The Guv'nor

The Guv'nor is a gripping documentary film from 2016 that provides viewers with an enthralling dissection of the tumultuous life and legacy of Lenny McLean, one of Britain's most notorious and feared bare-knuckle fighters. Renowned for his brute strength and unsparing fight techniques, McLean was a quintessential East End figure who infused terror in many hearts. Known as the "Guv'nor," a British slang term for a leader or boss, his name alone evoked a chilling sense of dread amongst the masses, especially within London's underground criminal fraternity.

Directed by Paul Van Carter, the documentary features original footage, interviews, and anecdotes presented by Jamie McLean, Lenny's son, and Martin Askew, a London-born actor and writer who was also a friend of McLean's family. It weaves a thoughtful kaleidoscope of McLean's complex persona, somewhat humanizing the legend while also painting the perilous path he took in life.

Enrapturing from the get-go, The Guv'nor takes you through McLean's formative years in the impoverished Hoxton area of London, where constant exposure to domestic violence, poverty, and crime, created the stage for his turbulent future. It explores the influence of an abusive stepfather and how the tainted experiences of a rough and ready London childhood drove McLean into dangerous adult pursuits.

The narrative further delves into McLean's journey from being a debt collector to his involvement in London's criminal underbelly and his eventual emergence as one of the most formidable bare-knuckle boxers of the time. His reputation on the streets of East London was immense and fear-inducing, the mention of his name spurring an unmatched level of terror amongst others.

The Guv'nor also showcases McLean's brief but impactful acting career that struck a chord with the larger public, giving them a more nuanced view of his complex character. Most notable of his acting stints, which still echo in the minds of many, is his role as 'Barry the Baptist' in Guy Ritchie's 1998 film Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, where his hardened East End personality was vividly captured on screen.

The documentary is neither a glorification nor a criticism of McLean’s life, but instead, attempts to give a compact view of his journey and how it affected those around him. The narrative presents a man tormented by his past, a victim of circumstances, who yet refused to play the victim, choosing to become a symbol of brute strength and power instead.

Though the film takes viewers through a cascade of violence, it isn't devoid of heart and presents McLean as an affectionate family man, dedicated to providing for those he loved. His son, Jamie McLean, provides intimate insights into his relationship with his father, painting a strikingly different, softer picture of the otherwise menacing figure.

Blending the past with the present, The Guv'nor makes a clear effort to break down the wall of fear surrounding McLean, dissecting the myth versus the reality of his life. Despite its uncompromising portrayal of violence and brutality, the film firmly manages to shine a light on the conflicted humanity of Lenny McLean.

There's something undeniably captivating about the documentary's window into a world that many may never know, firmly rooted in the reality of the East End's grimy streets. It's a tale of the harsh realities of a life lived on London's underbelly, a tale of survival and the pursuit of power in the face of adversity.

While some may see The Guv'nor as a chilling expose of a hardened criminal, others might interpret it as a poignant psychological study of a complicated man shaped by his circumstances. This engaging true-life story provides a graphic portrayal of the unpredictability of life on London streets, yet manages to evoke a sense of empathy and understanding for its protagonist. All in all, the film is an extraordinary testament to a life lesser known, unseen, and uncensored.

The Guv'nor is not for the faint-hearted; it is a hard-hitting and intense documentary showing the intense struggle of one man's journey from the bottom to the top. It captivates with its authenticity and command, pulling you into the unpredictable and precarious reality of Lenny McLean, the Guv'nor – a man who refused to be forgotten.