Common Sense Media Review
By S. Jhoanna Robledo
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Amazing star performance in violent '60s crime drama.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 17+?
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Legend
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 6 parent reviews
Based on 12 kid reviews
Kids say the film is entertaining, showcasing strong performances by the lead actor, yet it is heavily criticized for its excessive length, strong language, and graphic violence, which may deter younger viewers. The portrayal of the notorious Kray twins draws mixed reactions; while some appreciate the storytelling and humor, others find the dark themes and mature content troubling.
- strong performances
- excessive violence
- dark themes
- lengthy
- mature content
- entertaining
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In the 1960s, London's East End was controlled by twin brothers Ronnie and Reggie Kray (both played by Tom Hardy), vicious gangsters who loved a good fight and ruled through intimidation and brutal violence. LEGEND charts their rise to power as they eliminate their rivals and become involved in the swinging nightclub scene, which brings them into contact with the wealthy and powerful -- and eventually the American mafia. Reggie's girlfriend/wife, Frances (Emily Browning), narrates the tale, and Christopher Eccleston plays Nipper Read, the dogged Scotland Yard detective who's determined to bring the Krays to justice.
Is It Any Good?
In Legend, Hardy brings to life two different-but-similar characters in such an eerily authentic way that it's easy to forget the actor and his roles aren't one and the same. He's that fantastic in the film. Credit is due to the rest of the ensemble, too, who don't give in to the camp that can sometimes overtake period pieces, especially period pieces about the mafia. It helps that the movie is, at heart, a tale of relationships: between a man and a woman who make a connection that might ultimately destroy each other but also sustain each other, and between brothers, one of whom is tasked to care for the other in a way that makes it impossible for the caretaker not to be consumed.
But Legend does let its leading man down a little; Hardy's top-form acting isn't fully supported by the uneven script, which could have been much more complex and gone much deeper into the Krays' dysfunctional, mysterious relationship. It's a quibble, but not a distraction. In the end, Hardy overwhelms with his talent.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about loyalty. How important are Ronnie and Reggie to each other? What happens when one of them is asked to take sides against the other? When can loyalty become a liability?
Do you think all of the movie's violence is necessary to tell the story? How does the impact of what you see here compare to what you might experience in an action or horror movie? Does exposure to violent media desensitize kids to violence?
How does Legend's take on the 1960s U.K. crime mob compare to movies that show American organized crime during the same period? Can you see similarities and differences in the scenes when the Krays meet U.S. gangsters?
Movie Details
- In theaters : November 20, 2015
- On DVD or streaming : March 1, 2016
- Cast : Tom Hardy , Emily Browning , Christopher Eccleston
- Director : Brian Helgeland
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Universal Studios
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : History
- Run time : 131 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : strong violence, language throughout, some sexual and drug material
- Last updated : March 9, 2026
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