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Snatch

Snatch is a 2000 British black comedy crime film written and directed by Guy Ritchie, centering on intersecting criminal schemes in London's underworld involving a stolen diamond, bare-knuckle boxing promoters, and gangsters.^[1] The ensemble cast features Jason Statham as Turkish, a boxing promoter entangled in fixed fights; Brad Pitt as Mickey O'Neil, an unpredictable Irish Traveller boxer; Benicio del Toro as Franky Four Fingers, a courier who steals an 86-carat diamond; and supporting roles by Vinnie Jones, Alan Ford, and Dennis Farina as various thugs and handlers.^[2] Known for its hyperkinetic editing, nonlinear structure, cockney slang-heavy dialogue, and exaggerated violence, the film exemplifies Ritchie's early style blending humor with brutality, following his debut Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.^[3] Produced on a £6 million budget, Snatch earned $30.1 million domestically and $53.5 million internationally, totaling over $83 million worldwide, marking a profitable hit that boosted Ritchie's profile in Hollywood.^[4] Critically, it holds an 8.2/10 rating from nearly one million IMDb users and 74% on Rotten Tomatoes from 141 reviews, praised for entertainment value and Pitt's transformative performance but critiqued by some for chaotic plotting and ethnic stereotypes in Traveller depictions.^[2] Over time, it has attained cult classic status for quotable lines, memorable sequences like the pig farm disposal, and influence on crime genre tropes, spawning a 2017 Crackle TV series adaptation that underperformed.^[3]

Linguistic usages

General definitions and etymology

The verb snatch denotes the act of grasping, seizing, or taking hold of something suddenly, abruptly, or hastily, often with eagerness or force, as in "to snatch a falling object" or "to snatch an opportunity."^[5]^[6] This usage extends figuratively to acquiring or appropriating something quickly, such as ideas or chances, without extended deliberation.^[7] As a transitive verb, it implies an attempt to capture or remove abruptly, sometimes rudely or without right, distinguishing it from more deliberate actions like "grasp" or "seize."^[8] In nominal form, snatch refers to the act or instance of such a sudden seizure, termed a "hasty catch" or "quick grab."^[9] It also signifies a brief, intermittent fragment or portion, as in a "snatch of sleep" or "snatch of song," emphasizing transience or incompleteness.^[10] These senses underscore a core connotation of rapidity and opportunism, rooted in physical or perceptual urgency rather than sustained possession. The term traces to Middle English snacchen or snecchen, first attested around 1230 in contexts of snapping or sudden seizure, as in the Ancrene Riwle.^[11] Its origins likely stem from Old English *snæċċan (unattested but reconstructed) or Middle Dutch snacken, both evoking abrupt motions akin to snapping at prey, possibly from Proto-West Germanic *snakkijan, with cognates implying biting or nipping actions.^[12] This etymon aligns with Indo-European roots for sudden, violent grasps, differentiating it from slower Germanic verbs for holding, and entered English amid Norman influences that favored concise verbs for dynamic events.^[5] By the 13th century, it had stabilized in literary and legal texts to denote theft or hasty appropriation, reflecting medieval emphases on property and vigilance.^[12]

Slang and vulgar meanings

In vulgar slang, "snatch" denotes the female external genitalia, specifically the vulva or vagina.^[6]^[10]^[13] This usage emerged by the 18th century, reflecting a coarse extension of the verb's sense of sudden seizure to anatomical reference.^[14] As non-vulgar slang, "snatch" can refer to an act of kidnapping, implying a swift and forcible abduction.^[6]^[10] This connotation parallels the word's core meaning of abrupt grasping but applies it to illicit seizure of persons, documented in English dictionaries since at least the mid-20th century.^[6] The term occasionally appears in compounds or phrases denoting promiscuity or predation, such as "snatch bandit" for a womanizer targeting sexual encounters.^[14] Such expressions underscore the slang's ties to opportunistic or aggressive acquisition, though they remain informal and context-dependent.^[14]

