A famed hard man and East End legend is the centre of this documentary. Lenny ‘The Guv’nor’ McLean lived a life of unlicensed boxing, street fighting and the love of his family. Working class and proud McLean lived in Hoxton in East London. He was a doorman at a local club, had attempts made on his life for simply being there. Turned to being a boxing warrior that took on the best in his game like ex Broadmoor inmate Roy ‘Pretty Boy’ Shaw (who was considered insane and likely was) in three famous bouts, which saw him win two. In later life he starred in gangster films like Lock Stock and two smoking barrels and he sadly died at the young age of 49. The story of a legend and the Guv’nor.

Its title suggests a documentary that is hosted by Danny Dyer and looking at some cockney wide boy that knew how to thumb geezers. What you actually get is a very well constructed examination of a tortured soul. Lenny McLean was abused remorselessly as a child by a step father who was a monster. He was, like many have said of fighting dogs, turned by nurture into a wild fighting machine. He was also an interesting, tender, kind man. A man that could fight to the death with another but also could joke and hug his kids.

This is the reason to watch the film. This man who appeared in films and on TV is an apparition. The real man is a modern mild man that I would have liked to go to the pub with and interviewed. This man that fought confirmed maniacs and may or may not have killed a man with his bare hands over a woman was a nice man. Forget his sons voice over that is built on a legacy that he sometimes fails to substantiate (more the film makers fault than his).  Take the great mans words as the true mark of character.

Out October 10th