A different way of telling a story

I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

Simple and well acted, it has tension enough to knot the stomach.

There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.

Complex, disturbing noir character study/thriller about a 17 year old baby-faced gang leader named 'Pinky', played by the director-to-be Richard Attenborough in an astonishing performance. Based on a Graham Greene novel, and co-written by Green and Terrence Rattigan (The Browning Version, The Winslow Boy), Pinky is a tremendously complex character, a sociopath to be sure, but one with a heart still beating somewhere deep down inside. Tortured by his Catholic upbringing, and repressed sexually, he vents his teen angst in violence that becomes increasingly uncontrollable, while finding his heart touched in spite of himself by a girl he marries ostensibly just to keep her from giving evidence against him. This is a tough picture, no Hollywood softened edges here. And arguably one of the better gangster films ever made.

Brighton Rock is a psychological based drama set around the motives and actions of Pinkie (Richard Attenborough), whose gang is invested in the protection racket. Following the death of a journalist in which Pinkie is connected the narrative follows his attempt to isolate himself from any involvement of the crime whilst trying to prove himself as a leader.I have categorised Brighton Rock as a psychological based drama as the film focuses in depth on the emotions of the characters through various techniques which makes it stand out long in the memory. Most of this attention unsurprisingly goes to the protagonist Pinkie. Its established early on with his fascination with a piece of string, a recurring motif of the expression of his dangerous thoughts. Lingering in the forefront whilst playing with his string, he suddenly snaps and causes damage to some bar glasses. How fast Pinkie's mindset can turn indicates to the audience the dangerous personality he can be. I was particularly impressed by the cinematography in highlighting the emotions of the characters. A pivotal scene being as the camera zooms in close as Rose (Carol Marsh) looks on lovingly at Pinkie oblivious to the fact he is describing her in a derogatory manner which conveys the naivety of her character in terms of Pinkie's motive behind their relationship. These are only a few of many examples in which the micro techniques of Brighton Rock convey the depth of emotions.It was this impressionist style Brighton Rock sustained as a result of studying the character's emotions is what I found most intriguing about the film. It raises Brighton Rock to a higher status than just the usual crime drama. It not only shows us the dangers and consequences of the gangster lifestyle but in a way we are placed into their environment by being shown Pinkie's inner thoughts from murderous to cowardliness. Overall an interesting story with great character studies.

Pinkie (Richard Attenborough) heads a small gang in Brighton. I didn't understand the beginning and I was a bit annoyed that I had to try and figure things out. The beginning only made sense after I had read other reviews on the IMDb site. Obviously written by people who have read the book. Anyway, Pinkie ends up killing a couple of people and trying to cover his tracks until the final denouement at Brighton pier. Just go with it.There are several memorable scenes - the chase at the beginning through Brighton that ends with Pinkie taking a seat next to Fred (Alan Wheatley) on the Ghost Train as the ride starts; the scene at the pier with the suicide pact; the fight with other gang members where Pinkie gets unexpectedly attacked; the incident on the staircase - game over for Spicer (Wylie Watson); Pinkie recording what Rose (Carol Marsh) believes to be a message of love for her - he actually records a message saying how much he detests her; etc.There are a few points I feel I need to mention - the dialogue is sometimes difficult to understand; the title means absolutely nothing - "Brighton Pier" or "Kinky Pinkie" would have made a better title; I also found it unrealistic during the chase scene as Fred had got clear away on about 3 occasions. He even jumped on a couple of buses!; and the punches that are thrown are very fake.Set against this, the film portrays some violent scenes that are disturbing. Pinkie's a psychopath and is prepared to slash people in the face. Indeed, he becomes a victim of this type of attack and the story has an underlying menacing quality to it. The acting honours go to Richard Attenborough and William Hartnell, who plays "Dallow". Hartnell is a tough guy who behaves according to an honourable code, eg, he doesn't harm women. Attenborough crosses this line and this is his undoing.Hermione Baddeley, who plays "Ida", a 3rd-rate entertainer, starts the film as a figure of fun with her attempt to contact the dead and she has comedy music played whenever she appears. It was a poor decision to use this music as it takes the tension out of proceedings. However, the audience respects her by the end of the film as she sticks her neck out to help Rose, who is extremely annoying and stupid in her blind love for Pinkie. I was waiting for Rose to play the goddam record at the end to bring her down to reality and to laugh at her coz she was sooooooo annoying........I didn't get the chance. I felt cheated with the ending even though I appreciate that it is a good twist.A final mention must go to the main character. He's clearly a dangerous man but what is his name about? ....Pinkie...!!.... another British gangland poof....? Despite not being able to understand the story at the beginning, this is a good film that keeps you watching.

After the end of World War 2,and England was picking up the pieces & rebuilding,the British film industry started to guess that people will eventually want to start flocking back to the movies again. 1947 brought 'Brighton Rock' (released in the U.S. as 'Young Scarface'),from the celebrated crime novel by author Graham Greene. It is the story of Brighton's criminal underground (Brighton,being a sea side holiday area). The story centers on Pinkie Brown,a young,up & coming career criminal (played here by Richard Attenborough,years before he became Sir Richard Attenborough),and the gang of slimy criminals he obviously wants to be the head of,someday. Between gang hits on various targets they want done away with,forever,Pinkie takes a fancy to Rose,a young attractive waitress,working at a sandwich shop in Brighton (played here by Carol Marsh),whom he eventually marries. Pinkie's success as an underworld crime figure is in danger of being found out by a brass,loud mouthed,but well meaning woman,named Ida Arnold (played by a then young,Hermonie Baddeley,forever known for playing domestics in such films as 'Mary Poppins'),who adds some nice touches of humour to the dark goings on. A nice plot twist ending (I'm not saying what)compliments the film,nicely. John Boulting ('I'm Alright,Jack','Rotten To The Core')directs a taut,well written screenplay by Graham Greene & Terrance Rattigan,from the novel by Greene. The film's sumptuous black & white photography,which brings out the atmospheric balance of light & shadow is by Harry Waxman,with tight editing by Peter Graham Scott. This is film noir at it's best (make no mistake about it),that easily takes it's place among noir classics such as 'This Gun For Hire',the original 1949 version of 'D.O.A.',and others. Not rated by the MPAA (as it had not been organized as of yet,but films were overseen by the National Board of Review,back then),this film has some flashes of violence,that were quite bloody for that era (the film received an 'A' certification from the British Film Censorship Board,for adult content---the board's censorship seal was always spliced into the first reel of every film that played in the United Kingdom)