary with nothing. Concrete seat ,concrete bed and concrete food.) Yet there are 'people' (are they even human?) Ie - bacons who have commited horrific crimes against children who get treated like guests in a hotel in there protected wings and get paroled early for 'good behaviour!' Charlie bronson has never killed anyone, yet hes still inside now! The system looks after its own. I liked the film and tom hardy. Hes a very versatile actor. From Bronson to things like Venom and even war movie's I always have a gander if hes cast. But yeah, the surrealistic element in Bronson while making it more appealing to their target audience could possibly have been somewhat less in favour of a more detailed view of the life and events that led to Charlie Bronson growing into the legend that he is today. Thank you.
Британская актерская школа отличается от других. Британские актеры-это штучный товар. Эксклюзив. И Том бриллиант среди британских актеров. Это моё мнение. Обожаю Тома ❤❤❤
Would have made a better series than a movie i think. A lot to tell... This also made me interested in Stephens story! So going to check that out. Obviously he's a success story and good on him. Turned his life around, obviously wasn't easy.
My analysis: I'm an ex-prisoner who did segregation in a "normal prison!", got out n went to University to study (Psychology, Sociology, Criminal Justice, and then Applied Creativity Theory for 10 years.) I became a Criminal Justice worker in prisons with young offenders inside the system working with Police, Probation, Home Office. Charlie is the demonised portrait prisoner for The System, he's a highly intelligent and gifted creative human being, it's his Creativity n mind along with self image of refusing to be broken that inevitable "forced" him into his anti system actions as his only means of actually maintaining his sanity; as all prisoners n POWs do to prevent total psychological breakdown..... resistance in any form is the only weapon that keeps any semblance of humanity alive in a persons mind or being. But, it's also his high level of creativity that makes it even harder for Charlie as the creative side heightens your self awareness, the whys n wherefores of yr own life origins, actions, thoughts, and social process into the system, then yr position in it. Ignorant, uneducated, unaware prisoners don't have Charlie's level of insight into himself or the system, so the emotional n Psychological pain of imprisonment for them is little in comparison to the physical, emotional, and psychological horrors and torture his has faced n survived. His continued incarceration for 'robbery" after 30 years (usually a 3-7-10 years max) is unheard of, and beyond punishment...it's simply the ongoing torture of a human being, who ceased to be a real Societal threat decades ago, and one of the many most disgraceful n disturbing cases of our Justice system. Charlie is not a threat to the outside World, merely seen as a threat to the Justice system both inside and outside if he is ever released, which he won't be. I tried my bit working with young offenders after my time, and I can tell u the system is not fair, it's riddled with corruption and many high profile decisions like Charlie are purely Political and not based upon the actual legal tenets of Justice. No Home Secretary or PM wants to known as the ones who let him out, even though it would be the compassionate and progressive thing, and humane decision for our Justice system to do. From the conversations I had with Home Office personnel during my time as a known ex-prisoner turned Justic Worker, is that they will never let Charlie out simply because of his fame now, not because he is any real threat in comparison to others who are released! ....except to the system itself via inevitable TV n media interviews etc. The Home Office simply wants Charlie to die in prison to draw a line under his entire incarceration and move on; At best Charlie may get compassion leave when he is known to be dying n totally physically incapacitated, maybe a few days before his death to see family; but even that is unlikely. In total, Charlie has already served the average time of 3 Life Sentence Prisoners, the average time served for a murderer before parole being about 10-12 years!! The UK claims not to condone torture.🙏
Makes me sad to think that it's a strong possibility that Charles may not get to walk about as a free man again even after all the money he has raised for charity, let the man enjoy a little freedom before it most likely freaks him out and ends back inside anyway
My dear friend knew Charlie very well..tried for years to get him out ..but unfortunately my friend died eleven years ago he was a great mate to a lot of people and him and Charlie were very close...I will say Tom Hardy did do a great job..I do believe Charlie did approve 👍 please he's done his time over let him go...
@@jakethemuss5678 well he hasn't been released but think everyone is innocent at birth no one is a killer when there born he says his family was good to him so society let him down 🙄 angry at the world I bet so is everyone......
I really like this gent Gillen. I can tell he's been though a few things and come out talking straight and full of wisdom. I can also tell he is as real as it gets and 100% reliable in action. His appearance, the way he talks, he reminds me of the UK Italians.
My brother in-law, sadly passed now, spent a while as Charlie's neighbour when they were both guests at an establishment owned by the Queen. He had some funny stories to tell, spoke well of Charlie said he was really funny and is mentioned in Charlie's book
Just subscribed, spent a few years in jail myself all petty crime when i was in my youth 25 years ago your stories make mine look silly 😂 love watching your videos keep up the great work big thumbs up.
Watched ya channel from time to time, and from ya past to the present I say you are a absolute inspiration and I congratulate you sir !!! Long life and happiness is my wish for you 🙏
Spent a year in Stafford seg unit when i was young and you meet some characters in neighbouring cells , we would talk where the heating pipe enters the neighbours cell to keep sane. At shower time the screws would come with riot gear and shields and youre treated less than human. The worse thing was in the hight of very hot summer when two lads held a month long dirty protest God it stunk like hell down in that seg basement.