Sports and physical training

Snatch in weightlifting

The snatch is one of two competition lifts in Olympic weightlifting, alongside the clean and jerk, requiring the athlete to raise a loaded barbell from the platform to a fully extended overhead position in a single continuous motion without interruption.^[15] This lift demands explosive power, precise technique, and mobility, as the bar travels a longer distance compared to the clean and jerk, typically resulting in lighter loads lifted despite the overhead finish.^[16] In official competitions governed by the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF), athletes receive three attempts at the snatch per weight class, with the highest successful lift counting toward the total score combined with the clean and jerk.^[17] The technique begins with the barbell resting horizontally on the platform, gripped with a wide hook grip—thumbs wrapped around the bar and fingers under it—for stability during the pull. The lifter pulls the bar from the floor by extending the knees and hips while maintaining a flat back, accelerating it upward past the knees in a "first pull" phase, then explosively shrugging the traps and triple-extending the ankles, knees, and hips in the "second pull" to impart maximum velocity.^[15] As the bar reaches peak height, the athlete drops under it into a squat or split position (though squat snatch predominates in modern elite competition for deeper reception and heavier loads), catching it overhead with arms locked and feet positioned for balance—typically one forward and one backward in split style or both under in squat style.^[18] The lift is complete only upon referee approval via a "down" signal, requiring static control with elbows locked, bar aligned over the body, and no excessive backward lean or foot movement.^[17] Violations such as pausing mid-lift, incomplete extension, or imbalance result in "no lift" rulings, emphasizing the need for fluidity to minimize failed attempts.^[16] Historically, the snatch traces to ancient lifting practices but formalized in modern weightlifting as the "one-motion" or "two-hand" lift by the early 20th century, appearing in Olympic programs from the 1896 Games onward, though early iterations included one-arm variants.^[18] By the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics, it standardized alongside the clean and press and clean and jerk as two-handed events, with the press eliminated after 1972 due to judging subjectivity, leaving snatch and clean and jerk as the sole Olympic lifts.^[15] This evolution prioritized dynamic, measurable power over static strength, aligning with the sport's emphasis on athleticism. World records, ratified by the IWF across 10 men's and 10 women's weight classes (as of 2023 reforms to reduce extreme categories), reflect ongoing advancements; for instance, in the men's 61 kg class, Li Fabin holds the snatch record at 146 kg set in 2023, while recent 2025 IWF World Championships saw new marks like Akbar Djuraev's 182 kg in the 102 kg class.^[19] Women's records, such as Song Kuk Hyang's lifts in the 69 kg class at the 2025 Worlds, demonstrate parity gains through technique refinements and training science.^[20] These benchmarks, verified via anti-doping protocols, underscore the snatch's role in testing full-body coordination under load.^[19]

Entertainment and media

Snatch (2000 film)

Snatch is a 2000 British crime comedy film written and directed by Guy Ritchie, marking his second feature after Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. The story intertwines plots centered on a stolen 86-carat diamond and underground boxing matches in London's criminal underworld, involving characters such as unlicensed promoter Turkish, his partner Tommy, gangster Brick Top, American jeweler Avi, thief Franky Four Fingers, and Irish Traveller boxer Mickey.^[2]^[3] The film premiered at the Edinburgh International Film Festival on August 23, 2000, with a UK theatrical release on September 1, 2000, and a wide US release on January 19, 2001.^[21]^[3] Produced on a budget of $10 million by SKA Films and distributed by Columbia Pictures, the film grossed $30.1 million in the US and $53.5 million internationally, for a worldwide total of $83.6 million.^[4] Principal cast includes Jason Statham as Turkish, Brad Pitt as Mickey O'Neil (employing a thick Irish Traveller accent), Benicio del Toro as Franky Four Fingers, Dennis Farina as Avi Denovitz, Vinnie Jones as Bullet Tooth Tony, Alan Ford as Brick Top Muldoon, Rade Šerbedžija as Boris the Blade, Robbie Gee and Lennie James as fence operators Vinny and Sol, and Stephen Graham as Tommy.^[22]^[23] Ritchie's nonlinear narrative style, rapid editing, freeze-frames, and voiceover narration emphasize chaotic ensemble dynamics and stylized violence.^[2] Critical reception was generally positive, with praise for its energetic pacing, humor, and performances, particularly Pitt's and Statham's; it holds an 8.2/10 rating on IMDb from over 960,000 users and 74% on Rotten Tomatoes from 141 reviews.^[2]^[3] The film earned cult status for its quotable dialogue and soundtrack featuring artists like The Prodigy and Kasabian. Awards include Empire Magazine's Best British Director for Ritchie, Best British Actor for Statham, and Best British Actress for Vinnie Jones (satirical category), alongside a Motion Picture Sound Editors Golden Reel for sound editing.^[24]

