Three teenage brothers, gang-member Bobby, troubled mama's boy Alan and self-assured prankster Lex, reside in a downtrodden section of Glasgow, Scotland, circa 1968. But while Bobby and Alan are beginning to experience the power of raging hormones, the story focuses on Lex, who begins a downward spiral after he accidentally shoots the leader of Bobby's gang. Lex's cockiness and immaturity unfortunately prevent him from understanding the effect his subsequent crimes will have on both himself, and on those around him.
Acting
Iain Robertson's devastating spiral from cocky to broken
Cinematography
Suffocating tenement corridors that trap the characters
Direction
MacKinnon balances tenderness with sudden violence
Director
Gillies MacKinnon
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Tongland refers to the actual Tong area of Glasgow's East End, notorious for razor gangs in the 1930s-60s; the film captures its last gasp before slum clearances.
The title comes from a Small Faces song, but Gillies MacKinnon originally wanted to use 'All or Nothing' until the budget couldn't clear it.
GB
