Underbelly Razor Uncut
Recently aired by Channel 9, UNDERBELLY RAZOR [uncut] is now
available on DVD and soon to be released on Blu-ray which expands the
original broadcast of this gripping crime drama. Unlike the previous
three Underbelly series (Underbelly, Underbelly: The Golden Mile or the
Underbelly Files), this current story is set in the early 20th century
century that once again details real events set in Sydney during 1927 to
1936. It has been dubbed as the birth of organised crime within
Australia.
THE CAST OF UNDERBELLY RAZOR
As a
reviewer, I believe that the Underbelly franchise has been so popular
because of the slick presentation of the stories and although some
believe that they glamorise crime, it actually makes the characters seem
more realistic and more immersive for the viewer. Not that I condone the
criminal actions showcased in the series. However, with that said,
Underbelly Razor also contains the over the top sex scenes and violence
which made the previous three series so popular and controversial. So if
this offends... you have been warned and the content in this series is
sometimes quite disturbing at times such as rapes as hideous antiquated
abortions... not to mention the sickening violence.
In essence, this 13-part series revolves around the "razor gangs" who
attempted to control Sydney's criminal underworld with two main
protagonists or "vice queens", Tilly Devine (Chelsie Preston Crayford)
and Kate Leigh (Danielle Cormack). The series was also based on the
novel by Larry Writer (no pun intended) and in comparison with the TV
series or DVD release, the producers have followed the novel quite
close.
Kate Leigh Danielle Cormack as Kate
Leigh
Another highlight of the series are the settings and costumes of all the
characters involved which mimic the era that this story is set, during
the Australian Depression. Given that, the writers of the TV series have
used some artistic liberty to fill in quite a few gaps but the main
theme remains as authentic as possible.
In
relation to the glamorisation of crime in the Underbelly series, one
note of interest is the comparison between the actresses who played
these crime matriarchs to their real-world counterparts. Whereas the
actresses look like models who would not look out of place on a catwalk
and some in a high class strip club, the real life photos in the book of
the people in question look like normal average people. But hey, Channel
9 have set the bar and what works, works...
Underbelly Razor also succeeds is through its gripping stories and how
all the characters showcased in the series are somehow related to the
bigger picture. With the classic and seedy music that has become a
staple of Underbelly, it plays in the background that is really used to
tug at your emotional heartstrings. It's definitely a jungle out there!
Anna McGahan as the beautiful Nellie
Cameron
Joining the line-up of characters besides the two vice queens is Anna
McGahan as Nellie Cameron, a prostitute caught up in the violence of the
razor gangs and she makes the biggest transformation in the series from
an innocent girl whose eyes are opened up to the dangers of the criminal
underworld. Jack Campbell stars as "Big Jim" Devine, Tilly Devine's
husband with John Batchelor starring as Wally Tomlinson, boyfriend and
associate of Kate Leigh.
I also
enjoyed how Underbelly Razor highlighted the inexperience of the police
force in the Depression which focuses on Sergeant Tom Wickham (Steve Le
Marquand) who helped found the first drug squad in New South Wales. Two
other officers of note are Detective Inspector Bill Mackay (Craig Hall)
and my favourite character in the entire series, Lillian May Armfield
(Lucy Wigmore) who plays one of Australia's first policewomen. Needless
to say, there is a stellar cast of actors and actresses involved in
Underbelly Razor which makes this release extremely polished.
Special Features
Chelsie Preston Crayford as Tilly Devine
Final Thoughts
Underbelly Razor is a very bumpy ride and what starts innocently enough
when Tilly Devine steals Kate Leigh's dog, this becomes the catalyst for
a 10 year criminal war. From here the "razor gangs" commence, while the
two vice queens crank up their criminal activities such as prostitution
and drug trafficking.
Needless to say, the war becomes very bloody with murders surrounding
both queens as the police force attempt to control the streets. All in
all, Underbelly Razor is a gripping and sometimes disturbing tale as the
public are caught in the crossfire of this vicious war. Even though the
series was not set in the present, it is probably one of the better
Underbelly releases due to the acting, direction and engaging story.
Recommended!