As you're a film maker and have done 17 straight with our British icon Charlie himself i personally "would love to see you make a movie on him wow imagine" and well-done my guy on surviving one of the 9 circle's of hell your a true "INSPIRATION"
i think the main message of the bronson movie is fear versus respect. if you respect some dudes, they dont mess with you, however if you disrespect they will settle for fear.
Big respect to everyone here and all your comments. They're all well noted. Link for the book below guys, would love yous to read it and let me know what you think.
To buy Stephen's new book - www.amazon.co.uk/Extraordinary-Stephen-Gillen-Search-Living-ebook/dp/B0CY9W268Y/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2YL53UCOLDI06&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.KDpU6tre8-ZNG69c6AuKiVk_Lpbr3ochWXxm4JODs_g6Db954eCSNnNph3im6HhTjpn2iKWdztdtbgY1GrOwFcfdxVhqO9sHtBXMvDC6uAtk3KfNj_UtPljcYqg-H_X5O0gmf_k9i1bpxrJ9jMznpQ.DQSUCQNVFBRkQTXqMY9L4h-pzuv4p2IxcuOCiB9M-V0&dib_tag=se&keywords=stephen+gillen&qid=1712593811&sprefix=stephen+gillen+%2Caps%2C63&sr=8-1
I think it's criminal hes still locked up.
@@snoox27 I agree it's criminal pardon the pun, and ppl would probably still turnaround and say oh that murderer, and he's not killed anyone, more luck than judgement like. Ha ha 👀😁, there's a few wronguns who were close I think. GWAN CHARLIE, I hope he gets a few years in the countryside, I think he at least deserves that after the inhumane way he's been treated. 💙👀.
Thanks very much for the insight, I'm sorry I ain't heard of you before and I have read countless books, but you sound very well educated, pls could I ask and pls don't get offended, but what was your crime and I thought Charlie hasn't been able to be padded up with anyone for yrs, especially after all the hostage taking, and living in a cell within a cell for yrs, Thank you Stephen. 👍👀🥊.
@stephen.gillen Are you a Robert De Niro fan? You have his mannerisms, imo.
How Tom Hardy didn't win every acting award in the world for this is a mystery.
the movie was meh. Hardy did a good job.
I agree, it's purely down to who he played 🤔
@@CUSELİSFAN you're opinion is MEH
How he didn't win a major award in general is beyond me.
That's when it is clearly down to who they play, serious criminal? You aren't winning too many awards, suffragette? World leader? They will throw awards your way... It should be about raw acting 👏
When he was listening to Hardy recounting Bronson’s story about cutting a piece of himself off to move on, you can see the recognition and respect for Hardy’s acting skills on his face. He was hearing Bronson’s voice through Hardy.
Hardy also got Bronsons line into his portrayal of Ronnie Kray in Legend.
You can tell this guy is the genuine article. He wouldn't throw or allow an ounce of shade towards Charlie and gave him a proper send up. Top bloke.
I love how much empathy this bloke has for Charlie's conditions being so futile and a pressure keg, on top of whatever issues which landed you there, can't imagine anyone would cope everyday of eternal hell and not go crazy.
Tom Hardy is the most dynamic and serious artist in film over his career. A real shapeshifter that abandons self to become the character. Great interview- Thanks Mates!
Tom Hardy is incredible. Such an amazing actor.
I was very lucky to have a part in this film, to say it was the best experience of my life.
U were so lucky what part did u play??
"you keep kicking a dog, don't be surprised one day if it bites you" powerful line Stephen. I was in the penal system only for a sort time, 16 months, in a northern Irish prison, but in the block I've heard some squeals from people getting bones broke and arm ligaments torn from the guards themselves. It's nothing compared to what Charles has done at all but I've seen enough for a lifetime in places like that, not oldschool like you went through but definitely some pretty bad stuff from drugs and suicide. All I have to say is I hope Charles gets to see a bit of light before his day is up and I appreciate your lack of ego and genuine care for the man in this interview, absolutely stellar, Love from N.I
Alright nero mate from Belfast hear wat clink did ya go till if ya don't mind me asking
@@Galexsy-b2z Maghaberry for 4 months and the rest in Magilligan lad.
@@NeroZenith nice 1 fella
Mate I started off in the early 60’s in kids homes and remand centre for boys , from there to Borstal & YP’s and then later on many notorious prisons including Grendon, strange ways scrubs Wandsworth ,peter head ,many others one day I I’ll write the book I have always wanted to write!!
I heard northern irish prisons were a walk jn the park. Can i ask js it better to be protestant or catholic in a northern irish prison? Thanks
I think you're spot on about the good points and the bad points of the film. I hope Charlie gets released so he can have a chance, just a chance, of living a bit of life. He never killed no one, the prison service went to work on him and never let up.
I hope Charlie gets to be your next door neighbour.
That'll be OK, right? Right?
@@raypurchase801 Ray bloody Purchase!
@@dexocube Is that you, Clem?
Wait, do you guys know each other?
Well said.
I love this accent, I struggle to hear that at all in London these days. And no I don’t mean foreign people at all, nothing racist about that comment, I mean the accent isn’t the same anymore among Londoners anymore.
Your right it was unique because it came from London with no outside influences unlike today's accent you hear there. That accent is still quite strong in Essex though.
