Empire State is a 1987 British film about gang warfare over American investment in the East End of London, directed by Ron Peck.
Synopsis In the late eighties, investment and redevelopment of the East End of London is well underway. Empire State, a sumptuous nightclub, attracts crowds. However, under the control of gangland boss Frank Wright (Ray McAnally) it is also a cover for gangland violence and drug dealing. As new investment capital flows into the city, a gangland turf war is underway, with the area's older generation of gangsters, led by Frank, being challenged by ambitious upstarts like Paul (Ian Sears). When an American called Chuck (Martin Landau) arrives in the city intending to invest a substantial amount of capital in the Docklands redevelopment, everyone becomes interested. Caught in the midst of this turmoil are receptionists Marion and Tricia, out for a night on the town; call girl Susan and her increasingly insane lover Danny, drifter Pete, rent boy Johnny, and boxers intent on proving themselves in illegal bare-fist combat at the club. Journalist Richard delves into the internal workings of the club, trying to find out details about Empire State and the criminal activity that occurs there. After the climactic bare-knuckle boxing competition, Danny finds Marion at the night club with her night's companion, and opens fire on the club's entrance.
Cast Cathryn Harrison – Marion Jason Hoganson – Pete Glen Murphy – Vincenzo Jamie Foreman – Danny Emily Bolton – Susan Ian Sears – Paul Martin Landau – Chuck Lorcan Cranitch – Richard Ray McAnally – Frank Lee Drysdale – Johnny Jenny Bolt – Tricia Jimmy Flint – Billy John Levitt – Harry Ian McCurrach – 'Metropolis' editor Elizabeth Hickling – Cheryl Perry Fenwick – Darren Michelle Collins – Emma
Response The film was criticised at the time for its uneven pacing, rudimentary characterisation and acting skills of many of its cast. However, after the redevelopment of the Docklands area in the late eighties and early nineties, which had only begun when Empire State was filmed, architectural students have noted the contrast between the transitional status of derelict buildings and the imminent arrival of capital in the area to construct new apartments and corporate premises.Paul Newland: "Docklands: The Clearing of the Misery?" in P. Newland: The Cultural Construction of London's East End: Leiden: Brill: 2008
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