‘Legend’ Movie Ending Explained

Set in East London during the 1960s, Legend opens with the Kray twins, Reggie (Tom Hardy) and Ronnie (Tom Hardy), already established as rising figures in London’s underworld. Reggie is portrayed as the ambitious, charismatic twin, aiming to expand their criminal empire through organized crime, while Ronnie is shown as the more dangerous and erratic sibling, suffering from paranoid schizophrenia. Together, they take control of nightclubs, run protection rackets, and gain notoriety among London’s elite.

The Krays’ growing influence soon attracts the attention of the American Mafia, and they form strategic alliances to strengthen their criminal empire. However, the twins’ relationship is fraught with tension, as Reggie struggles to control Ronnie’s increasingly erratic behaviour. Ronnie’s violent outbursts and unstable mental state create friction with their business associates, and it becomes clear that Ronnie’s unpredictability is a major liability.

Amidst the chaos of their criminal lives, Reggie falls in love with Frances Shea (Emily Browning), a local girl who dreams of a better life away from the crime and violence that define Reggie’s world. Reggie’s romance with Frances provides a glimpse into his desire for a more legitimate life, and the two eventually marry. However, Frances becomes increasingly disillusioned with Reggie’s inability to escape his criminal ties and his loyalty to Ronnie, which ultimately causes a strain on their relationship.

As tensions rise between the brothers and Frances, the Kray empire begins to unravel. Frances becomes isolated and depressed, struggling with her mental health as Reggie continues to prioritize his brother over her. Ronnie’s instability reaches a tipping point, and the twins’ criminal operations start to fall apart as they become targets for both rival gangs and law enforcement.

The climax of Legend occurs when Reggie, devastated by Frances’ suicide, reaches a breaking point. His grief over her death leads to a final act of violence that seals the fate of both brothers. In a moment of uncontrollable rage, Reggie brutally murders Jack “the Hat” McVitie (Sam Spruell), an associate who had crossed the twins. The murder is particularly brutal, highlighting Reggie’s internal struggle between wanting to leave the life of crime and being pulled back into it by loyalty to his brother and the world they’ve built together.

This violent act is significant because it gives Detective Leonard “Nipper” Read (Christopher Eccleston) the evidence he needs to finally arrest the Krays. Up until that point, the police had struggled to gather enough concrete evidence to bring down the twins, as their fearsome reputation kept potential witnesses silent. The murder of McVitie, however, is too egregious to ignore, and it provides the police with the leverage they need to take down the Kray empire.

The film concludes with Reggie being sentenced to life in prison, a fate shared by his brother Ronnie. In the final moments, we see Reggie in his cell, reflecting on the choices that led him to this point. The film ends with a montage of key moments from their rise to power, emphasizing the inextricable link between their success and their eventual downfall.

The ending of Legend is both tragic and inevitable, shaped by the choices that Reggie and Ronnie made throughout their lives. From the very beginning, their empire was built on violence and fear, which made it unsustainable in the long run. While Reggie had aspirations for a legitimate life with Frances, his loyalty to Ronnie and their criminal empire made it impossible for him to escape that world.

Ronnie’s mental health issues are a major factor in the Krays’ downfall. His violent tendencies and erratic behaviour not only alienated potential allies but also made him a constant threat to the stability of their empire. Despite Reggie’s best efforts to manage Ronnie’s outbursts, the pressure of running the criminal operation while dealing with his brother’s instability eventually became too much to bear.

Frances’ death marks the turning point for Reggie. Her suicide is a direct result of her isolation and disillusionment with Reggie’s inability to leave the life of crime behind. After her death, Reggie loses the one person who gave him hope for a different life, and his grief and anger lead him to make the fatal decision to murder Jack McVitie.

The murder is a symbolic act that represents Reggie’s complete descent into the violent world he had tried to escape. Without Frances to ground him, Reggie is consumed by the same rage and violence that defined Ronnie’s personality. In the end, the Kray twins are undone not by external forces but by their own internal conflicts and destructive choices.

Legend is based on the book The Profession of Violence: The Rise and Fall of the Kray Twins by John Pearson, which chronicles the true story of the Kray twins’ rise to power and their eventual downfall. The book delves into the twins’ criminal activities, their complex relationship, and the psychological factors that influenced their behaviour.

The film adaptation stays true to the central themes of the book, focusing on the brothers’ relationship and the moral complexities of their lives. While certain aspects of their criminal empire are glamorized for cinematic effect, the film captures the darker side of their personalities, particularly Ronnie’s mental instability and Reggie’s internal conflict between love and loyalty.

Frances Shea, portrayed by Emily Browning, is one of the most tragic figures in the film. Her relationship with Reggie is complex, defined by both love and despair. Frances falls in love with Reggie’s charm and the promise of a better life, but as the film progresses, it becomes clear that Reggie’s loyalty to Ronnie will always come before his relationship with her.

Frances’ mental health deteriorates as she becomes more isolated, trapped in a world of violence and crime that she never wanted to be a part of. Despite her love for Reggie, Frances ultimately realizes that he is incapable of leaving his life of crime behind, and this realization leads her to take her own life. Her death is a pivotal moment in the film, as it pushes Reggie further into the violent world he had tried to shield her from.

The ending of Legend elicited mixed reactions from viewers, with some praising the film’s unflinching portrayal of the Kray twins’ violent downfall, while others felt that the film glamorized their criminal activities. Many viewers were impressed by Tom Hardy’s dual performance as both Reggie and Ronnie, with his portrayal of the complex relationship between the twins being a highlight of the film.

Some viewers were struck by the tragic nature of Reggie’s character arc, particularly his internal struggle between love and loyalty. The final act, where Reggie murders Jack McVitie in a fit of rage, left many viewers reflecting on the consequences of a life built on violence and the inevitable collapse of the Kray empire.

While the film does not shy away from depicting the brutality of the Krays’ actions, it also humanizes them, particularly Reggie, who is portrayed as a man torn between two worlds. The ending serves as a reminder that, despite their power and influence, the Kray twins were ultimately brought down by their own choices.

Legend is a gripping crime drama that offers a fascinating glimpse into the lives of the Kray twins, two of Britain’s most notorious gangsters. The film’s exploration of their rise to power, their relationship, and their eventual downfall is both compelling and tragic. Tom Hardy’s portrayal of both Reggie and Ronnie is masterful, capturing the complexities of their characters and their turbulent relationship.

The ending of Legend is a stark reminder of the consequences of a life built on violence and crime. While Reggie and Ronnie achieved a level of fame and power, their internal conflicts and destructive choices ultimately led to their downfall. Frances’ tragic death and Reggie’s subsequent descent into violence serve as the emotional core of the film, making Legend a powerful and thought-provoking portrayal of the Kray twins’ rise and fall.