The Prince Charles Cinema

Memories of Murder [Salinui chueok]
2003 132mins South Korea (15) Crime / Thriller
Directed by Bong Joon Ho Starring Kang-ho Song, Sang-kyung Kim, Roe-ha Kim

In 1986, Park (Song Kang-ho) and Cho (Kim Roi-ha) are two simple-minded detectives assigned to a double murder investigation in a South Korean province. But when the murderer strikes several more times with the same pattern, the detectives realize that they are chasing the country's first documented serial killer. Relying on only their basic skills and tools, Park and Jo attempt to piece together the clues and solve the case in this thriller based on true events.

The Killer (1989)
1989 111mins Hong Kong (18) Action / Crime
Directed by John Woo Starring Chow Yun-Fat, Danny Lee Sau-Yin, Sally Yeh

Mob assassin Jeffrey is no ordinary hired gun; the best in his business, he views his chosen profession as a calling rather than simply a job. So, when beautiful nightclub chanteuse Jennie is blinded in the crossfire of his most recent hit, Jeffrey chooses to retire after one last job to pay for his unintended victim's sight-restoring operation. But when Jeffrey is double-crossed, he reluctantly joins forces with a rogue policeman to make things right.

The Godfather
1972 175mins USA (15) Crime
Directed by Francis Ford Coppola Starring Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall, Richard Castellano

Widely regarded as one of the greatest films of all time, this mob drama, based on Mario Puzo's novel of the same name, focuses on the powerful Italian-American crime family of Don Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando). When the don's youngest son, Michael (Al Pacino), reluctantly joins the Mafia, he becomes involved in the inevitable cycle of violence and betrayal. Although Michael tries to maintain a normal relationship with his wife, Kay (Diane Keaton), he is drawn deeper into the family business.

La Haine
1995 98mins France (15) Crime
Directed by Mathieu Kassovitz Starring Vincent Cassel, Hubert Koundé, Saïd Taghmaoui

Hatred breeds hatred...

24 hours in the lives of three young men in the French suburbs the day after a violent riot.

Thief
1981 122mins USA (18) Crime
Directed by Michael Mann Starring James Caan, Tuesday Weld, Willie Nelson

A highly skilled jewel thief, Frank (James Caan) longs to leave his dangerous trade and settle down with his girlfriend, Jessie (Tuesday Weld). Eager to make one last big score in order to begin living a legitimate life, Frank reluctantly associates with Leo (Robert Prosky), a powerful gangster. Unfortunately for Frank, Leo wants to keep him in his employ, resulting in a tense showdown when he finally tries to give up his criminal activities once and for all.

Badlands
1973 94mins USA (15) Crime / Romance
Directed by Terrence Malick Starring Sissy Spacek, Martin Sheen, Warren Oates

Badlands announced the arrival of a major talent: Terrence Malick. His impressionistic take on the notorious Charles Starkweather killing spree of the late 1950s uses a serial-killer narrative as a springboard for an oblique teenage romance, lovingly and idiosyncratically enacted by Martin Sheen and Sissy Spacek. The film introduced many of the elements that would earn Malick his passionate following: the enigmatic approach to narrative and character, the unusual use of voice-over, the juxtaposition of human violence with natural beauty, the poetic investigation of American dreams and nightmares. This debut has spawned countless imitations, but none have equaled its strange sublimity.

Goodfellas
1990 145mins USA (18) Crime
Directed by Martin Scorsese Starring Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci, Lorraine Bracco

Young Henry Hill (Ray Liotta), with his friends Jimmy (Robert De Niro) and Tommy (Joe Pesci), grows up in the mob and works very hard to advance himself through the ranks. He enjoys his life of money and luxury, but is oblivious to the horror that he causes. A drug addiction and a few mistakes ultimately unravel his climb to the top. Based on the book "Wiseguy" by Nicholas Pileggi.

Le Samourai
1967 105mins France, Italy (PG) Crime
Directed by Jean-Pierre Melville Starring Alain Delon, François Périer, Nathalie Delon, Caty Rosier, Jacques Leroy, Michel Boisrond

After professional hitman Jef Costello is seen by witnesses his efforts to provide himself an alibi drive him further into a corner.

Man Bites Dog
1992 95mins Belgium (18) Crime/Comedy
Directed by Rémy Belvaux|André Bonze|Benoit Poelvoorde Starring Benoit Poelvoorde, Jacqueline Poelvoorde Pappaert, Nelly Pappaert, Jenny Drye, Malou Madou, Willy Vandenbroeck

The activities of rampaging, indiscriminate serial killer Ben are recorded by a willingly complicit documentary team, who eventually become his accomplices and active participants. Ben provides casual commentary on the nature of his work and arbitrary musings on topics of interest to him, such as music or the conditions of low-income housing, and even goes so far as to introduce the documentary crew to his family. But their reckless indulgences soon get the better of them.

