The true story of London's most notorious gangsters, twins Reggie and Ronnie Kray. As the brothers rise through the criminal underworld, Ronnie advances the family business with violence and intimidation while Reggie struggles to go legitimate for local girl Frances Shea.

Was Legend based on a true story?

It is adapted from John Pearson's book The Profession of Violence: The Rise and Fall of the Kray Twins, which deals with their career and the relationship that bound them together, and follows their gruesome career to life imprisonment in 1969.

How historically accurate is Legend?

Ron's escape from hospital was more ingenious, Reg's marriage less violent … Tom Hardy's portrayal of both twins is admirable, unlike the film's attention to detail Reginald and Ronald Kray were twins born in 1933.

Are the Kray twins based on a true story?

Ronald "Ronnie" Kray (24 October 1933 – 17 March 1995) and Reginald "Reggie" Kray (24 October 1933 – 1 October 2000), were identical twin brothers, gangsters and convicted criminals from Haggerston. They led organised crime from Bethnal Green in the East End of London, from the late 1950s to 1967.

Did Ronnie and Reggie Kray sleep together?

In his biography of the twins, The Profession of Violence, Pearson claims that Ronnie Kray admitted that he and Reggie discovered they were both gay in their adolescence and would often have sex together, an activity which continued into their later life.

The KRAY Twins - LEGEND. Why did their criminal empire collapse? Real story

Why was Ronnie Kray insane?

East End Crime Boss

While in prison, he was labeled insane (and later diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia). Ronnie and Reggie had another brush with the law in 1965. Both brothers were arrested in connection with their efforts to shake down a Soho club owner, but they were later acquitted in this case.

What did Reggie do to Frances Kray?

According to John Pearson, Reg's intimidation of Frances was psychological: he talked about killing her, her brother and her parents and brandished his gun. Knowing she was afraid of the sight of blood, he cut his own hand and dripped blood all over her as she slept.

How many murders did the Krays commit?

Getting Away With Murder - The Kray Twins were convicted of four murders but in reality the deaths numbered ten.

Is there any Kray family still alive?

But it is less likely that you've heard about Nancy Kray. Daughter of Charlie Kray, the older brother of the twins, Nancy is one of the last surviving custodians to the more intimate world of one of the world's most renowned families.

How tall were the Krays?

Included in the file, from the then North Eastern Criminal Record Office, are three never-before-released black and white photos of Kray believed to have been taken at Durham Jail. It describes him as being "5ft 7.5ins tall with a fresh complexion, brown eyes and dark brown hair".

What parts of legend are true?

Did Reggie really love Frances?

They base the film mostly on the love story between Reggie and Frances and he really did love her and she did love him. Remember she's got this older, good-looking, immaculately dressed businessman boyfriend and she's a little 18-year-old from the east end and never been up the west to a nightclub.

Why are there two versions of legend?

Despite a troubled production in which the elaborate full-size forest set was accidentally incinerated and a lengthy post-production that resulted in multiple versions of the film (with competing music scores by Jerry Goldsmith and Tangerine Dream), Legend has since been restored to Scott's original cut and embraced by ...

How did the krays get caught?

More than 100 detectives raided homes and offices all over the capital in the largest operation of its kind carried out by Scotland Yard. The Kray brothers were the first to be arrested when police forced their way into their mother's council flat at Braithwaite House, Finsbury.

Did the Kray twins fall out?

Ronnie and Reggie Kray had a bond that could never be broken - but would ultimately lead to their downfall. The identical twins brothers, who were born in the East End of London in 1933, loved Hollywood gangster movies and desired to be both feared and famous.

Were the krays evil?

They were once called the most evil men in Britain and were by a distance the most infamous gangsters the East End has ever produced.

Who snitched on the Krays?

He was the man who brought down the Krays, but the moment Bobby Teale decided to betray the vicious twins he knew he was signing his own death warrant.

Which Kray brother was more violent?

However, the Krays' reign of terror could not go unchecked forever. In 1966, Ronnie, who was known as the most bloodthirsty of the twins, shot and killed George Cornell, a member of the rival Richardson gang, in the saloon bar of the Blind Beggar pub in Whitechapel.

Why did Ronnie shoot Cornell?

The court was told how Ronald Kray shot dead George Cornell in front of customers at the Blind Beggar pub in the East End in 1966 for calling him a "fat poof". It also heard how Jack "The Hat" McVitie was repeatedly stabbed by Reginald Kray in a north London flat while his brother held him down.

What happened to the Krays' wives?

What happened to Frances Shea? Sadly, aged 23, on June 7, 1967, Frances Shea took her own life. Her funeral was at the same church where she got married to Reggie, with her husband trying to give her the best goodbye he could.

How many wives did Reggie Kray have?

Death and Legacy

In 2000, Reggie was diagnosed with terminal bladder cancer. He was given compassion leave and left prison to spend his final weeks with his second wife Roberta Jones. Reggie died on October 1, 2000, at the age of 66. He passed away at a Norwich hotel.

Did Reggie Kray have a baby?

Officially, neither Ronnie or Reggie had any children on record. However, one woman claims she is the secret daughter of Reggie who didn't want to know her. Sandra Ireson, a 62-year-old mother and gran, claims was born after a brief romance between Reggie and cabaret dancer Greta Harper in 1958.

Was Ronnie Kray worse than Reggie Kray?

Reggie was strong and very technical. He was considered a skilled boxer. On the other hand Ronnie was nothing but Brute Force and mental illness. Ronnie was considered too savage, he didn't box for sport, he was out for blood.

Who was the worst out of Ronnie and Reggie Kray?

But this friendship often went through tumultuous times, with Manning revealing Reggie was just as bonkers, if not worse, than his brother Ron. Ronnie suffered from a schizophrenic illness which often led to violent outbursts, and him being considered the crazy twin.

What mental disorder did Ronnie Kray have?

He suffered from schizophrenia, which was kept under control through medication. After 16 years at the Berkshire institution, Kray had a heart attack in Broadmoor in March 1995 at the age of 61. He was transferred to Wexham Park Hospital in Slough but died two days after his heart episode.