Let's not beat around the bush here get to the point y are people's scared to tell the truth just come visit London urself use Ur own eyes and ears there's not many of us EastEnders left London literally has had the flood gates opened on it nd it is going under
@@richwilliams4750 Let them beat around the bush. They will be spat out and told, "I never knew you".
As long as they weren't that dreaded R word that was created by the synagogue of satan, then it's ok
You hear the London accent all the time 🤷🏻♂️
My mate from Bethnal Green has a dead ringer accent, a straight up and down bloke who breaks out laughing at himself when he tries to tell you a lie.
Him talking about Tom Hardy was really heartwarming 😅
Bronsons cell mate? I bet I know who had the remote controller for the tv!
There was no remote coz Charlie always ate it....only way they turned it over was a full on volly too the side off the the telly..3,4 vollys...and if a channel skipped one too many Steve vollied the other side the telly....was a Russian telly I heard.... apparently still works now...
Yeah no TVs in that cell block.haha
Cell mate to a cat A prisoner? I smell bullshit.
Not Bronson because he a little girl
Remote control bought from a can of tuna
This guy does a great job of critiquing the film and painting a picture of what prison and Charlie are like.
The difference with Mr Gillen is that I haven't come across a single instance in any of his vids or interviews where he could be accused of boasting about or even coming as remotely proud of his criminal past. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure he is proud of how he handled certain situations and I'm sure he has many happy memories from those times as well but he is totally building his rep around his repentance and doesn't encourage any of the usual hero worship or fear these guys seem to crave.
Big thumbs up for Stephen Gillen
He's just telling the story how it is no glory. Gotta respect it 17 years in four walls will change a man's perspective on life
COs used to get mad at me in MDOC bcuz I told them and showed them it would not change me! lmao
Any person that spends that amount of time in prison will find good times. That's not their fault, they are forced to continue life in a situation they can't escape. To expect any person to just dwell in the worst for all their time in, is not only cruel, but inhumane.
I'm saying this in context, not as n response. No one here implied anything other.
Well, you see, unlike many, he don't need too, he knows where he was in the game as do others who are of a same ilk and he knows how he done his bird. Ego tends to leave when you've been thru and done it all, along with the mind and values changing there's no need . It would be a let down to himself and loved ones imo
I love how naturally camera ready these old crime dudes are
they all are story tellers. gangsters love stories lol
Also to be fair you live a life of danger a camera probably doesn't seem very scary.
@@rogerdalzell They also often like to construct their own narratives lmao
That’s just any average human though
Yeah, it's almost like they're paid actors....I work in this industry, don't believe half the shit from these channels, most of it is fake with actors
As a whole Bronson really told the story of how Charlie was molded into a unremorseful convict. The penal system really did a number on him, and was rightfully every bit as guilty if not more than Charlie ever was. I also like the way they went into depth about Charlie (formally known as Michael Peterson) having to deal with social and societal dilemmas as well. It really incorporated his inner struggles not only as a convict but as a man as well. All and all Mr. Gillen did an excellent job critiquing the film behind Charlie Bronson's earlie life.
He was a dangerous psychopath who didn't care who got hurt, he showed he was never going to reform his behaviour and now he's so old and mad if he was let out he might just grab a shotgun and start shooting people for the fun of it. Let him rot, he's scum.
Penal😄😁😁
One of the best British accents ever. What a cool dude. BTW, I think Tom Hardy is one of the best actors we have today, he did his job very well, too bad the writers were more intrested in shocking the public than telling a true story.
He’s actually British if I’m not mistaken
dude does a legit film critique and is very intelligent and emotionally intelligent. It was really refreshing and I am impressed.
I really respect you for what you said about them demonizing him. "The press has demonized him and so has the prison service but he's a human being just like anyone else". I think that's really important for people to understand that he's a prisoner, a violent one, but he's a human being who went through a lot and never got the help he needed. Some people can rise above and others it consumes without proper help and unfortunately he's one that was consumed and the prison system has made him even worse. Rather than judge him, we should figure out how to help people so that they don't end up in the same position as him. Respect to you Stephen.
I like him and I've been to jail myself but he's demonized them by taking them hostage, he brought it all in himself.
Real talk!!!
U guys are too nice to him he has victims and would victimize u if he could
@@darrenhenderson6921 Humans take hostages. Demons are evil creatures that were never human and seem to not actually exist... Demonizing means we are not actually doing any analysis, no looking into how things could have been different, what improvements could be made so it does not keep happening to more humans... It is just smart to not demonize people since that closes you off from a realistic assessment...
well he may have been violent but was doing more hard time than m urderers who have taken multiple lives
Im glad that he seems pleased with Hardy's perfomance and gives us a look into how he truly was when they were cell mates
Stephen surprised the hell out of me. I judged a book by its cover (past history) and made an ass of my self. Stephen is incredibly articulate and thoughtful. I love that I found his channel and will definitely enjoy his content and films.
As someone who knows being locked up, your expression at 2:57 pulled on my heartstrings.
bronson gave tom profound advice that is really accurate and true. Pain can flood over you..rejection can drive u mad. 'cutting off' is really how it felt when i was finally able to move on.
This guy is great. Very well spoken and no big ego.
