The Firm

The Firm

Year: 1989

Runtime: 70 mins

Language: English

Director: Alan Clarke

DramaCrime

We come in peace, we leave you in pieces A seemingly respectable estate agent leads a double life as the head of a vicious, well-organised gang of football hooligans.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – The Firm (1989)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Firm (1989). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1980s

Set in the 1980s, a period notorious for football hooliganism and street-level rivalries in the UK. The imminent European Championship hosted in West Germany shapes the calendar and heightens the stakes for the firms. The era’s social atmosphere and media attention amplify the violence and bravado surrounding the gangs.

Location

Tower Hotel, London, England, West Germany

The film unfolds in urban England, with key scenes around the Tower Hotel in London where rival firms meet. Street clashes and gritty pubs color the ICC’s world, reflecting a working-class underworld. The looming European Championship in West Germany provides a high-stakes backdrop that intensifies rivalries and the resolve of Bexy and his crew.

🏙️ Urban setting ⚔️ Hooligan culture 👥 Group identity

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:34

Main Characters – The Firm (1989)

Meet the key characters of The Firm (1989), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Clive Bissell (Bexy)

Charismatic leader of the ICC who uses intimidation to unify rival gangs into a single force. He craves respect and status, even as his violence endangers those around him. His arc peaks in a deadly confrontation with Yeti, after which his legend continues to shape the firm’s actions.

🔥 Charismatic leader 🗡️ Violent 🤝 Loyal to his crew

Sue Bissell

Clive Bissell’s wife, uneasy about his criminal lifestyle and its impact on their family. She challenges the disconnect between his respectable job and his violent reputation, creating emotional tension at home. Her perspective offers a counterpoint to the gang’s myth of heroism.

💬 Wife's perspective 🛡️ Domestic tension

Yeti

Leader of The Buccaneers and Bexy’s rival; a formidable opponent capable of lethal violence, including the gun threat that ends their clash. His presence drives the conflict and his death fuels the ICC’s myth-making. He embodies the ruthless edge of hooligan warfare.

⚔️ Rival gang leader 🗡️ Lethal violence 💥 Fearsome presence

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:34

Major Themes – The Firm (1989)

Explore the central themes of The Firm (1989), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🤝 Loyalty

Bexy’s leadership hinges on forging loyalty across rival groups and maintaining a feared, admired image. The ICC relies on shared rituals and the promise of status to keep members aligned, even as violence looms. The film examines how loyalty can bind people to a destructive path and justify dangerous actions.

💥 Violence

Violence provides a perverse sense of power and a 'buzz' that drives Bexy and his followers. The clashes with the Buccaneers reveal a mix of bravado, strategy, and fear, culminating in a fatal encounter. The narrative questions whether such violence creates heroes or merely sustains a brutal tradition.

🌍 Legacy & Perception

The closing moments frame Bexy as a legend whose death fuels a self-perpetuating myth among his peers. Family and community simultaneously view him as a joke and a visionary, highlighting the gap between personal reality and public image. The film shows how media and rivalries perpetuate the myth of the working-class hero.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:34

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Unlock the Full Story of The Firm

Don't stop at just watching — explore The Firm in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what The Firm is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The Firm Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Firm, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

The Firm Summary

The Firm Timeline

Track the full timeline of The Firm with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

The Firm Timeline

More About The Firm

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Firm: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About The Firm

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