Asked about some particularly violent moments that seem to go over the top, the brothers said they recognize there is some savage brutality but feel it is not gratuitous.

"The way the film was set up, it was always in danger of glorifying Ronnie and Reggie," said Martin. "The way they look, the charisma these two guys had, there was the danger of making them too attractive. So the way to make that repulsive was the violence. To make the violence repulsive is to make it realistic. But it's not an action-paced film, like a `Lethal Weapon' kind of violence."

Martin also has specific feelings for his own character on a sympathetic level. "I think Reggie is a much sadder case than Ronnie. Reggie, maybe at the age of 19 or 20, would have gone on the straight and narrow. It was mainly due to his brother Ron that he pulled back into that idea of violence. Ronnie needed the two of them to stay together. Reggie was on a complete death wish after (his wife) died and that was the perfect moment to bond them in murder."

"Ironically," Gary added, "I think it's a film that says a lot for women, although they may not be drawn to it initially. Gangster films normally tend to make you feel how great it must be to be a gangster. But I think this film, because it's from a woman's point of view (that of the Krays' mother), shows how futile they are, all those games of egos that men play. The women have to do the real fighting to keep the family fed and loved."

Martin said they don't plan to give up Spandau Ballet, but music may take a back seat to acting for a time.