Mad Frank: Britain's Most Dangerous Criminal! is probably the best of the Gangster Videos reviewed today (the others are The Krays: Geordie Connection and Roy Shaw: Brute Force), but that isn't saying very much. First and foremost, the most egregious faults of "Gangstervision," that fake, arbitrary method of shooting these documentaries to make them look gritty and tough, is toned down here. And second, we actually have some differing points of view in this documentary -- although that's faint praise, too, because all the points come from the criminals -- not from anybody else.

"Mad" Frankie Fraser was a career criminal, pronounced insane three times by the Crown, who proudly lists his achievements in this DVD as thief, murderer, arsonist, and extortionist. Having spent over forty years of his life in prison, Fraser is best known for having hooked up in the 1960's with the Charlie and Eddie Richardson gang -- the deadly rivals of the Kray twins. And...um...that's it. I mean, that's what he's known for -- for being a monster. And thus, in today's twisted society, he's worthy of his own website, appearances on TV series where he's treated like an avuncular uncle, his own line of merchandise, and of course, starring roles in DVDs like this. Good luck trying to book him for your kid's next birthday party; his services come at a pretty pound, and he's booked solid for the next year.

One of the small pluses to Mad Frank: Britain's Most Dangerous Criminal! is that at least we get some dissenting voices as to the mythology built up around Mad Frankie. According to some people, Frank wasn't such a great guy; he may even be a bit of a wannabe. However, this "even-handed" treatment isn't exactly kosher according to the rules of good documentaries, because all those voices come from other equaling appalling criminals. I won't believe one of them if they said the sun rose in the morning, and set at night. Where are the cops in these videos? Where are the innocent victims of these heinous criminals? According to some in these videos, including that ding-a-ling director Michael Winner (Death Wish 1 through 34), these criminals only hurt their own -- never the innocent civilians. That sounds exactly like the arguments you hear from mob apologists here in America: relax; they only kill their own.

But of course, these documentaries from Gangster Videos aren't interested in presenting balanced portrayals of what might really have happened with these thugs, or the negative impact they've had on society. These videos cater directly to the hooligans and wannabes that think it's fun to hear Mad Frankie gleefully describe how he tried to bury a hatchet in another gangster's head. There's no redeeming social value to these documentaries, just sensationalism and misplaced hero worship for a repulsive psychotic and the other dregs of society.

The DVD:

The Video:
"Gangstervision" is toned down here, and that's a most welcome relief for the viewer. It's still a rough assemblage of camcorder video and talking heads interviews.

The Audio:
The mono track is fine, if inexpressive, but then again -- it's no worse than your home videos. At least Mad Frankie speaks more clearly than Roy Shaw. Captioning or subtitles still would have been nice.

The Extras:

Final Thoughts:
As amusing as it initially may seem to see one monster call another monster a monster, Mad Frank: Britain's Most Dangerous Criminal! has a twisted agenda, just as the other Gangster Videos do: glorify real-life criminals. Listening to Mad Frankie's and his cohorts' side, you'd think the only criminals in England were the prison guards and cops that keep animals like him at bay. When asked what his biggest regret in the world was, Mad Frankie doesn't mention family, or country, or even personal growth. Mad Frankie says, "I wish I had never been caught." That pretty much sums up Mad Frankie, and you'd be well advised to steer clear of him, and this DVD. Skip it.