Claysaba Excellent, Without a doubt!!

Livestonth I am only giving this movie a 1 for the great cast, though I can't imagine what any of them were thinking. This movie was horrible

Ogosmith Each character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.

Orla Zuniga It is interesting even when nothing much happens, which is for most of its 3-hour running time. Read full review

bamlin52 This is when they made movies . Saw this movie 47 years ago. Yes it has dated a bit.But still enjoyable. Richard Burton has real Star quality. Thought provoking movie. Don't make them like this anymore.

alexanderdavies-99382 Released in 1971, "Villain" came hot on the heels of the British gangster classic, "Get Carter." There was a sudden popularity in producing a more gritty and violent kind of British film and later on, television. I remember my brother recorded this film on a late night showing and after I saw a clip, I decided it was a bit much on the violence front. Richard Burton plays the kind of London gangster who is modelled on real life thug and lowlife Ronnie Kray. As Vic Dakin, Burton is a sadistic, evil, mother-obsessed and gay mobster who runs an area of London via a money- laundering and protection racket. He has friends in high places and no one is brave enough to give a statement to Scotland Yard - who have been gunning for Dakin for years. Dakin gives a demonstration of his sadism in one of the opening scenes of "Villain" and for the times, it is quite shocking and graphic. Dakin makes the mistake of straying from his own comfort zone by planning an armed robbery and it proves to be his downfall....... Richard Burton doesn't always convince me as a hard nut, he is a bit miscast in this film. There is a great supporting cast here. Nigel Davenport, Donald Sinden, T.P McKenna and Joss Ackland all stand out. There isn't loads of action but "Villain" was never meant to be about that, the film is motivated by the writing and the acting. The direction is pretty solid. One action scene, is the robbery part of the film. It is well made. The pace rattles along agreeably enough and the climax is one to remember. "Villain" didn't do very well at the box office and Richard Burton's career wasn't done many favours. However, this is definitely worth a few viewings.

George Nixon I have just watched this film on TCM, and I was very disappointed to find that most of the dialogue had been dubbed! Does anybody know why? Did they lose the original soundtrack, or was it re-dubbed for North American audiences? I think that Richard Burtons dialogue is authentic, but most of the supporting characters are obviously dubbed. Nigel Davenport, Colin Welland, Tony Selby, TP McKenna, Josh Ackland, Donald Sinden etc had very distinctive accents which do not "ring true" on this soundtrack! Most disappointing for a Brit fan like myself!!

Tony Rome Another excellent release from Warner Archive, has Richard Burton playing a violent, sadistic, homosexual, deranged killer, who loves his mum and will stop at nothing to get what he wants. His performance is dark, gritty, and scary. Spoiled and crazy, the end scene (which I will not give away) says it all. Ian Macshane is great as his business partner, and boy toy. Nigel Davenport is also great as the Inspector, as is Donald Sinden as the dirty, cheating MP. Joss Ackland is great, as he always is. This is one film that I guarantee you will not take your eyes off the screen. I put this film up at the top of British gangster films with, "Get Carter," "The Long Good Friday," and "Loophole," I highly recommend this gem. ***