This Classic British Crime Thriller Was Also Pierce Brosnan’s First Film — 15 Years Before He Became James Bond

American crime cinema changed entirely in the 1970s as a result of the “New Hollywood” movement, which put pressure on British filmmakers to revamp their version of the genre in a similarly realistic way. American films like The Godfather, Serpico, and The French Connection took themselves seriously and achieved a greater sense of authenticity, whereas Great Britain’s caper movies included more comical works, such as The Ladykillers or The Italian Job. The difference may have been stark, but The Long Good Fridaywas a brilliant examination of the gangster lifestyle that helped to launch the subgenre of underground London mob films. Although it has helped to inspire many great British gangster films since, The Long Good Friday still holds up as one of the best depictions of the all-consuming nature of the criminal lifestyle.