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I.D. [1995]
![I.D. [1995]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41ZQB3VXXVL._SL160_.jpg)
RRP: £9.99
Our Price: £2.59 (subject to change)
Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review
Intense, ferocious and deeply unsettling, I.D. is an excellent examination of Britain's unsavoury contribution to global culture: football hooliganism. Whereas Alan Clarke's The Firm showed the violence that lurked behind a seemingly normal façade, I.D. posits football hooliganism as a feral temptation. Dedicated, ambitious undercover policeman John (Reece Dinsdale) becomes seduced by the violence of an East London gang, ultimately becoming lost from his regular life with his wife (Clare Skinner). Dinsdale delivers a measured performance that sees him spiral from committed, right-minded policeman to shaven-headed, Nazi-saluting monster, revelling in the violent impulses he embraces with glee and, alarmingly, becoming a hero amongst those he is infiltrating. Warren Clarke is absolutely monstrous as the leader of the hooligan gang, a paragon of bigoted hatred and the embodiment of John's future. Often unnervingly realistic, director Phil Davis is adept at creating riotous mob scenes that chillingly accentuate the world into which John is drawn. It could be said that I.D.'s premise is too thin, and that hooliganism is not addressed in an effective manner, but it is without doubt a chilling character study of the temptation of violence and the horrific influences that lurk in the heart of society. --Danny Graydon
GREAT FILM, I.D BEATS THE REST
Review date: 2008-04-10 Rating: 10 out of 10
Great film. I.D just works. Can be described as being very different to the modern day likes of football factory and Green Street, I.D begins by introducing you to the 'old bill' that are to go undercover in an attempt to foil the very core of the East London hooligans. You'll enjoy seeing the group intergrate themselves into the dynamics of the gang, and trying to stay there as well. The film gives you more than just hooliganism, although the action is as good as it needs to be, it looks a little dated at times. The ending flows well with the rest of the film, without being boringly predictable. Definately worth a watch, and includes some of Britain's great actors.
Similar Products
- Goodbye Charlie Bright [2001]
- Football Factory (Special Edition) [2004]
- The Firm (Gary Oldman)
- The Business [2005]
- Hooligan 'Chav' Edition (Exclusive to Amazon.co.uk)
Reviews
Easily the best of the football hooligan films
Review date: 2008-01-05 Rating: 10 out of 10
I.D. is my favourite of all the football hooligan genre films. It's a cut above the rest and also has deep psychological undertones as it systematically maps out how one person (a professional and respected member of the community) can gradually engage with the camaraderie, sense of belonging and sheer thrill of fighting on and off the terracings.
The actual storyline is one of an undercover police unit set up to infiltrate the football hooligan structures and hierarchy associated with a particular club - they take this a bit too far though and end up 'turning injun' as they would have said in the Wild West.
Great lead role by Reece Dinsdale who by the end of the film has completely reinvented himself (for the worse).
Recommended
Review date: 2007-10-04 Rating: 10 out of 10
Bit dated and I have seen this film probably too many times but it is well worth buying. Realistic? Who cares, it's a great film and eminently watchable!
First -class
Review date: 2007-04-08 Rating: 10 out of 10
I thought this an excellent film. Four policemen go undercover to find the leaders of a gang of football hooligans. They convince the yobs that they are the genuine article and really begin to enjoy themselves. One in particular, John, really begins to change sides.
This is an exceptional film with a good cast and you will want to watch it over and over again.
Hugely entertaining for it's type
Review date: 2006-07-21 Rating: 10 out of 10
John is an ambitious young copper who (together with his Sergeant - Trevor) are sent to investigate and 'infiltrate' the world of football violence and hooligans to try and find the 'top boys' of the soccer hooligan scene.
They are sent in among the supporters of the fictitious 'Shadwell Town' football Club and begin to frequent their local 'The Rock'.
What starts as a rather scary and unwelcome assignment gradually builds up to friendships being made between John and the 'hooligans' and comradeship developing between him and them. As a bonus, he discovers he desperately fancies Linda, the neice of the pub landlord Bob and - at first - the feeling is mutual!
John starts to discover that he prefers to be with them and do what they do rather than be with his own long-suffering policewoman wife and his job.
He changes into one of the hooligans he was sent to 'bring to book'.
With the assingment almost over; and his wife not knowing him anymore; he feels nostalgia for all he and the Shadwell Town boys shared and he sinks into a kind of depression whereby he loses his wife and his job and ends up joining a 'far right' neo-Nazi outfit to compensate for the comarardarie he feels he's lost among his former mates in the football hooligan world.
The film ends with him 'sieg-heiling' in the street, on a march with his new group.
I like this film very much and have watched it many times. The dialogue is typical for the type of setting it is in and it's fast paced and action packed; but with a certain 'wistfulness' displayed by the characters. It also goes to show that a person can become deeply influenced by the company they keep; and what they think they would never get involved in may just be lying dormant awaiting an event or opportunity to bring it out.
Would be 'infiltrators' beware!!!
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Reece Dinsdale
Claire Skinner
Saskia Reeves
Sean Pertwee
Warren Clarke
Director(s):
Recording label: Universal Pictures UK
Manufacturer: Universal Pictures UK
EAN: 0044006189826
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 2
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2006-05-29
Universal product code (UPC): 044006189826
Number of discs: 1
Audience rating: Suitable for 18 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 103 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1997-01-08
Language: English (Original Language)