Snatch (2000)

Last updated:
August 24, 2025

Guy Ritchie’s Snatch (2000) is a British crime-comedy film that has become a cult classic thanks to its razor-sharp dialogue, non-linear storytelling, and a gallery of colorful characters. If Quentin Tarantino had been raised on East London slang and bare-knuckle boxing, this is probably the movie he would have made.

Table of Contents

Detailed Summary

The Diamond Heist

The story kicks off in Antwerp, Belgium, where a group of Jewish thieves led by Franky Four Fingers (Benicio del Toro) steal an 86-carat diamond. Franky is supposed to deliver it to his boss, Cousin Avi (Dennis Farina), in New York. Instead, he makes a stop in London to try his luck in illegal gambling—a decision that sets off a domino effect of chaos.

Turkish, Tommy, and the Boxing World

Meanwhile, two small-time boxing promoters, Turkish (Jason Statham) and his nervous sidekick Tommy (Stephen Graham), are trying to get into the underground fight business. Their path crosses with local crime lord Brick Top (Alan Ford), a brutal gangster known for feeding his enemies to pigs. Brick Top forces them into fixing boxing matches in his favor.

Enter Mickey the Pikey

When Tommy tries to buy a caravan from a group of Irish Travellers (often referred to as “Pikeys” in the film), he meets Mickey O’Neil (Brad Pitt), a charismatic but incomprehensible bare-knuckle boxer. Mickey’s mother dies in a revenge arson, and his loyalty is put to the test. More importantly, Mickey proves to be an unbeatable fighter—throwing a massive wrench into Brick Top’s rigged plans.

Boris the Blade, Bullet-Tooth Tony, and the Chase for the Diamond

Franky Four Fingers is intercepted by Boris “The Blade” (Rade Šerbedžija), a Russian gangster who wants the diamond for himself. Cousin Avi, furious about the delays, flies to London and hires Bullet-Tooth Tony (Vinnie Jones) to track down Franky and the gem. What follows is a web of betrayals, mistaken identities, and shootouts involving amateur robbers, gangsters, and unlucky hustlers.

Movie Ending

The final act ties together all the loose threads in spectacular fashion. Brick Top forces Turkish and Tommy to put Mickey into a rigged boxing match, threatening to kill them if Mickey doesn’t go down in the fourth round. What Brick Top doesn’t know is that Mickey has a plan of his own.

In the climactic fight, Mickey deliberately waits until the fourth round, then lands a devastating knockout punch that floors his opponent. This double-cross infuriates Brick Top, who storms out of the arena with his men, intending to slaughter Mickey and his people.

But the Travellers have anticipated this move. While Mickey is in the ring, his clan ambushes Brick Top and his crew outside, executing them and disposing of their bodies. With Brick Top gone, Turkish and Tommy are free from his threats.

The next morning, Turkish and Tommy go to the Travellers’ campsite to confront Mickey—only to find the entire camp has vanished. The Travellers left overnight, leaving no trace behind. The only thing left is the dog they sold Tommy earlier in the film.

As a final twist, that same dog swallows the massive diamond. Turkish and Tommy, realizing what just happened, bring the dog to a veterinarian. While waiting, they are picked up by the police, who question them about why they were at the empty camp. They deny everything and are released.

The film ends with Turkish and Tommy delivering the dog—and the diamond—to Cousin Avi, who is ecstatic. Avi immediately flies back to New York, and Turkish narrates the conclusion in his trademark dry style.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, Snatch does not have a post-credits scene. The story closes with Avi flying back to America, tying up the diamond storyline, and the credits roll with no additional scenes.

Type of Movie

Snatch is a British crime-comedy with elements of dark humor, action, and ensemble storytelling. It’s often categorized as a heist film, though its real focus is on interconnected criminal misadventures rather than a single central crime.

Cast

Jason Statham as Turkish
Stephen Graham as Tommy
Brad Pitt as Mickey O’Neil
Benicio del Toro as Franky Four Fingers
Alan Ford as Brick Top
Dennis Farina as Cousin Avi
Rade Šerbedžija as Boris the Blade
Vinnie Jones as Bullet-Tooth Tony
Lennie James, Robbie Gee, Ade as Sol, Vinny, and Tyrone

Film Music and Composer

The film’s soundtrack is a patchwork of funk, rock, and hip-hop tracks that perfectly suit its fast-paced style. Notable songs include “Golden Brown” by The Stranglers, “Fuckin’ in the Bushes” by Oasis, and “Lucky Star” by Madonna. The score itself was composed by John Murphy and Massive Attack’s Neil Davidge, giving it a gritty yet stylish edge.

Filming Locations

London, UK – Most of the film was shot around East London, adding authenticity to its gangster underworld setting.
Hatfield, Hertfordshire – Some scenes were shot here, particularly boxing sequences.
The use of real London streets and grimy locales helped root the exaggerated story in a believable environment.

Awards and Nominations

Won Best Director at the Tokyo International Film Festival (Guy Ritchie)
Nominated for several British Independent Film Awards
Over time, it has gained “cult classic” status, ranking highly on fan-voted film lists.

Behind the Scenes Insights

Brad Pitt loved Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels so much that he asked Ritchie for a role.
Pitt’s accent was intentionally made incomprehensible because he couldn’t master a convincing London accent.
The role of Brick Top was partly inspired by real-life East End gangsters.
Many of the boxing scenes were shot with handheld cameras to give them a gritty, chaotic feel.

Inspirations and References

The movie is heavily inspired by British gangster folklore, Ritchie’s own Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, and the structure of Tarantino films. The diamond plot was loosely inspired by real European jewel heists of the 1990s.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

While no drastically different ending exists, several deleted scenes were trimmed to improve pacing. One included more backstory on Mickey’s clan, but Ritchie chose to keep them mysterious.

Book Adaptations and Differences

Snatch is not based on a novel but was written directly for the screen by Guy Ritchie. However, it echoes pulp crime literature and noir traditions.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

The heist at the start with Franky Four Fingers.
Mickey knocking out Gorgeous George in one punch.
Brick Top’s monologue about disposing of bodies with pigs.
The chaotic final fight where Mickey double-crosses Brick Top.

Iconic Quotes

Brick Top: “Do you know what ‘nemesis’ means?”
Turkish: “In the quiet words of the Virgin Mary… come again?”
Mickey: “D’you like dags?”
Cousin Avi: “I hate f***in’ England.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

The dog that swallows the diamond is a symbolic nod to how chance and chaos control the story.
Several actors from Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels appear again, establishing Ritchie’s signature ensemble casting.
The name “Bullet-Tooth Tony” comes from a real British gangster nickname.

Trivia

The dog used in filming was notoriously difficult to train, causing multiple reshoots.
Vinnie Jones filmed most of his scenes in under a week.
Brad Pitt’s trailer at Pinewood Studios was larger than anyone else’s, a running joke on set.

Why Watch?

Watch Snatch if you love fast-talking characters, clever editing, and a crime story that juggles multiple plots with flair. It’s funny, violent, stylish, and endlessly rewatchable—a near-perfect example of early 2000s British cinema.

Snatch (2000)