Pour son premier film en tant que réalisateur, le rappeur Plan B, frappe plutôt fort. Avec Ill Manors il nous entraîne dans les bas-fonds de Londres, se frotter à la violence des quartiers Est, là où il a grandi, la rage au cœur et la peur au ventre. Le film navigue avec panache dans les eaux marâtres des « films de banlieues », à l'instar de La Haine, Boyz N the hood ou, plus récemment du viscéral Harry Brown dans lequel Plan B incarnait une racaille frappadingue. Le réalisme saisissant de ces films scotche généralement la rétine comme les papier gras collent aux barres d'immeubles. Ill Manors ne fait pas exception à la règle.

I used to rule the world
Seas would rise when I gave the word
Now in the morning I sleep alone
Sweep the streets I used to own

I used to roll the dice
Feel the fear in my enemy's eyes
Listen as the crowd would sing:
Now the old king is dead! Long live the king!

One minute I held the key
Next the walls were closed on me
And I discovered that my castles stand
Upon pillars of salt and pillars of sand

I hear Jerusalem bells a ringing
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can't explain
Once you go there was never, never an honest word
That was when I ruled the world
(Ohhh)

It was the wicked and wild wind
Blew down the doors to let me in.
Shattered windows and the sound of drums
People couldn't believe what I'd become

Revolutionaries wait
For my head on a silver plate
Just a puppet on a lonely string
oh who could ever want to be king

I hear Jerusalem bells a ringing
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can't explain
I know Saint Peter will call my name
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world
(Ohhhhh Ohhh Ohhh)

I hear Jerusalem bells a ringing
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can't explain
I know Saint Peter will call my name
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world
Oooooh Oooooh Oooooh