All About Lily Chou-Chou
2001 146mins Japan (15) Crime / Thriller
Directed by Shunji Iwai Starring Hayato Ichihara, Yû Aoi, Shûgo Oshinari, Ayumi Ito, Takao Ohsawa, Miwako Ichikawa, Izumi Inamori, Yû Aoii

For kids around the world, music is often the only salvation when the pain and anxiety of teenage life becomes too much to bear. Yuichi (Hayato Ichihara) is in the 8th grade and he worships Lily Chou-Chou, a Bjork-like chanteuse whose epic music is lush and transcendent. Yuichi only lives for Lily Chou-Chou's big Tokyo concert, where the lies and violence can be washed away by the presence of his goddess and her powerful music. But fate has yet another obstacle in store for Lily's devoted fan.

Heat
1995 171mins USA (15) Crime
Directed by Michael Mann Starring Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Val Kilmer

A group of high-end professional thieves start to feel the heat from the LAPD when they unknowingly leave a verbal clue at their latest heist.

Original Cut from a 35mm print. 

Mikey and Nicky
1976 106mins USA (15) Crime / Thriller
Directed by Elaine May Starring Peter Falk, John Cassavetes, Ned Beatty

Elaine May crafted a gangster film like no other in the nocturnal odyssey Mikey and Nicky, capitalising on the chemistry between frequent collaborators John Cassavetes and Peter Falk by casting them together as small-time mobsters whose lifelong relationship has turned sour. Set over the course of one night, this restless drama finds Nicky (Cassavetes) holed up in a hotel after the boss he stole money from puts a hit out on him. Terrified, he calls on Mikey (Falk), the one person he thinks can save him. Scripted to match the live-wire energy of its stars—alongside supporting players Ned Beatty, Joyce Van Patten, and Carol Grace—and inspired by real-life characters from May's own childhood, this unbridled portrait of male friendship turned tragic is an unsung masterpiece of American cinema.

Miracle Mile
1988 88mins USA (15) Crime / Thriller
Directed by Steve De Jarnatt Starring Anthony Edwards, Mare Winningham, John Agar

Presented with Post-Film Online Q&A with Director Steve De Jarnatt, as part of BLEAK WEEK 2026.

After 30 years of searching, Harry has finally met the girl of his dreams. Unfortunately, before they even have a chance to go on their first date, Harry intercepts some chilling news: WWIII has begun and nuclear missiles will destroy Los Angeles in less than an hour!

Kill List + Ben Wheatley Q&A
2011 95mins UK (18) Horror / Crime
Directed by Ben Wheatley Starring Neil Maskell, MyAnna Buring, Harry Simpson

Presented with a special 15th Anniversary Post-Film Q&A with Director Ben Wheatley, as part of BLEAK WEEK 2026.

Nearly a year after a botched job, a British soldier turn hitman takes a new assignment with the promise of a big payoff for three killings. What starts off as an easy task soon unravels, sending the killer into the heart of darkness.

A Better Tomorrow
1986 95mins Hong Kong (18) Action / Crime
Directed by John Woo Starring Ti Lung, Chow Yun-Fat, Leslie Cheung

A reforming ex-gangster tries to reconcile with his estranged policeman brother, but the ties to his former gang are difficult to break.

Dog Day Afternoon
1975 125mins USA (15) Crime / Thriller
Directed by Sidney Lumet Starring Al Pacino, John Cazale, Penelope Allen

When inexperienced criminal Sonny Wortzik (Al Pacino) leads a bank robbery in Brooklyn, things quickly go wrong, and a hostage situation develops. As Sonny and his accomplice, Sal Naturile (John Cazale), try desperately to remain in control, a media circus develops and the FBI arrives, creating even more tension. Gradually, Sonny's surprising motivations behind the robbery are revealed, and his standoff with law enforcement moves toward its inevitable end.

The Conversation
1974 113mins USA (12) Crime
Directed by Francis Ford Coppola Starring Gene Hackman, John Cazale, Allen Garfield, Robert Duvall, Harrison Ford

Harry Caul (Gene Hackman), a detached and paranoid surveillance expert who finds himself becoming a victim of the same modern technology he uses to destroy others. It begins with a seemingly routine job trailing an unfaithful wife and her lover. But when Harry visits the husband’s office to deliver the incriminating tapes he’s made of the couple, his client’s assistant tries to intercept him. Harry refuses to hand over the recordings and suddenly discovers that he may have captured a conversation about something that’s a lot more important than adulterous goings on.

