The film 'Bronson'.

Tom Hardy as Charles Bronson

I was unsure about watching the film 'Bronson' but I am glad I have seen it. Tom Hardy who plays Charlie Bronson is excellent. It's hard to tell whether he inhabits the character or the character inhibits him! The film in my opinion is original and pacy, not slow like 'The Young Victoria', I do realise it is a totally different genre, but there's far more substance to this film. The film is based on Bronson's life but it's not a copy of it. The music is spellbinding throughout. Verdi's 'Nabucco', Paccini's 'Madam Butterfly' plus numbers by 'The Pet Shop Boys' and those were just the ones I knew.

The film is about Britain's most violent prison inmate. He was first sentenced in the 1970's when he got 7 years imprisonment for a Post Office robbery; he got away with less that £50 and no one was hurt. What does that say about today's sentencing policy? He would get off with a slap on the wrist and six month probation these days.

Born Michael Peterson, he changed his name to Charles Bronson after the film star of the same name; this was done when he was released from Rampton after being declared sane. He felt the name carried more kudos than his own and to be noticed is what Charlie wants most.

I have an interest in following this guy's progress as my former husband (Gov.1 in a maximum security jail - middle England.) had him for a while. Charlie was *ghosted a lot in those days. *nb. passed around the prison system, when an inmate places too much strain on resources in one establishment, (Charlie, with his hostage taking and violence) he gets moved to another on a 'round robin' basis.

The part is beautifully played by Tom Hardy, beautiful but brutal. He leads you to feel an empathy with Bronson.

Charlie Bronson has served a total of 34 years in prison, 30 of them have been served in solitary confinement because of his constant hostage taking of Prison officers and staff, and persistent violence. Those who guard him and have to deal with psychological problems and physical brutality; they are not equipped to deal with this kind of situation. This is why it makes me so mad when people, who are usually uninformed on the subject, criticize the prison regime as being soft and Prison Officers of having nothing to do. They do one of the hardest jobs around and they do not get, nor do they ask for, any recognition.

Bronson is still serving time.