BRIGHTON ROCK

UK, 1947, 92 minutes, Black and white.
Richard Attenborough, Hermione Baddeley, Harcourt Williams, William Hartnell, Alan Wheatley, Carol Marsh.
Directed by John Boulting.

Brighton Rock was adapted for the screen by its author, Graham Greene. It was written in collaboration with playwright Terence Rattigan. The film was directed by John Boulting, one of the Boulting Brothers. In its time it was not so well received, but has become something of a post-World War II British classic. (The American title of the film was Young Scarface - relying on the reference to American gangster films!)

The film is a day at Brighton Pier, a presentation of British gangsters in the pre-war period. Richard Attenborough gives a strong performance as the young Pinky (he was almost 25 at the time of making the film). The film has a strong supporting cast of British character actors, a good performance by a brassy Hermione Baddeley. Harcourt Williams and William Hartnell are the criminals. Carol Marsh is the young innocent girl, the victim of Pinky's love and evil. As with Graham Greene, there are religious themes interwoven, especially themes of sin and people making choices against their conscience for love.

1.The impact of this British thriller? Its style? The '30s, tough picture of gangsters in Brighton?

2.The black and white photography, the atmosphere of Brighton, the resort, the crowds, the pier, the entertainment? The musical score?

3.The world of Graham Greene's novels? His perceptions of England in the '30s? Critical, bleak and black perspective on characters and interactions? Ordinary characters and good and evil characters? Types? The Catholic themes of personal choice, sin, hell and damnation? The ending - sin yet hope and the crucifix? Greene and his skill in transforming the novel into a screenplay?

4.The strength of the cast and their characters? The authentic production and moods, Brighton weather? The sets? The set pieces, for example the ghost train?

5.The prologue and the focus on values and morals?

6.Brighton as the setting, the title and the sweet - its taste, appearance, the centre? The Brighton Pier? The crowds, the pubs, the entertainment? The gangs in the background, the seedy atmosphere of the petty criminals, the houses? The police and the station? The setting?

7.The small-time gangsters, their way of life, moral code, violence, crooked - spivs yet with their own loyalties? The clashes, money and power? Standover tactics and fights? The police knowing about the criminals and their activities?

8.Richard Attenborough as Pinky: 17, a young man emerging from this culture, serious, his puritanical background, yet his violence, relationships, love and security? His situation within the gangster world? His own loyalties? His violence - following Fred, frightening him, his ability to kill and remain cool? Spicer and the card? The encounter with Rose, leading her on? Ida and her brassy style, the clash? Leading Rose on, the promise of the wedding? Dallow and the protection of Rose? The rivalries? Spicer and the fight? Slashing and being slashed, killing Spicer? The hold over Pruitt? The dramatic impact of the pact with Rose, the moral impact? His hold over her, fear and death? His character, values and lack of values, his age, the meaning of his life? The Catholic background, hell and belief, sin? His lies? Self-destructive?

9.The gang and the types, smalltime hoodlums, murder, the discussion, the fear? Dallow and Judy? Cubitt? Spicer and his fear? The spivs and the pressure? Following people, frightening them? The higher-ups and their henchmen? The race fight? The use of weapons, cutting people, slashing?

10.Pruitt and his crooked background, Shakespeare, money and drink, his advice about the law?

11.Ida and her loud style, friendly, her relationship with Fred, her puzzle about him, audience sympathy with her? Life, show biz? Her curiosity? The letters and the psychic? Going to the police? Pursuing the case, her demanding style, questions, Rose and her fear? The police, her confronting Rose at home, the final confrontation? A vivid portrait?

12.The contrast with Rose, the quiet English rose? The focus on her face, her Catholic background, her meeting with Pinky, her attention to him, his attention to her and her becoming dependent on him? Ringing up? Believing him? The confrontation with Ida? Marriage, confession? The importance of the record - and her simplicity? Ida's visit? The pact, the gun and the fear of hell? The nun offering her final hope? The crucifix?

13.The recording - and its being the symbol of Pinky's malevolence?

14.How effective the film as a British thriller? Suspense and action? The thriller techniques combined with the human and psychological drama? The religious issues of good and evil?