Character Relationship Map: The Krays

Characters

• Ronald Kray (played by Gary Kemp) — protagonist

  Ronald is one of the Kray twins and the dominant force in his relationship with his brother, Reggie. As the twins rise to lead a powerful organised gang in 1960s London, Ronald influences Reggie to ca...

• Reggie Kray (played by Martin Kemp) — protagonist

  Reggie is Ronald's twin brother and is repeatedly influenced by Ronald, the dominant of the two, as they rise to power as leaders of an organised gang in 1960s London. The story follows Reggie from ch...

• Violet Kray (played by Billie Whitelaw) — supporting

  Violet is the twins' doting mother and a central figure in the film's account of their family life. The story follows Ronald and Reggie from childhood to adulthood, with their relationship with Violet...

• Jack 'The Hat' McVitie (played by Tom Bell) — supporting

  Jack 'The Hat' McVitie is suspected of cheating Ronald and Reggie. Reggie confronts him but allows him to leave with a warning. Jack's insults and apparent disregard for the brothers' threat suggest t...

• George Cornell (played by Steven Berkoff) — supporting

  George Cornell is an opponent of the Kray brothers. The account places him among the rivals whose hostility toward them is described as personal. His presence contributes to the growing danger and opp...

• Cannonball Lee (played by Jimmy Jewel) — minor

  Cannonball Lee is the opponent Ronald faces at a boxing show when the twins are boys. Ronald steps into the ring and wins against him, an early experience that reveals the brothers' appetite for fight...

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Violet Kray → Reggie Kray (Family Mother And Son) — Violet cares for Reggie with fierce devotion throughout the account of the twins' childhood.

  Violet gives birth to Reggie and raises him with fierce devotion, protecting him when illness and harsh conditions threaten his health.

• Violet Kray → Ronald Kray (Family Mother And Son) — Violet's devoted care shapes Ronald's childhood and is a central part of the family's story.

  Violet gives birth to Ronald and raises him with fierce devotion, protecting him when illness and harsh conditions threaten his health.

• Ronald Kray → Reggie Kray (Family Dominant Twin Brother) — Their close twin bond is shaped by Ronald's dominance and influence over Reggie as they rise in London's criminal world.

  The plot identifies Ronald and Reggie as twins and says Ronald repeatedly influences Reggie to carry out violence.

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Reggie Kray → George Cornell (Conflict Personal Rivals) — Reggie is included among the brothers facing personal hostility from George Cornell.

  The plot says the brothers face opposition from George Cornell and describes the hostility as personal.

• Ronald Kray → George Cornell (Conflict Personal Rivals) — George Cornell is identified as a personal adversary amid the growing danger around the Krays.

  The plot says the brothers face opposition from George Cornell and describes the hostility as personal.

• Ronald Kray → Jack 'The Hat' McVitie (Conflict Criminal Adversaries) — Jack's suspected cheating and defiance make him a source of conflict for the brothers.

  Jack is suspected of cheating the Kray brothers, and others urge the brothers to deal with him more harshly after Reggie lets him leave.

• Reggie Kray → Jack 'The Hat' McVitie (Conflict Threatening Confrontation) — Reggie warns Jack over suspected cheating, but Jack's response leaves the dispute unresolved.

  When Jack is suspected of cheating the brothers, Reggie confronts him and lets him leave with a warning. Jack's insults and disregard for the threat s...

• Ronald Kray → Cannonball Lee (Conflict Boxing Opponents) — Their ring contest introduces Ronald's early appetite for fighting.

  At a boxing show, Ronald steps into the ring and wins against Cannonball Lee.

Story Analysis

The story follows the twins from a devoted family upbringing into a violent criminal world, where power, loyalty, and personal consequences remain unresolved.

Plot Progression

1. A Mother's Fierce Devotion — Violet's dream precedes the difficult birth of the twins. She raises Ronald and Reggie with fierce devotion, protecting them through illness and harsh conditions.
2. The Brothers Become Fearsome — The boys encounter boxing, and Ronald wins against Cannonball Lee. As they grow up close, they become known for violence and intimidation.
3. Warnings and Rivalries — The adult brothers enter London's criminal world, where suspicion of Jack's cheating leads Reggie to confront and warn him. Jack's defiance and the personal hostility of George Cornell leave the broth...
4. The Cost of Their Power — A young woman is left with a broken back, and Reggie discusses providing for her and her mother. Ronald's frightening confrontations and demands show the controlling loyalties that persist around him.
5. An Unresolved Coda — Ronald talks with a singer after her performance while people around them exchange greetings and compliments. The excerpt offers no clear resolution to the brothers' rivalries or personal relationship...