The Sting
1973 129mins (PG) Comedy/Crime
Directed by George Roy Hill Starring Paul Newman, Robert Redford, Robert Shaw

A novice con man teams up with an acknowledged master to avenge the murder of a mutual friend by pulling off the ultimate big con and swindling a fortune from a big-time mobster.

To Live and Die in L.A.
1985 116mins USA (18) Crime
Directed by William Friedkin Starring John Turturro, William L. Petersen, Willem Dafoe, John Pankow, Debra Feuer

When his longtime partner on the force is killed, reckless U.S. Secret Service agent Richard Chance (William L. Petersen) vows revenge, setting out to nab dangerous counterfeit artist Eric Masters (Willem Dafoe). Along with his new, straitlaced partner, John Vukovich (John Pankow), Chance sets up a scheme to entrap Masters, resulting in the accidental death of an undercover officer. As Chance's desire for justice becomes an obsession, Vukovich questions the lawless methods he employs.

High and Low
1963 143mins Japan (12) Crime / Thriller
Directed by Akira Kurosawa Starring Toshirô Mifune, Tatsuya Nakadai, Kyôko Kagawa

Toshiro Mifune is unforgettable as Kingo Gondo, a wealthy industrialist whose family becomes the target of a cold-blooded kidnapper in High and Low (Tengoku to jigoku), the highly influential domestic drama and police procedural from director Akira Kurosawa. Adapting Ed McBain's detective novel King's Ransom, Kurosawa moves effortlessly from compelling race-against-time thriller to exacting social commentary, creating a diabolical treatise on contemporary Japanese society.

Sleepers
1996 147mins USA (18) Crime / Thriller
Directed by Barry Levinson Starring Kevin Bacon, Robert De Niro, Dustin Hoffman, Billy Crudup, Jason Patric, Minnie Driver

Four teenage friends from Hell's Kitchen end up being sent to reform school after almost killing a man. There they are brutalized by the guards. John (Ron Eldard) and Tommy (Billy Crudup) grow up to be hit men who recognize their abuser years later and kill him. Their trial is prosecuted by another member of their gang, who is now the assistant DA.

Police Story
1985 100mins Hong Kong (15) Action / Crime
Directed by Jackie Chan Starring Brigitte Lin, Charlie Cho, Chor Yuen, Jackie Chan, Maggie Cheung

An honest Hong Kong cop protecting a Triad boss's girlfriend-turned-informer, finds himself framed for the murder of a dirty cop and going on the run. The movie mixes slapstick with wild stunts and features some painful outtakes during the final credits.

Cool Hand Luke
1967 125mins USA (15) Crime
Directed by Stuart Rosenberg Starring Paul Newman, George Kennedy, Strother Martin

Academy Award winner Paul Newman stars with George Kennedy in this story of a man who will not surrender to authority--even at the cost of his life. When Luke Jackson (Newman) is sentenced to a Southern prison for a minor infraction, his intelligence, calm under pressure and inability to accept defeat soon gain him the respect of his fellow inmates on the chain gang--and the nickname Cool Hand Luke. But they also earn Luke the enmity of the warden, who cannot allow any inmate to challenge his authority. When Luke's mother dies, he decides to escape ... and he will not allow anyone to stop him.

Night of the Juggler
1980 101mins USA (18) Crime / Thriller
Directed by Robert Butler Starring James Brolin, Cliff Gorman, Richard S. Castellano

A young girl is kidnapped in broad daylight in Central Park by a murderous psychopath (Cliff Gorman, All That Jazz), who plans to demand a huge ransom for her return, mistakenly believing she is the daughter of a wealthy property developer. Unfortunately for him, she’s actually the daughter of Sean Boyd (James Brolin, True Grit), a devoted dad and grizzled ex-cop who will stop at absolutely nothing to get her back, even if it means taking out the kidnapper, his enemies in the NYPD, and the entire scuzzy underworld populating the mean streets of 1970s New York…

Adapted from a novel by William P. McGivern (The Big HeatOdds Against Tomorrow) and directed by Sidney J Furie (The Ipcress File) and Robert Butler (Turbulence), Night of the Juggler is a relentless, adrenaline packed crime thriller, combining staggering action-packed chase sequences, incredible photography (Victor J. Kemper, Dog Dag Afternoon) of the mean streets of 1970s New York at the peak of its notorious ‘Fear City’ era, and a superlative cast of supporting character actors, including Dan Hedaya, Mandy Patinkin, Richard S. Castellano, Barton Heyman and Julie Carmen.