Snatch (2017 TV series)

Snatch is a British-American crime comedy-drama television series that premiered on March 16, 2017, on the streaming service Crackle, developed by Sony Pictures Television.^[25] Created by Alex De Rakoff, the show draws inspiration from Guy Ritchie's 2000 film of the same name but features an original storyline and cast, with Ritchie serving in a limited executive capacity rather than direct creative involvement.^[26] The series ran for two seasons totaling 20 episodes before concluding, as Crackle opted not to renew it after the second season aired from September 13 to October 18, 2018.^[27] The plot centers on a group of young hustlers in London who, after being double-crossed in a nightclub scheme, discover a truckload of stolen gold bullion, propelling them into conflicts with organized crime figures, including boxing promoters and gangsters.^[25] Season 1 follows protagonists Albert "Albie" Hill and Charlie Cavendish-Scott as they navigate heists, betrayals, and rivalries amid the criminal underworld, while Season 2 escalates with international elements and family secrets.^[28] Each season consists of 10 episodes, typically 40-50 minutes in length, blending fast-paced action, humor, and ensemble dynamics reminiscent of Ritchie's stylistic flourishes like quick cuts and voiceover narration, though critics noted it as a derivative riff rather than a faithful adaptation.^[29] The main cast includes Rupert Grint as the street-smart but hapless Charlie Cavendish-Scott, Luke Pasqualino as the ambitious Albert "Albie" Hill, Lucien Laviscount as the tech-savvy Billy Ayres, and Phoebe Dynevor as the resourceful Lotti Mott.^[30] Supporting roles feature Dougray Scott as crime boss Vic Hill, Marc Warren as boxing promoter Fontaine, and Juliet Aubrey as Lily Hill.^[31] Grint, known from the Harry Potter films, received particular praise for his comedic timing in channeling a Cockney hustler archetype.^[25] Reception was mixed, with critics appreciating the young cast's energy and occasional witty dialogue but faulting the series for formulaic plotting and failing to capture the original film's chaotic ingenuity.^[29] On Rotten Tomatoes, Season 1 holds a 39% approval rating from 18 reviews, citing overreliance on tropes without fresh insight.^[28] Audience scores were higher, averaging around 70% on the platform, and IMDb users rated it 6.9/10 from over 6,000 votes, often highlighting its entertainment value as light crime fare.^[32] The Guardian described it as "oddly fascinating" despite desperation to impress, while Variety noted its caper comedy elements but uneven execution.^[33]^[25] No Emmy nominations followed, and viewership data remained modest on Crackle, contributing to its non-renewal amid the platform's shift toward original content.^[27]

