Brighton Rock
1947
In this vivid adaptation of Graham Greene's novel about the seedy British underworld, Richard Attenborough appears in top form as petty gangster Pinkie Brown. The manipulative thug rashly commits a murder and uses a waitress (Carol Marsh) to provide his alibi with unexpected consequences. Read more
| Starring | Richard Attenborough, Carol Marsh, Hermione Baddeley, William Hartnell |
|---|---|
| Director | John Boulting |
| Genres | Drama |
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Brighton Rock
In this vivid adaptation of Graham Greene's novel about the seedy British underworld, Richard Attenborough appears in top form as petty gangster Pinkie Brown. The manipulative thug rashly commits a murder and uses a waitress (Carol Marsh) to provide his alibi with unexpected consequences.
| Starring | Richard Attenborough, Carol Marsh, Hermione Baddeley, William Hartnell, Nigel Stock, Wylie Watson |
|---|---|
| Director | John Boulting |
| Studio | Optimum |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 28 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Drama |
| Language | English |
| Released | DVD: 16 Sep 2002 Production year: 1947 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (3)
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Released in America as Young Scarface, this is one of the most sinister crime films ever made in Britain and, but for several cuts by the censor, it would also have been one of the most shocking. However, Graham Greene, scripting from his own novel (not in collaboration with Terence Rattigan as many sources state), also drew some of the film's teeth by allowing gullible waitress Rose the faint hope that her malicious husband might love her after all — a contrivance that was given a glutinously spiritual slant by director John Boulting. Richard Attenborough (as Pinkie the teenage gangster) turns in the best performance of his career, and he is magnificently supported by William Hartnell and the under-rated Carol Marsh as Rose.
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A properly 'seedy' version of Graham Greene's 'entertainment', very flashily done for the most part but with a trick ending which allows the heroine to keep her illusions.
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Most helpful member's review
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15 out of 15 people found this review helpful
Young scarface
Brighton Rock is a fine examples of British 'noir.' 'Young scarface' (USA title) Pinkie Brown, devoid of redeeming features, is convincingly played by Richard Attenborough.
Opening scenes generate Hitchcockian suspense as Pinkies' gang pursue former member Fred who tries everything to 'protect' himself, including hastily befriending blowsy tart with heart, Ida Arnold aka Badderley. But in true psychopathic fashion, Pinkie casually murders his old mate, then suspects everyone of plotting to turn him in.
Doe-eyed waitress Rose, (Carol Marsh) finds Pinkie dreamy...despite overtly feeble attempts to disguise his true nature. But a wife's testimony is invalid and circumstances make marriage Pinkie's best option. A chilling moment comes after the seventeen year olds wed, when Pinkie condescends to make a phonograph record telling his new bride what she really means to him...
Meanwhile, Ida won't let sleeping dogs lie. She'd developed a soft spot for Pinkie's late pal Fred and is determined to find out what really became of him.
Excellent cinematography and camerawork create Brighton's shadowy side and tattered interiors of 'seen better days' boarding houses and pubs add to the 'dead end,' oppressive atmosphere. Rosary beads tumbling out of Rose's purse on her first date with Pinkie announce the underlying theme of sin and redemption that also underscores the surprise ending.
Despite a few time worn creaks in the plot, Brighton Rock is a compelling, highly stylisied and watchable thriller... -
Most recent members' review
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2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Only my opinion - not deep!
Of its time, unusual film. We did struggle to understand what the actors were saying, but after a while got into it! Great plot.
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News and features
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Attenborough in mourning
- 29 Dec 2004
Lord Richard Attenborough is today mourning the loss of three family members in the tsunami disaster in south-east Asia. The film director's 14-year-old granddaughter is confirmed as one of a number of British tourists to have died following the Boxing Day earthquake, while his daughter and her mother-in-law are also missing. Lord Attenborough's family members were staying in the holiday resort of Phuket in Thailand, which was badly affected by the disaster. His son-in-law and eldest grandson... Read more
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In this vivid adaptation of Graham Greene's novel about the seedy British underworld, Richard Attenborough appears in top form as petty gangster Pinkie Brown. The manipulative thug rashly commits a ... -