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Michael Caine: We've left children to rot, now they are animals
Louise Jury12 Mar 2009
Sir Michael Caine has spoken frankly of his fears for the London streets where he grew up among "honourable gangsters".
The Oscar-winning actor went back to Elephant and Castle to film a low-budget thriller based on gang culture.
But the experience of shooting Harry Brown around the Heygate estate left him anguished at the level of violence and poverty.
Sir Michael said: "[The film] is about sink estates and the violence on them. This is a dark portrait but unfortunately it's very true and we're all responsible for it. We left the children to rot. We left these children and they grew into animals."
Sir Michael, 75, moved into a pre-fabricated house in the district at the age of 12 in the mid-Forties, from Rotherhithe. It was the first time the family had electric lights and an inside bathroom.
"That terrible place for me was a step up. But when I see how these children live now - compared with the flats there now it was like a middle-class dwelling," he said.
"The difference for me was I came from a very steady family. I was poor, but there was a mother, a father - and my brother and I were loved. We were never hungry or dirty."
His own gang was "seven guys that were funnier than me". "We had a lot of fun. We used to drink and chase girls."
Although the area grew rougher as gangsters moved in, he described them as "proper gangsters". "They didn't assault small boys or old ladies."
Sir Michael said he now found the Elephant and Castle district unrecognisable and feared for the future of its residents.
"I come from this. I'm on these estates with these guys and they're talking to me like I'm one of them and I think, 'There but for the grace of God go I .
"The families have let the children down, the educators have let the children down. We've put them in rotten places like the Heygate estate ... which fortunately is being pulled down. It should never have been built."
But Southwark councillor Kim Humphreys said: "Michael Caine seems to be getting fact and fiction mixed up.
"The buildings on the Heygate estate may be past their sell-by date, but it is one of the safest, cleanest and friendliest estates in south London.
"Elephant and Castle is in a state of transition. But if he had taken the opportunity to get to know the area, he would have discovered that the community remains strong. His remarks about the residents are totally wide of the mark."
In the film, Sir Michael plays the title character who takes up arms to defend himself after his friend, Len, played by David Bradley, is murdered by a gang.
Despite being billed as a return to his famous roles as spy Harry Palmer and gangster Jack Carter, he sees Harry Brown as neither.
"This guy is a very honest ex-marine who's trying to live a peaceful life but is unable to do it because of his social situation. He takes the law into his own hands," he said.
It was his first film in 15 months and has proved a tough shoot in the coldest winter for 18 years.
But he has no intention of retiring: "I go to work now when I feel like it, not to make a living. It's got to be fun. But it's been my life and it's what I have always wanted to do. I love making movies."
Reader views (11)
This is hilarious. Firstly who wants two months of their time stolen when you are trying to study or better yourself. Even Michael Caine admitted it wasn't well done and he didn't like it the first time around. But this won't be army instructors, no it'll be wishy washy liberals with as much clout as teachers, so if the tough kids don't turn up, nothing will be done. Europe won't allow it to be enforceable. You can't turn back the clock.
Labour are trying to keep kids in education not take them out of it to shovel the proverbial. Or do the Tories think their education system will be so poor this is the last hope to salvage anything. Kids are more savvy today and know what they want, let them aspire to that, instead of pandering to the few criminals and assuming all kids are potential trouble. Then Cameron talks about getting drunk when you are 18! Excuse me, he was in the Bullingdon in Oxford with dear Boris, getting drunk, trashing rooms and vandalising restaurants for others to clear up, not at 18 but for three years, (if he wasn't he was breaking the clubs rules). As for Michael Caine, his films have promoted a bad attitude to women, (Alfie), and the rest gangland criminality, fine example he has set, at least Edward Woodward wished he hadn't promoted violence in his work before he died.
The tories really are desperate what next week Brucie and compulsory dancing?
How about some real policies and the other Tories showing us they have changed behind the Cameron mask?
- M Hartley, London UK, 08/04/2010 22:06
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I'm curious about the film, I took pictures at a short sequence in Marksgate, near Marksgate. They are well worth a look. I'm pro.
http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=harry%20brown&w=23235073%40N07
I'll turn up to see it, Best regards, Mike.
- Mike King, london, 13/03/2009 23:48
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I agree and it is all over London, we have allowed our children to grow up without any values whatsoever, they are a generation that know the price of everything and the value of nothing................
We should be ashamed and disgusted with ourselves for failing in our responsiblities and showing such a lack of respect for our children...........
- Patricia, London, 13/03/2009 10:28
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I bought an ex-council flat on the Rockingham Estate just over a year ago - the pub where the film crew were filming is on the corner of the estate. It might look a bit rough and ready but really isn't all that bad at all. It's a 20 min walk to Tower Bridge, Borough Market or Waterloo, so a great location. The Heygate Estate is largely empty and boarded up ready for demolition. I walk past it regularly and never feel unsafe in the area. I also use the underpasses and think they're OK once you get used to them, though they do stink of pee. I think the area is often unfairly maligned, probably because there are so many council blocks and because of its ethic diversity. Give the Elephant a break.
- Robert, London, 12/03/2009 16:54
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I agree with Mickyinlondon. People over 50 remember London when it had its real character and people. However good or bad that was. Now it is a completely chaotic, incoherent mess filled with people from all over the world most of whom don't know where they are in terms of culture and history. (They are alienated from their own cultures). London has no identity now.
- Servino, London UK, 12/03/2009 16:43
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michael caine and quincy jones just enjoyed a joint birthday party in london. not a lot of people know that.
- M.O'Brien, london.uk, 12/03/2009 16:11
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The Krays were really honourable, weren't they? People who hark back to an imagined golden age and think that today's crime is worse than it was in the past are living in cloud cuckoo land.
- Lj, london, 12/03/2009 16:05
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I was brought up in the 40s and 50s in Bermondsey,I would 'nt go back now,it is like a foreign land.
- David., Chertsey.UK., 12/03/2009 14:28
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onourable gangsters? You mean bullies, thugs and common criminals. Michael Caine should know better than to glorify crime, then I guess it's easy to be romantic about crime from the safety of a multi million pound penthouse
- Nj, UK, 12/03/2009 14:10
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Well Michael you could always donate your fee for the film towards some community projects in the area. I don't doubt your good intentions but if those in your industry who like you earn the most riduculous sums gave back regularly then maybe life would be that much better
- Lou, London, 12/03/2009 13:25
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Quote: Southwark councillor Kim Humphreys.
"Elephant and Castle is in a state of transition. But if he had taken the opportunity to get to know the area, he would have discovered that the community remains strong. His remarks about the residents are totally wide of the mark."
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Likewise Kim Humphreys; had you known anything at all about the E & C; long before the latest transitions; to your now next state of newer transitions; you would realise that Michael Caine has forgotten more than all you, and your councillors have ever known.
None of you have any idea of the community he talks about; from his childhood knowledge.
Like with all of London today; it has ceased to be English in any way; it is you that is wide of the mark.
- Mickyinlondon, london, 12/03/2009 11:54
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