"We'll have a Guinness later"
I died 😂
Really!!
Film and actor should have been Oscar nommed. Film of the year.
Thank you for sharing this. I live in Alaska and am watching this on a boat carrying cargo. It's amazing how far technology has come. I'm glad to hear Hardy captured some of his essence; makes it all the better. Glad you're doing so well in your life and look forward to watching more videos on your channel as a new subscriber. All the best.
Woahhhh that's awesome dude
Right on Shane, thank you for your lovely comment. Stay safe in those cold waters brother
👍👍
All Charlie needed was some love, affection and a friend to be there for him or a family that really tried to be a family for him. Society let him down and left him to go mad.
that is so true
Ha you try to love a self centered criminal I’m good here I bet if you met him before he went to prison he’s the type to cut your face you obviously never spent time with true criminals like people who don’t care and don’t want to you ever spent time in a room with someone who gives you the vibe you get when you’re walking alone in the dark and you’re neck hair goes up thank god my cousin knew him cause he you can tell and their always kind and chill but wierd in like you can feel you don’t wanna be alone with him like if you ever got the feelings not to go down that way I get gut feelings about people most times they are right you can’t save everyone some enjoy what they do but if they put it out front less victims comes like if they see I recognize my faults they’ll assume I’ll try to change but I am lazy and disheartened
his family loved him watch the documentary
This is a beautifully articulated and humane analysis and explanation. It does a lot for a normy like me to be educated and less judgemental about inmates in general. Thank you sir.
Just like Tom playing both Kray twins, he has to interpret what is written in the script and will not necessarily represent every aspect of the individual he is playing. It is a film. Eric Bana portrayed Mark Chopper Reid perfectly because he actually spent time with Chopper before playing the role and learnt specific traits about his personality.
so did Tom Hardy
@@bradbennett9970 I have not seen the film or really know much about Bronson, but apparently he enjoyed Hardy's portrayal.
"Neville!, I heard you wanna give me a bit of money"
@@Viney209 🤣
"There's no cash here Chopper, cash none".
You’ve been rude chop, very very rude.
Finally!!! A real one who is articulate, credible, and not big manning it or glorifying the life. Subscribed. What a refreshing change this guy is to the usual bell ends we normally get for this kind of thing.
This is a highly articulate account from someone who's walked the walk. Great insight. 👍
I agree it need a more fleshing out of Bronson's story, but Tom did an excellent job in his portrayal of the Charley. The quirks, the mannerisms, the anger and tension that would just emulate trough the screen. This is really apparent in one scene. I won't spoil it, but, man when they say "less is more", Hardy nails it in this scene. The tension and the anger is just simmering under the surface, but he puts on a brave face and does what Charley does, something impulsive.
More backstory would have been better, but the psychedelic style really brought me back to the 70's and I was only 6 in '74, so I think that helps me related to the time, because memories like that are in a dream state. Kind of what Charley was walking through.
For me the movie was a gateway. Without it I would know nothing of this fascinating man. After seeing it I went down a rabbit hole on him and even bought Solitary Fitness. Hopefully they let him breathe some free air before he dies.
would really love to see a series made of charlies upbringing and what he went through as a young adult to be the way he was to earn that 10/10 charlie bronson score
I’ve got PTSD and instead of treating me I was given drugs that changed my physiology, slowed me down and I call them a chemical straight jacket. I dread to think what they dosed Mr Bronson with against his will and how that would have affected him even more.
What the system has done to him is unforgivable.
Agreed real men as touted their masculinity may be are punished and held down to save and protect this unjust system we have. I the past the emphasizes was on physical violence against inmates today you get chemically castrated. It's a hideous evil. The newest trick is to make ppl especially woman addicted to social media Fry their brain with superstimuli like 7 figures, 7 inches and at least 6'3 tall - in that way upper-class pr*cks bind 80% of all woman no matter the class. Taking away massively options for young low class men to develop their masculinity and strive for smth. It's all this social ingeneering crap of the Transhumanists. This upper-class families marry since centuries inside their group when famine, war and poverty f up the epigenetic of the ordinary working or farming men, this guy got always optimal nurturing. So they grow 3 to 4 inches taller as the other classes their faces more fair cause of good diet and they don't carry around psychology of scarcity. On the other side they don't develop the compassionate fighting heart cause they hadn't the necessity to do. But today's fried young woman's brain just perceive blink and shine of Instagram. And if you don't have it you don't make it. The gap is bigger as ever and therefore any low class young men look for answers to this unbearable situation. Crime was always one of the answers of the exploited and under privileged to get his needs met.
I hope you are good!
Charlie caught Hepatitis from a dirty needle, how terrible is that. 👀🤐.
May you overcome and defeat the pain of PTSD. God bless.
I had to watch the film a few times to fully understand what was taking place around and to him.
I'm glad he had people around him who treated him with respect. Hard time make hard people and someday we will need and want people like Charley around to get us through the hard days ahead
Brilliant review! I love how you don’t just give your perspective of events or look at the factuality of things, but you critique the storytelling how the art of the cinema. Bravo!
I wonder what Charlie would have been like if he'd been to prison in Scandanavia instead, in one of those facilities with the philosophy that each prisoner needs to be somebody's neighbour when they get out. Imagine, going to prison and being treated like a human being. Hopefully one day we'll figure out that punishment doesn't work. You can't break a will, especially not one like Charlie's.
