Brighton Rock (1947)

User Rating:

7.6/10   

Director:

John Boulting

Writers:

Graham Greene (novel)
Graham Greene (screenplay)

Release Date:

December 1947 (UK)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Film-Noir | Thriller

Plot:

Pinkie Brown (Richard Attenborough) is a small town hoodlum who's gang run a protection racket based at Brighton race course...

Plot Keywords:

Gang | Murder | Teenage Boy | Psychopath | British Noir

Cast

Richard Attenborough	...	Pinkie Brown
Carol Marsh	...	Rose Brown
Hermione Baddeley	...	Ida Arnold
William Hartnell	...	Dallow, henchman
Harcourt Williams	...	Prewitt - Pinkie's lawyer
Wylie Watson	...	Spicer, henchman
Nigel Stock	...	Cubitt - henchman
Victoria Winter	...	Judy, gang moll
Reginald Purdell	...	Frank, blind gang member
George Carney	...	Phil Corkery
Charles Goldner	...	Colleoni
Alan Wheatley	...	Fred Hale, alias Kolly Kibber
Lina Barrie	...	Molly, giggly girl in beach chair
Joan Sterndale-Bennett	...	Delia
Harry Ross	...	Bill Brewer

Also Known As:

Young Scarface (USA)

Runtime:

92 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Norway:16 (1948) | Sweden:(Banned) (1947-1957) | Sweden:15 | UK:A (original rating) | UK:PG (video rating) (1991) | UK:PG (re-rating) (1994) | Australia:PG

Filming Locations:

Brighton Pavilion, Brighton, East Sussex, England, UK

Company:

Charter Film Productions

Trivia:

"You are Colly Kibber and I claim the Daily Messenger prize" this was actually paraphrasing The News Chronicle who had a promotional character called Lobby Ludd who toured seaside towns giving away £5 notes when being successfully challenged.

Goofs:

Audio/visual unsynchronized: When Ida and her friend observe Pinkie and Rose from the hotel lobby balcony, their voices are heard speaking to one another while their mouths are closed.

Quotes:

Mother Superior: [while comforting Rose after Pinkie's death] You or I cannot fathom the appalling strangeness of the mercy of God.

Movie Connections:

Remade as Brighton Rock (2010)

Soundtrack:

Overture from 'The Hebrides' (Fingal's Cave)

Top notch gangster film British style

I hope this film is remembered for all time as it is an incredible piece of film-making. Excellent script, suspense and a wonderful performance by Richard Attenborough as the ruthless and emotionless gang leader Pinky.

Despite Brighton being known for its family orientated beaches, entertainment and pier, we see a very dark and disturbing side to this relaxed holiday town. There is a sinister feel throughout and is shot and edited very well. It was a bit hard to understand some of the dialogue at times but this did not matter as it captivates and draws you in for the duration.

I recommend it highly.