Military and vehicles

Snatch Land Rover

The Snatch Land Rover is a lightly armoured patrol vehicle derived from the Land Rover Defender 110 chassis, designed by the British Ministry of Defence (MoD) for operations in relatively low-threat environments such as Northern Ireland. Developed in 1992 by fitting composite armour plating to provide protection against small-arms fire up to 7.62mm rounds, it retained the Defender's off-road mobility, speed over rough terrain, and capacity for 4-6 personnel plus cargo.^[34] The vehicle's modular design allowed rapid production using existing Land Rover stocks, with initial variants equipped with bullet-resistant glass and underbody protection limited to blast deflection rather than absorption.^[35] Deployed initially for counter-terrorism and policing duties, the Snatch saw expanded use in higher-threat zones during the Iraq War (Operation TELIC, starting 2003) and the War in Afghanistan (Operation HERRICK, from 2001 but intensified post-2006), where insurgents increasingly employed roadside improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Its lightweight armour, optimized for ballistic threats rather than mines or IEDs, proved inadequate against under-vehicle blasts, leading to at least 37 British service personnel fatalities in Snatch vehicles between 2003 and 2014.^[36] ^[35] Troops and families nicknamed it a "mobile coffin" due to its vulnerability, with post-incident analyses revealing that the V-shaped hull was absent and floor plating offered minimal fragmentation resistance. Criticism intensified from 2006 onward, as coroners' inquests and parliamentary inquiries highlighted MoD awareness of these deficiencies as early as 2003, yet procurement of heavier protected mobility vehicles like the Mastiff or Ridgeback was delayed until 2006-2007, and lighter replacements like the Foxhound until 2010. ^[37] The MoD defended its retention for urban patrolling and quick reaction forces, citing over 1,000 units in service for their logistical familiarity and exportability, but acknowledged in 2011 that Snatch use contributed to disproportionate casualties compared to more armoured peers.^[38] Upgraded Snatch 2 models, introduced around 2007, added enhanced glazing and run-flat tyres but did not substantially mitigate IED risks.^[39] Phased replacement began with the Foxhound's delivery in 2012, designed with a V-hull for better blast protection, though budgetary constraints led to service life extensions for remaining Snatch units into the 2020s, including approvals in 2023 to retain them past March 2024 for training and low-intensity roles.^[40] ^[41] By 2024, the fleet had dwindled, but extensions drew renewed scrutiny over cost-saving measures amid broader Army vehicle modernization delays.^[42]

