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The Brylcreem Boys Details

1997 Certificate 15
  • Rated:
  • 60
  • from 296 members

When an Allied pilot and his German counterpart shoot each other down in Ireland, the Irish government, in accordance with their pledge of neutrality, places both in a P.O.W. camp. Enemies in the sky, the two soon become enemies on the ground as well, as both fall in love with the same girl. Read more

Starring Gabriel Byrne, Jean Butler, Bill Campbell, William McNamara
Director Terence Ryan
Genres Action/Adventure, Thriller

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The Brylcreem Boys

When an Allied pilot and his German counterpart shoot each other down in Ireland, the Irish government, in accordance with their pledge of neutrality, places both in a P.O.W. camp. Enemies in the sky, the two soon become enemies on the ground as well, as both fall in love with the same girl.

Starring Gabriel Byrne, Jean Butler, Bill Campbell, William McNamara, Angus Macfadyen, Oliver Tobias, John Gordon Sinclair, Joe McGann
Director Terence Ryan
Studio GUERILLA FILMS
Run time DVD: 1 hr 46 mins
Certificate Certificate 15
Genres Action/Adventure, Thriller
Language DVD: English
Released DVD: 01 Dec 2003
Production year: 1997
Format DVD

  • Critics' reviews (3) of The Brylcreem Boys

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  • 3 stars out of 5

    The Great Escape meets Riverdance? Not quite, but this is certainly one of the odder entries in that venerable old genre, the Second World War PoW saga. Loosely based on actual events, the film is set in the Republic of Ireland which, as a neutral country, was committed to interning both German and Allied personnel — in the same camp. Canadian flier Bill Campbell and German air ace Angus MacFadyen are the two newest internees who come to blows over both the conflict and a local farm girl, played by Riverdance's Jean Butler. There are pleasing supporting turns from John Gordon-Sinclair, William McNamara and in particular Gabriel Byrne, while director/co-writer Terence Ryan affably melds together the comic, romantic and dramatic elements of the tale.

    • Radio Times
    • Posted 29 Jan 2006

  • Apparently based on a real-life situation, this stumbles from romantic comedy to drama with no sense of direction or style.

    • Halliwell's Film Guide
    • Posted 02 Mar 2006

  • Most helpful member's review of The Brylcreem Boys

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  • 1 out of 2 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars

    It could only happen in Ireland

    Ireland, during WWII setup an Interment Camp for combatants found within it's borders at the infamous 'Curragh' prison near Dublin and detained both German and Allied combatants found within it's borders AT THE SAME CAMP. Ireland was very sensitive about it's neutrality and any escaping detainees were immediately returned by their respective countries.

    The Internees were allowed parole from the camp and allowed to come and go to the surrounding towns and countryside as they pleased as long as they returned each day.

    This the poignant and sometimes hilarious story of how the Allied and Germans reacted to each other in the camp and the local town and how they both interacted with the local people and guards at the camp. WELL WORTH WATCHING.

      • Peter Brown from Bristol, England
      • Posted 07 Jul 2004 07:50

  • Most recent members' review of The Brylcreem Boys

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  • Rated - 3 stars

    A bit too much Hollywooditis

    I rented this on the basis of my interest in the Irish government's line of neutrality during WW2 and some of the stories I'd heard about internees being allowed day-trips out from the prison camp. Being originally from Dublin it caught my eye.

    Watching this, it was immediately obvious that some of the actors were not from Ireland, given the appalling accents! Granted, there are some that are genuine, but why do movie houses insist on hiring actors for roles they obviously aren't suited to?! If you don't mind the 'begorrah' approach, then you probably won't be put off, but I was.

    That said, it is an interesting, if superficial, war yarn, and drew me in as a tale of human endurance. Gabriel Byrne is very good as the camp commandant. The humour is real and there's the romantic interest too for those who want that.

    But, overall, a fairly uninspiring attempt at a history lesson: I'm sure it could have been done with far more depth and committment. If that wasn't the point, why choose such a fringe element of the second world war?

    If you want a couple of hours of entertainment then it's a fine movie, but if you're looking for any real substance then it's not really the place to look.

      • Delsutton from Sutton
      • Posted 12 Mar 2009 16:21

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Rating breakdown

296 Member ratings
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28
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20
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45
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51
  • 50
35
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29
  • 30
21
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19
  • 10
9

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      • When an Allied pilot and his German counterpart shoot each other down in Ireland, the Irish government, in accordance with their pledge of neutrality, places both in a P.O.W. camp. Enemies in the sky,...