Get Carter (1971)

Get Carter is a 1971 British crime drama film, based on Ted Lewis' 1970 novel Jack's Return Home. It was written and directed by Mike Hodges, produced by Michael Klinger, and starred Michael Caine, Ian Hendry, Britt Ekland, John Osbourne, Bryan Mosley, George Sewell, Tony Beckley, Glynn Edwards, and Geraldine Moffat.

It would receive two American remakes in 1972 (renamed Hit Man, starring Bernie Casey) and 2000 (starring Sylvester Stallone).

Summary
London gangster Jack Carter returns to his hometown of Newcastle to investigate the supposedly accidental death of his brother Frank.

Why It Rocks

 * 1) Superb plot about how revenge doesn't always work, and the risk of crossing a line from which there is no going back.
 * 2) Fantastic acting from a brilliant cast.
 * 3) Brilliant soundtrack that added to the tough grittiness.
 * 4) Carter is portrayed rather well as a brutal thug who wants vengeance instead of redemption, which leads him on the long path to his death.
 * 5) So many quotable lines, such as "You're a big man, but you're in bad shape. With me, it's a full-time job. Now behave yourself."