Donal MacIntyre’s much-hyped documentary A Very British Gangster is rightly lauded for the sensational footage the investigative journalist was able to can after three years spent filming one of the most dangerous crime families in Britain. It’s an insider account of a corner of West Manchester ruled by a genial mob boss, Dominic Noonan, and his tribe of suited and booted young men. The novelty is the ease and intimacy between MacIntryre and the Noonan clan. His film makes numerous sensational claims about the family’s reputation for kidnapping, torture, narcotics, threats and murder – and basically none of it is denied, which is most of the fun.

But the camera spends most of the time watching the plump, middle-aged Dominic having a shave, eating bacon and eggs with his teenage thugs, or sorting out local domestic squabbles in kitchens where the police fear to tread. In other words, it’s surprisingly wholesome, and funny, despite the endless court cases that Dominic, and his murderous brother, Dessie (now deceased) have to attend.

“I feel there’s a hint of lavender about you, Dominic,” dribbles our intrepid reporter at a boxing club sponsored by the Noonans. The bald brute happily admits that he’s gay. It’s one of the more scary confessions in a deeply unnerving exposé.

Certificate 15, 98mins

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