I mean what do you do with Murderers, rapist and thieves? People get all up in arms when execution is suggested but its either that or we keep them locked up. Maybe this is a hot take but if youre in prison for something heinous you dont deserve to be treated like a human because youre not if you're in prison for murder or rape you're a monster and your life should be considered forfeit.
@@erikcarrillo7378 are you really suggesting THIEVES be executed? Fuck sakes. I agree that execution is necessary when you're WITHOUT DOUBT executing the guilty, but others that simply refuse to be decent in civil society can at least be put to work to some degree. Honestly I think things would be MUCH different if the punishment fit the crime, sentence a rapist to being brutally raped, obviously execution for heinous murder, shit like that MIGHT put some shit into perspective for an offender.
@@erikcarrillo7378 The point is to fix people and make them function as a productive citizen... isolation is punishment, take away the freedom of choices and potentially future. A rapist that stops raping and help shape a healthy society is good no? I see no downside in making the world a better place... Suffering is not punishment, it's revenge. And revenge is not justice, it's personal satisfaction, and that mentality is NOT good for a evolving society. We can clearly see that with how the americans deal with prisoners and "justice". It's finger pointing, happiness from suffering and condemning them as shit instantly with no point of coming back.
Imagine a world where instead of swiping all the bad shit under the rug, you adress the issue and try to work to make it better. You can execute all the people you want, lock them up to die or make them come out educated to be more efficient in their crimes. But the problem is not going away, even if hurting people you think deserve makes you feel all warm and fuzzy. Of course criminals won't get better if you ruin their future of rehabilitation. Or at least take away the chance to get improvement. It's medieval. Coming out of prison with a drivers license, a possible education and a chance to prosper is a good way that benefits everyone.
Think about the US again. They pay their taxes, but the vast majority goes to warfare and corporate businesses etc. So of course you don't like to pay them. But in other countries the taxes are way higher, but it goes towards everyone, you get it back, and it shows, especially when you need it. Now apply that mentality to the prison system. Of course you don't want criminals to get out of prison, nobody cares about them enough to give them a chance to rehabilitate. If i lived in such a shitshow of a system I would probably think like that too. But that entire system is existant because the people are afraid to change because it benefits them RIGHT NOW, until it goes bad, which constantly is.
Prisons aren't there to satisfy your hard on for revenge, it's to repair what society can't handle. So prisons is a gateway for improvement. Not a hole to toss your dirty laundry in. If criminals are rampart and peopel are extremely affected, fix your society, and the mindset you have is one of the reasons why things aren't improving related to this, it's getting worse.
@@Gnossiene369 As an American I have to completely agree with your insight. We do not have a functional “corrections” system. We have a revenge and punishment for profit system and that is not what a prison system should be. Our broken prison industrial complex is a mirror of the worst parts of our society. While Charlie Bronson is a notoriously violent man he is not the murderous monster the broken US prison system would have created.
sometimes though there are men who want to go to prison just so they can read the Koran all day and have their basic needs taken care of, so they have murdered a woman and just sat down waiting for the cops
Stephen reminds me of the late great Tommy Cooper! (The way he looks anyways!)
This is the first time I've come across him and I really like how honest, grounded and authentic he is. A proper oldskool decent geezer!
His art is really impressive, at first i thought it kind of meh but the more he does the more i think he is a secret genius. There is so much going on in every painting he does it's like a feast for the eyes.
Quite simply Stephen this was absolutely brilliant..I loved this review immensely ❤️
I’ll say this,
Tom Hardy is actually a master “character actor”.
By that I don’t mean “type cast actor” which most folks think of when you say character actor.
Hardy,
unlike so many “movie stars” who are just kinda themselves walking through different roles, (Keanu and Bruce Willis come to mind) has shown that other than being able to recognize his face, becomes a character.
IMO, that ability is increasingly rare and always interesting to watch.
(Also, that he seems to like dog’s better than most people speaks well of his common sense and intelligence.😁)
Agreed. John Wayne was always John Wayne in every movie. Same with Clint, Sean Connery and even Michael Caine. But Tom Hardy is always somebody different.
EDIT - Same with Gary Oldman. Played Mason Verger in "Hannibal", Lee Harvey Oswald in "JFK", Winston Churchill and then a weird criminal in "The Fifth Element".
He's a Daniel Day Lewis in the making.
@@KvltKrist I don’t think that’s an over statement at all. He really is going after a seat Lewis and Oldmans table.
@@raypurchase801 Oldman was pretty good as a corrupt DEA agent and Dracula as well.
@@DaPeasant I hugely respect Clint Eastwood, but imagine if, back in the day, Clint or Sean Connery or even Michael Caine had been cast as a corrupt DEA agent or Dracula.
You'd just have Clint or Sean or Michael wearing different outfits.
But Tom Hardy and Gary Oldman adopt completely different characters. REAL acting.
You did such a wonderful job telling the tale. It's something to hear it through the words of someone who knows him so well. Very good video sir, sheers!
