Review of Brighton Rock (1948) by Jack L — 04 Jun 2010

Richard Attenborough stars in this 1947 film adapted from Graham Greene's novel Brighton Rock.

Pinkie(Attenborough) is a 17 year old gangster who finds himself in charge of his mob after his boss is killed by rivals trying to run him out of Brighton.

His mob is made up of three men: Spicer, Dallow and Cubitt.

All the others have either been killed by the rivals,bribed or driven out of town.

Pinkie decides to murder a man named Hale who he suspects had something to do with his bosses death.

Hale is killed but certain problems arise when a woman, named Ida Arnold, whom he was with before he died, starts investigating his death.

To stop the truth coming out he decides to start courting the waitress he used as an alibi so she doesn't betray him.

This waitress, whose name is Rose quickly falls in love with Pinkie but he only pretends to love her(and doesn't do a very good job) because in reality he despises all women, in fact he despises and mistrusts everyone.

Ida Arnold gets closer to the truth so Pinkie decides to kill Rose, he pretends to have a suicide pact with her but has no intention of killing himself after she is dead, but the police arrive in time to save her and Pinkie falls to his death off Brighton Pier.

The synopsis given above covers only the basic plot for in truth there is so many different aspects and layers to this film that it would take hours to outline them all.

The acting is brilliant but it's Richard Attenborough who steals the show as Pinkie the 17 year old boss, his performance is superbly chilling.

The plot is very much like the book except for the end but ,seeing as Graham Greene adapted the screenplay himself, it is still good.

The direction is great and the shots of Brighton in particular are interesting.

The soundtrack adds to the dark and hostile atmosphere already created by the directing style.

This is one of the best British Gangster films ever ,I particularly liked the fact that they all carried razor blades for weapons seeing as they could not be arrested for possessing them if searched by the police, but it is also so much more.

The language used is old fashioned but very authentic.

The characters are all very real, Rose is very touching as the timid ,but forceful when it comes to love, mousy and ignored waitress who comes to life as soon as a boy shows any interest in her. Pinkie is a very hard,cruel young man who obviously has never been loved by anyone and has led a very hard life. So he has put up a façade of contempt which very nearly breaks under Rose's admiration and love. He is also a young man among veterans and it is clear that he feels the need to assert his leadership at every opportunity.

Overall this makes a very bleak and sombre film filled with catholic problems and issues (Graham Greene was a strong Catholic) but is very entertaining and counts among my favourite British films or even maybe my favourite films of all time.

Highly recommended to anyone who wants to see an old British film or who is a fan of Graham Greene or Richard Attenborough.

Cinematography 9/10.

Soundtrack 8/10.

Acting 10/10.

Plot 10/10.

Screenplay 10/10.