Skip over navigation

Help

Brighton Rock on DVD (1947)

Brighton Rock cover art
Average rating: 71%
1112410172046
3.5
from 1,245 members
 
Starring: Richard Attenborough, Carol Marsh, Hermione Baddeley, William Hartnell, Nigel Stock, Wylie Watson
Director: John Boulting
Studio: WARNER HOME VIDEO
Run time: 88 mins
Certificate: PG
User collections: Superb Films of the 1940's, Who said black and white was dated?, Great Films, In My Humble Opinion, Made in Britain, Films in my Collection, CRIME DOES PAY!
Genres: Drama
Languages: English
Released: 16/09/2002

Brief synopsis of 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.

Related

Critics Reviews

Rating of 4 stars out of 5 Radio Times

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.

Rating of 4 stars out of 4 Halliwell's Film Guide

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.

Time Out

Thanks to a marvellous source in Graham Greene's novel, one of the finest British thrillers ever. Attenborough puts... Read more on www.timeout.com

See all 3 Critics Reviews »

Members Reviews

Reviews Voted Most Helpful

Rated - 4 starsYoung scarface

Maryco from UK , 28/07/2004

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...

  9 out of 9 people found this review helpful
Report offending content.

Read all reviews

Rated - 4 starsthe darkest of dark films

wuthering , 19/11/2003

Using the term Film Noir is an understatement for this film. It is the darkest of dark films. That's not to say I didn't like it--I did. But it took some counseling and prozac to be able to say that. Attenborough is fantastic as Pinky. He's worth the price of admission right there.

  6 out of 6 people found this review helpful
Report offending content.

Read all reviews

Rated - 3 starspieriod drama

A customer from midlands , 19/08/2004

given its age this movie works well. attenborough is fairly haunting as pinkie, though overall i do not think it does graham greene's book justice. still a necessary watch for lovers of british cinema.

  2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Report offending content.

Read all reviews

Rated - 2 starsOld and Slow

A customer from Aldershot , 17/12/2004

Despite its reputation - we found this very slow. Good cast though.

  2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Report offending content.

Read all reviews

Most Recent Reviews

Rated - 4 starsthe darkest of dark films

wuthering , 19/11/2003

Using the term Film Noir is an understatement for this film. It is the darkest of dark films. That's not to say I didn't like it--I did. But it took some counseling and prozac to be able to say that. Attenborough is fantastic as Pinky. He's worth the price of admission right there.

  6 out of 6 people found this review helpful
Report offending content.

Read all highest rated reviews

Rated - 4 starsBrighton Rock

A customer from Harrogate , 10/01/2008

I really enjoyed this film and the characters are great, Richard Attenborough looks impossibly young but is very effective at portraying the menace of a very disturbed youth.

  1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
Report offending content.

Read all highest rated reviews