You just confirmed everything I suspected about Charlie, my heart has gone out to him over the years bless him, I so hope he gets out soon and enjoys whatever he's got left..👍❤
I'd love you to do one on Robert Mawdesley the "scouse cannibal" 😳 🙄 talk about set up..😳 I grew up with a lad who's dad was a paedophile, he was a middle child of 9, when the father worked his way down the line to him, aged 10, he stood up to him and blew him up at school 👍 he told me he was saving his little sisters bless him, he was an angry youth, always fighting with lads that reminded him of his dad, unfortunately they where big bstrds and macca was only small 🙄 so he always came off worse, 18 he's banged up for abh outside a club, he got something stupid like 4 or 6 months but his biggest mistake was telling some guards "don't point any nonces out to me" 😞
I enjoyed listening to this intelligent, wise man. I feel nothing but sorry for Charlie and shame for the system that has failed him. I hope he gets out soon.
One of the greatest crimes of this country is leaving a man like Bronson to rot in prison with no legitimate reason. It’s incredibly sad what has happened to him and it’ll be a stain on this country for years to come.
No legitimate reason? So beating people up left right & centre, taking hostages, all the nutty stuff he's done isn't legitimate reason for punishment?? Sorry but it's plenty legit.
It's still a shame though, he's never going to be allowed to progress, how can he rehabilitate sat in a cell talking to himself? He can't can he, & it's a waste, I say send him back on the wing at an A cat for a few months, then give him c cat, test him for 6 months, then Tey a year at d cat, then you can give him a chance of a life. If not, give him a gun & a bullet, let his misery end.
Yup, no need at all. The post office he originally robbed is just down the road from my grandma. I believe it is still there!
Bronson should be released IMMEDIATELY and become your next door neighbour.
One day he'll accuse you of watching him from your window, or parking your car too close to his house or not using the rubbish and recycling bins properly. What happens next?
And THAT (very sadly) is why Bronson needs to remain inside.
@@raypurchase801 that's what people don't want to hear, he's a violent man and got more time for being really violent, should they just laugh that off? people say whatever but like you say if he moved in across the street they would be singing a different tune. it is what it is
Everyone will be judged at the end for everything and those in authority meaning the judicial/court system, prison guards, warden, etc will be judged as well.
An incredible watch, you are so well spoken, every word is deliberate and thought out.
Thank you for this video.
You said something early in this video that struck home. "But he's a human being like anyone else" and how people react to their surroundings and how people treat them... I'm recently retired from working maximum locked psych units. The best advice I had in my early career in 1980 when I started was "treat them like a human being like anyone else". This served me well in my 37 years with violent psych patients. The mutual respect goes a long long way to having a working relationship in any institution...
There's obviously a line in terms of they are in prison, so perhaps no weapons or tools for escape. But yeah, I used to know some pretty screwed up people, it was a genuine shock when I started to work security and the folks I was securing the building against weren't half as bad. Having nearly been murdered on multiple occasions, I still believe that in general it's best to show people at least basic human respect, even if you refuse to have anything to do with them in private.
I've certainly found trust and respect, but verify to be the right call in nearly all cases.
You nailed it Stephen Tom did an incredible job portraying Charles but the movie itself lacked, they should have spent more time showing how Charles became the man he is and there was way to much weirdo psychedelic stuff going on.
Well, we can all tell Charlie is a weird psychological guy... wouldn't say the oddness of the movie didn't fit. He is a unique soul, clearly. Sure he felt some strange feelings in the way he was treated.
"way to much weirdo psychedelic stuff going on."
I mean, it is a Refn film.
The film and other media industries don't survive at getting to root causes when putting forth the salient trauma drama pieces brings more viewers (customers?).
@@tomguglielmo9805 psychedelic not psychological
@@michaeldobbs4249 so he was high all the time on psychedelics?
The real deal.. thanks for the interview..
First film I saw Tom Hardy star in, and I immediately thought "this guy is the British Marlon Brando".
Good to hear how authentically he plays Charlie on the screen, even if the storyline could have been a bit of a deeper dive into him as a character.
(Btw, Charlie should be out, absolutely criminal that man is still locked down).
This Bronson movie was what made me fall in love with Tom Hardy as an actor.
I'm looking forward to the day when we see Charles as a free man and invited on to talkshows to tell his side of the story personally. "Her Majesty's Prisons" have had their turn, it's about bloody time Charlie has his.
2002 belmarsh, house block 3. Ground floor. Next door to me. Love to see man’s progress!! ✊🏽 big up G ✊🏽
I find it admirable that you have such attention to detail in reviewing this film. i think you really care about Charlie and i think it makes you a very good friend and a good person
We are the public should be pushing for charlie, Stephen if you can change he has to have a chance
I can watch the film Bronson over and over and not get bored with it. I wonder how Charlie feels about being released if he was ever given the chance. I can't even imagine the psychological damage being incarcerated pretty much his whole life would have caused him. Does he ever talk about being released, or doesn't he allow himself that thought? I only know what I've seen on TV about Charlie Bronson, but people who have done much worse have been released when they probably didn't deserve it. If it was something he wanted, surely he should be given the chance to spend his golden years as a free man.
Poor bloke is living proof that people that fly into a rage usually crash land and the system will always win .braking the law is fine millions do it every day just don't get caught
I loved Bronson and it's cool to know that it rates pretty high in the eyes of a man who lived it alongside him. Never been a huge fan of biopics just because of the lack of authenticity. It's great to hear that a lot of the movie is accurate but obviously not perfect.