References

[1]
SNATCH - Sony Pictures Entertainment
An edgy and hilarious film about a diamond heist gone wrong, a colorful Irish gypsy-turned-prize fighter and a very temperamental dog.
[2]
Snatch (2000) - IMDb
Rating 8.2/10 (960,034) Unscrupulous boxing promoters, violent bookmakers, a Russian gangster, incompetent amateur robbers and supposedly Jewish jewelers fight to track down a ...Full cast & crew · Parents guide · User reviews · Snatch
[3]
Snatch | Rotten Tomatoes
Rating 74% (141) Illegal boxing promoter Turkish (Jason Statham) convinces gangster Brick Top (Alan Ford) to offer bets on bare-knuckle boxer Mickey (Brad Pitt) at his bookie ...141 Reviews · Cast and Crew · Trailers & Videos
[4]
Snatch (2000) - Box Office and Financial Information - The Numbers
Snatch (2000). Snatch. Theatrical Performance. Domestic Box Office, $30,093,107 ... Top 2000 Movies at the International Box Office, 32, $53,500,000. All Time ...
[5]
SNATCH Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster
The meaning of SNATCH is to attempt to seize something suddenly. How to use snatch in a sentence. Synonym Discussion of Snatch.
[6]
SNATCH Definition & Meaning - Dictionary.com
a sudden motion to seize something; grab. He made a snatch as if to stop her. a bit, scrap, or fragment of something.
[7]
Snatch - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms - Vocabulary.com
either literally or figuratively. You might eagerly snatch the TV remote or your best friend's idea.
[8]
snatch verb - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage notes
to take something quickly and often rudely or roughly. synonym grab. Extra Examples She almost snatched the letter from my hand.<|control11|><|separator|>
[9]
Snatch - Webster's 1828 Dictionary
1. A hasty catch or seizing. 2. A catching at or attempt to seize suddenly. 3. A short fit of vigorous action; as a snatch as weeding after a shower.
[10]
SNATCH definition in American English - Collins Dictionary
snatch in American English · 1. to grasp or seize suddenly, eagerly, or without right, warning, etc.; grab · 2. to remove abruptly or hastily · 3. to take, get, or ...
[11]
snatch, v. meanings, etymology and more - Oxford English Dictionary
There are 23 meanings listed in OED's entry for the verb snatch, two of which are labelled obsolete. See 'Meaning & use' for definitions, usage, and quotation ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[12]
Snatch - Etymology, Origin & Meaning
Originating in early 13th-century English, "snatch" means to seize suddenly; possibly from Old English *snæccan or Middle Dutch snacken, also linked to ...
[13]
snatch - American Heritage Dictionary Entry
Vulgar Slang The vulva. [Middle English snacchen.] snatch er n. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by ...
[14]
snatch, n. - Green's Dictionary of Slang
Pertaining to the vagina. In compounds. snatch bandit (n.) a womanizer.
[15]
Weightlifting: From rules to records, all you need to know
Oct 28, 2024 · The snatch is where the weightlifter picks up the barbell and lifts it above his head in one singular motion. In the clean and jerk, the ...
[16]
The Lifts - USA Weightlifting
Weightlifting consists of two events – the Snatch, and the Clean and Jerk (C&J). In competition, each athlete is permitted three attempts in each lift. The ...
[17]
[PDF] Technical and Competition Rules and Regulations
Jan 1, 2020 · 2 THE TWO LIFTS. 2.1. GENERAL. In the sport of weightlifting the IWF recognises two (2) lifts which must be executed in the following sequence ...
[18]
IWF120y/47 – 2025: Knowing one of the basic lifts – Snatch
Mar 29, 2025 · The Snatch movement has been always linked with weightlifting, being historically known as the “two-hand lift”, or also the “one-motion lift”.
[19]
World records - International Weightlifting Federation |
Senior Men's World Records, 60 kg Snatch Record: 141 kg, World Standard Born: Jun 01, 2025 --- Event Place & Date: Jun 01, 2025 - World Standard.
[20]
2025 IWF World Weightlifting Championships: Song Kuk Hyang sets ...
Oct 7, 2025 · 2025 IWF World Weightlifting Championships: Song Kuk Hyang sets three world records en route to 69kg gold ... The 24-year-old delivered a ...Missing: current | Show results with:current
[21]
Snatch (2000) - Release info - IMDb
Snatch premiered in the UK on August 23, 2000, and was released in the UK and Ireland on September 1, 2000. It was also released in Finland on September 25, ...
[22]
Full cast & crew - Snatch (2000) - IMDb
Cast · Ade · Ade · Tyrone · William Beck · William Beck · Neil · Andy Beckwith · Andy Beckwith · Errol · Ewen Bremner · Ewen Bremner · Mullet · Jason Buckham · Jason ...Alan Ford · Nicola Collins · Ade · Robbie Gee