Long unavailable on home video formats, Transmission is proud to present an all time cult classic restored in glorious 4K - presented on cinema screens in London for the first time ever. Link to 4K Blu-Ray Pre-order!

Hard Boiled
1992 128mins Hong Kong (18) Action / Crime
Directed by John Woo Starring Chow Yun-Fat, Tony Leung Chiu-wai, Teresa Mo Shun-Kwan

A cop who loses his partner in a shoot-out with gun smugglers goes on a mission to catch them. In order to get closer to the leaders of the ring he joins forces with an undercover cop who's working as a gangster hitman. They use all means of excessive force to find them.

Please Note: We plan to have the 35mm print of Hard Boiled on site in the New Year to check on its quality, and if we find it is unsuitable for screening, we will switch to the new 4K restoration courtesy of Arrow Films!

Lilya 4-Ever (Lilja 4-ever)
2002 109mins Denmark, Sweden (18) Crime / Thriller
Directed by Lukas Moodysson Starring Oksana Akinshina, Elina Benenson, Pavel Ponomarjov, Lilija Sjinkarjova, Artiom Bogucharskij, Ljubov Agapova

Lilya (Oksana Akinshina) lives in poverty and dreams of a better life. Her mother moves to the United States and abandons her to her aunt (Liliya Shinkaryova), who neglects her. Lilya hangs out with her friends, Natasha (Elina Benenson) and Volodya (Artiom Bogucharski), who is suicidal. Desperate for money, she starts working as a prostitute, and later meets Andrei (Pavel Ponomaryov). He offers her a good job in Sweden, but when Lilya arrives her life quickly enters a downward spiral.

Prisoners
2013 153mins USA (15) Crime / Thriller
Directed by Denis Villeneuve Starring Paul Dano, Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Viola Davis, Melissa Leo, Maria Bello

Keller Dover (Hugh Jackman) faces a parent's worst nightmare when his 6-year-old daughter, Anna, and her friend go missing. The only lead is an old motorhome that had been parked on their street. The head of the investigation, Detective Loki (Jake Gyllenhaal), arrests the driver (Paul Dano), but a lack of evidence forces Loki to release his only suspect. Dover, knowing that his daughter's life is at stake, decides that he has no choice but to take matters into his own hands.

Miami Vice
2006 123mins USA (15) Action / Crime
Directed by Michael Mann Starring Ciarán Hinds, Colin Farrell, Gong Li, Jamie Foxx, Justin Theroux, Naomie Harris

A case involving drug lords and murder in South Florida takes a personal turn for undercover detectives Sonny Crockett (Colin Farrell) and Ricardo Tubbs (Jamie Foxx). Unorthodox Crockett gets involved romantically with the Chinese-Cuban wife of a trafficker of arms and drugs, while Tubbs deals with an assault on those he loves.

Some Like It Hot
1959 121mins USA (U) Crime/Comedy
Directed by Billy Wilder Starring Jack Lemmon, Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis

After witnessing a Mafia murder, slick saxophone player Joe (Tony Curtis) and his long-suffering buddy, Jerry (Jack Lemmon), improvise a quick plan to escape from Chicago with their lives. Disguising themselves as women, they join an all-female jazz band and hop a train bound for sunny Florida. While Joe pretends to be a millionaire to win the band's sexy singer, Sugar (Marilyn Monroe), Jerry finds himself pursued by a real millionaire (Joe E. Brown) as things heat up and the mobsters close in.

Casino
1995 178mins USA (18) Crime / Thriller
Directed by Martin Scorsese Starring Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone, Joe Pesci

In early-1970s Las Vegas, low-level mobster Sam "Ace" Rothstein (Robert De Niro) gets tapped by his bosses to head the Tangiers Casino. At first, he's a great success in the job, but over the years, problems with his loose-cannon enforcer Nicky Santoro (Joe Pesci), his ex-hustler wife Ginger (Sharon Stone), her con-artist ex Lester Diamond (James Woods) and a handful of corrupt politicians put Sam in ever-increasing danger. Martin Scorsese directs this adaptation of Nicholas Pileggi's book.

Reservoir Dogs
1992 100mins USA (18) Crime
Directed by Quentin Tarantino Starring Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Michael Madsen, Chris Penn, Quentin Tarantino

A botched robbery indicates a police informant, and the pressure mounts in the aftermath at a warehouse. Crime begets violence as the survivors – veteran Mr. White, newcomer Mr. Orange, psychopathic parolee Mr. Blonde, bickering weasel Mr. Pink and Nice Guy Eddie – unravel.