This was brill mate thanks so much! 🤩👍💖
Charlie is ALL of us, a prisoner if uncontrolled
Great indepth review. From someone who has actually seen the other side. Stephen is the evidence that shows stepping out of the dark and changing your life is possible.
If you are strong enough.
Keep it going
Wise words, thank you 👍👍
Stepping out of darkness is only possible with genuine good choices being available -- good choices that should have been available before the first "bad choice" was made, or at least a system to prevent harms from happening in the first place.
He's a legend 💯 much respect and👍🏻 From Christchurch New Zealand 💯🇳🇿
Bronsons advice to tom about cutting things of even if it hurts is something everyone should tale a deep look into themself and follow that advice . Brilliant advice and way of telling it
This was fascinating. Thank you for this and your insights. Glad you've made it out and are doing well and I wish the same for him before his time comes because this is over the top unfair to keep a man locked up for his entire life basically. He deserves better. Even in America we've heard of Charlie Bronson 💪
I genuinely didn’t realise Charles Bronson was STILL alive. For some reason, I had just assumed he had been dead for a while.
Amazing that he had time to be an actor throughout all of this.
He was brilliant in The Dirty Dozen, which he filmed while on day release.
I think people by default have the notion that movies need to portray someone as accurately as possible, and that is what the movie is for. Especially if they knew the person. I heard that with every movie that people that knew the person would say, they didn't entirely get that person right. Jim Morrison. Andy Kaufman, and many others. This guy even said, because they didn't, they let the audience down. But the audience came to see an exciting movie. Documentaries are made to try and give people an idea of who someone was. Movies are to tell a story, in an interesting way, not just try to do an exact cover of who someone was.
TOM HARDY, one of the best British actors of all time 😊 spot on, 👀🤐.
I need to watch Bronson again. It's been since about 2010 that I've seen it and I'm grateful it's on Tubi still. As someone that was in and out of treatment centers for 6 years, I can somewhat relate to Charlie 🙏
Many of us know Charlie has been kept in the prison system for all the wrong reasons. Unfortunately they have only kept him incarcerated out of fear and have probably damaged his ability to integrate beyond repair.
He assaulted everyone he could get his hands on, both other prisoners and guards. He kept many people as hostages and people like u REALLY wonder why he is still in there, he’s LITERALLY known as Britons most dangerous inmate. So every time he assaults someone, time is added on, every time he keeps a man as a hostage, time is added on, people say he’s chilled out now. But that’s only because he’s 70 now. If he was still his young self he would still be assaulting people. The ONLY reason he has been held for so long is due to his OWN actions
Refn Winding usually takes the psyhedelic approach, this is actually very grounded with the guy. You could see a bit of it already in how the camera moves and certain scenes in Pusher series. With Bronson where he got a bit bigger budget and more international audience he started to take it more and more there. Obviously Bronson and Drive are still the more viewer friendly experiences than the later work where you will like it or hate it essentially. I think the absurd aspect of the movie works in a sense that it's so in your face that the viewer knows everything ain't grounded and it does make you search more in real life info of Charlie. Atleast I watched couple of docs, read about him, searched had he seen the film (yes they let him watch it) and watched all kinds of old news etc. footage. Kinda like with Chopper, the movie did the same for me.
Good work. Subjective and informative. As someone who has spent some time within the UK prison system and from time to time emded up in 'the block ' the thought of being banged up for years like that is horrendous. (The Block is solitary with nothing. Concrete seat ,concrete bed and concrete food.) Yet there are 'people' (are they even human?) Ie - bacons who have commited horrific crimes against children who get treated like guests in a hotel in there protected wings and get paroled early for 'good behaviour!'
Charlie bronson has never killed anyone, yet hes still inside now!
The system looks after its own.
I liked the film and tom hardy. Hes a very versatile actor. From Bronson to things like Venom and even war movie's I always have a gander if hes cast.
But yeah, the surrealistic element in Bronson while making it more appealing to their target audience could possibly have been somewhat less in favour of a more detailed view of the life and events that led to Charlie Bronson growing into the legend that he is today. Thank you.
This man is amazingly articulate - good interview
Британская актерская школа отличается от других. Британские актеры-это штучный товар. Эксклюзив. И Том бриллиант среди британских актеров. Это моё мнение. Обожаю Тома ❤❤❤
I enjoyed that Stephen. Hope you’re well 💯
Would have made a better series than a movie i think. A lot to tell... This also made me interested in Stephens story! So going to check that out. Obviously he's a success story and good on him. Turned his life around, obviously wasn't easy.
Thanks Matt, some more great content on my story at stephengillen.com
@@stephen.gillen I’ll check that out. Thanks. I love things like this. So interesting and well done 👍🏻 good on you.