[23]
Snatch | Cast and Crew - Rotten Tomatoes
Guy Ritchie · Benicio del Toro · Dennis Farina · Brad Pitt · Vinnie Jones · Rade Serbedzija · Jason Statham · Alan Ford.
[24]
Awards - Snatch (2000) - IMDb
Snatch won 4 awards and received 7 nominations, including a Golden Reel Award, a National Board of Review Special Recognition, and Empire Awards for Best ...Missing: production budget reception
[25]
TV Review: 'Snatch' on Crackle, Starring Rupert Grint - Variety
Mar 16, 2017 · The film is a comedy of capers, where crooked hustlers from every walk of life descend on London to pursue their own selfish ends.Missing: cancellation | Show results with:cancellation
[26]
'Snatch' Crime Comedy Gives Nod To Guy Ritchie Movie – TCA
Jan 13, 2017 · Harry Potter alum Rupert Grint stars in and executive produces Snatch, the series for Sony's streaming network Crackle based on the Guy Ritche- ...
[27]
Shows A-Z - snatch on sony crackle | TheFutonCritic.com
SNATCH (SONY CRACKLE). BROADCAST HISTORY: 3/16/17 - 9/13/18. STATUS: canceled/ended (2017-2018 season). TIME SLOT: completed airing its current season.
[28]
Season 1 – Snatch - Rotten Tomatoes
Rating 39% (18) This drama, starring Rupert Grint, is loosely based on the popular movie of the same name -- and is inspired by a real-life heist in London.Cast and Crew · Episode 1 Aired Mar 16, 2017... · Episode 2 · ReviewsMissing: reception | Show results with:reception<|separator|>
[29]
Snatch (2017) Reviews - Metacritic
Rating 55% (10) To its credit, Snatch the show is one of the better riffs on an original idea you'll see on television, owing partly to its young and talented cast and partly ...Missing: cancellation | Show results with:cancellation
[30]
Snatch TV series cast as it arrives on Netflix - Radio Times
Mar 10, 2025 · A cast made up of Rupert Grint, Luke Pasqualino, Lucien Laviscount, Phoebe Dynevor, Dougray Scott and more. The series has now arrived on Netflix in the UK.
[31]
Snatch - Full Cast & Crew - TV Guide
Actor ; Rupert Grint as Charlie, Charlie Cavendish. Rupert Grint. Charlie, Charlie Cavendish ; Luca Pasqualino as Albert, Albert Hill. Luca Pasqualino. Albert, ...
[32]
Snatch | Rotten Tomatoes
Rating 39% (18) This drama, starring Rupert Grint, is loosely based on the popular movie of the same name -- and is inspired by a real-life heist in London.Missing: reception | Show results with:reception
[33]
Snatch review – Rupert Grint gives Guy Ritchie's comedy an ...
Mar 16, 2017 · The overpacked crime film heads to the small screen in a desperate-to-impress new series that proves oddly fascinating.Missing: reception cancellation
[34]
Old SchoolWarrior - Key Military
Aug 15, 2019 · Developed for use in Northern Ireland in 1992, the lightly armoured Snatch Land Rover is a protected vehicle based on the Defender 110 chassis.
[35]
Military Land Rovers Pt. 8 ~ CAV 100 - Snatch | Joint Forces News
Sep 10, 2018 · Much maligned in the press after nearly forty troops travelling in this vehicle type lost their lives on Operations TELIC and HERRICK in Iraq ...
[36]
Snatch Land Rovers: the 'mobile coffins' of the British army
Nov 1, 2008 · Snatch Land Rovers were originally deployed due to their speed over rough ground and manoeuvrability. The British also had lots of them left ...
[37]
Snatch Land Rover's replacement is revealed by MoD - BBC News
Sep 22, 2010 · The Land Rover had been criticised for not offering troops in Afghanistan and Iraq enough protection from roadside bombs. The first Ocelots ...
[38]
Snatch Landrover to remain in service longer - UK Defence Journal
Nov 21, 2023 · Despite its controversial history, the Snatch Land Rover has been a significant part of the British Army's fleet. With nearly a thousand ...
[39]
https://www.armyrecognition.com/archives/archives-land-defense/land-defense-2023/british-army-s-controversial-land-rover-snatch-faces-potential-service-life-extension
[40]
'Mobile Coffins': How Motorsport Helped Engineers Save Lives
Apr 4, 2019 · In 2010 the MoD announced that the Foxhound would replace the Snatch Land Rover. It was delivered to Afghanistan in 2012, where it is still ...
[41]
Government criticised for extending use of 'mobile coffin' Army Land ...
Sep 21, 2024 · Snatch Land Rovers were originally deployed because of their speed over rough ground but there have long been concerns over their lack of armour ...
[42]
Ministers seek to keep British Army's 'mobile coffin' Snatch Land ...
Dec 27, 2023 · Ministers have been criticised for seeking to keep the last of the British Army's fleet of lightly armoured Land Rovers in service past their retirement date.