Brighton Rock

John Boulting, UK, 1947, 92 minutes

Graham Greene's Catholic morality tale loses most of its religious significance in its transference to celluloid, but thankfully it retains its impeccable gangster credentials. Brighton Rock was the first of the accomplished Greene adaptations, all previous attempts had been disastrous.

The film is so densely plotted (unsurprising given its source material) that it is difficult to describe. It concems a 17-year-old gang leader, Pinkie (Richard Attenborough - a much better actor than he is a director) who seeks revenge for the murder of a gang member, once the retaliation is complete he spends the rest of the film making threats, double crossing and being double crossed, in the course of which he marries a waitress (Carol Marsh) who saw things she shouldn't have, since a wife is unable to give evidence against her husband.

Part of Brighton Rock's success must lie in its Englishness: its domain is that which consists of bank holidays and pubs, racecourses and second-rate B&Bs. Another reason must be Attenborough's performance which despite his character's inherent demonry still manages to enlist our sympathy.

Greene and co-script-writer Terence Rattigan supply wonderful dialogue and some eccentric character parts, and the Boulting Bros. produce a few exceptional set-pieces to create a thriller which is certainly hard-boiled, but never sleazy.

Review by Stephen Cox
Taken from EUFS Programme 1995-96