@@stephen.gillen born influencer Steve. Made for it all
My analysis: I'm an ex-prisoner who did segregation in a "normal prison!", got out n went to University to study (Psychology, Sociology, Criminal Justice, and then Applied Creativity Theory for 10 years.) I became a Criminal Justice worker in prisons with young offenders inside the system working with Police, Probation, Home Office. Charlie is the demonised portrait prisoner for The System, he's a highly intelligent and gifted creative human being, it's his Creativity n mind along with self image of refusing to be broken that inevitable "forced" him into his anti system actions as his only means of actually maintaining his sanity; as all prisoners n POWs do to prevent total psychological breakdown..... resistance in any form is the only weapon that keeps any semblance of humanity alive in a persons mind or being. But, it's also his high level of creativity that makes it even harder for Charlie as the creative side heightens your self awareness, the whys n wherefores of yr own life origins, actions, thoughts, and social process into the system, then yr position in it. Ignorant, uneducated, unaware prisoners don't have Charlie's level of insight into himself or the system, so the emotional n Psychological pain of imprisonment for them is little in comparison to the physical, emotional, and psychological horrors and torture his has faced n survived. His continued incarceration for 'robbery" after 30 years (usually a 3-7-10 years max) is unheard of, and beyond punishment...it's simply the ongoing torture of a human being, who ceased to be a real Societal threat decades ago, and one of the many most disgraceful n disturbing cases of our Justice system. Charlie is not a threat to the outside World, merely seen as a threat to the Justice system both inside and outside if he is ever released, which he won't be. I tried my bit working with young offenders after my time, and I can tell u the system is not fair, it's riddled with corruption and many high profile decisions like Charlie are purely Political and not based upon the actual legal tenets of Justice. No Home Secretary or PM wants to known as the ones who let him out, even though it would be the compassionate and progressive thing, and humane decision for our Justice system to do. From the conversations I had with Home Office personnel during my time as a known ex-prisoner turned Justic Worker, is that they will never let Charlie out simply because of his fame now, not because he is any real threat in comparison to others who are released! ....except to the system itself via inevitable TV n media interviews etc. The Home Office simply wants Charlie to die in prison to draw a line under his entire incarceration and move on; At best Charlie may get compassion leave when he is known to be dying n totally physically incapacitated, maybe a few days before his death to see family; but even that is unlikely. In total, Charlie has already served the average time of 3 Life Sentence Prisoners, the average time served for a murderer before parole being about 10-12 years!! The UK claims not to condone torture.🙏
Makes me sad to think that it's a strong possibility that Charles may not get to walk about as a free man again even after all the money he has raised for charity, let the man enjoy a little freedom before it most likely freaks him out and ends back inside anyway
there is not way he would be able to adjust to everyday life outside of prison. he is better off where he is.
So chuffed having 3 of his original artworks...a great guy
11:02 THIS movie would be phenomenal
Interesting to hear some one's personal experience. Iv admired charlie for many years. Thank you for your time. And big up charlie
My dear friend knew Charlie very well..tried for years to get him out ..but unfortunately my friend died eleven years ago he was a great mate to a lot of people and him and Charlie were very close...I will say Tom Hardy did do a great job..I do believe Charlie did approve 👍 please he's done his time over let him go...
The hospital scenes in the film were when he was at Rampton (Nottinghamshire)… Tom Hardy was brilliant in this
Charlie's story is so touching I wish people who reform all the best
Unfortunately charlie hasn't reformed and shows now remorse and is still making threats to kill people when he gets released
@@jakethemuss5678 well he hasn't been released but think everyone is innocent at birth no one is a killer when there born he says his family was good to him so society let him down 🙄 angry at the world I bet so is everyone......
I really like this gent Gillen. I can tell he's been though a few things and come out talking straight and full of wisdom. I can also tell he is as real as it gets and 100% reliable in action. His appearance, the way he talks, he reminds me of the UK Italians.
Love Charlie ❤️ that man needed help from the beginning not punishment ♥️
My brother in-law, sadly passed now, spent a while as Charlie's neighbour when they were both guests at an establishment owned by the Queen. He had some funny stories to tell, spoke well of Charlie said he was really funny and is mentioned in Charlie's book
Just subscribed, spent a few years in jail myself all petty crime when i was in my youth 25 years ago your stories make mine look silly 😂 love watching your videos keep up the great work big thumbs up.
Watched ya channel from time to time, and from ya past to the present I say you are a absolute inspiration and I congratulate you sir !!! Long life and happiness is my wish for you 🙏
It's probably played by the top 3 actor in the world, Charlie is grateful amazing actor amazing film
This guy sounds like a Guy Ritchie character! Love this accent!
Spent a year in Stafford seg unit when i was young and you meet some characters in neighbouring cells , we would talk where the heating pipe enters the neighbours cell to keep sane. At shower time the screws would come with riot gear and shields and youre treated less than human. The worse thing was in the hight of very hot summer when two lads held a month long dirty protest God it stunk like hell down in that seg basement.
Loved this, very interesting piece and some great questions great interview and respectable
As you're a film maker and have done 17 straight with our British icon Charlie himself i personally "would love to see you make a movie on him wow imagine" and well-done my guy on surviving one of the 9 circle's of hell your a true "INSPIRATION"
i think the main message of the bronson movie is fear versus respect. if you respect some dudes, they dont mess with you, however if you disrespect they will settle for fear.
Thought this guy was extremely articulate in such a strange way, I don’t know I can’t explain it but seems incredibly wise and was a good watch!!
Liked the film but loved the book, honestly have looked up to Charlie for years when it comes to his training