Brighton Rock (1948)

Pinkie Brown is a small-town hoodlum whose gang runs a protection racket based at Brighton race course. When Pinkie murders a journalist called Fred Hale whom he believes is responsible for... See full summary »

Director:

John Boulting

Writers:

Graham Greene (from the novel by), Graham Greene (screenplay)

Stars:

Richard Attenborough, Hermione Baddeley, William Hartnell

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Richard Attenborough	...	Pinkie Brown
Hermione Baddeley	...	Ida Arnold
William Hartnell	...	Dallow
Harcourt Williams	...	Prewitt
Wylie Watson	...	Spicer
Nigel Stock	...	Cubitt
Virginia Winter	...	Judy
Reginald Purdell	...	Frank
George Carney	...	Phil Corkery
Charles Goldner	...	Colleoni
Alan Wheatley	...	Fred Hale
Carol Marsh	...	Rose
Lina Barrie	...	Molly
Joan Sterndale-Bennett	...	Delia
Harry Ross	...	Brewer

Storyline

Pinkie Brown is a small-town hoodlum whose gang runs a protection racket based at Brighton race course. When Pinkie murders a journalist called Fred Hale whom he believes is responsible for the death of a fellow gang-member, the police believe it to be suicide. This doesn't convince Ida Arnold, who was with Fred just before he died, and she sets out to find the truth. She comes across naive waitress Rose, who can prove that Fred was murdered. In an attempt to keep Rose quiet Pinkie marries her. But with his gang beginning to doubt his ability, and his rivals taking over his business, Pinkie starts to become more desperate and violent.

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Plot Keywords:

british noir | based on novel | gang | protection racket | police | 

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Taglines:

Raw! Brutal! Razor Gangs in Action!

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 September 1948 (France)

Also Known As:

Brighton Rock

Filming Locations:

Brighton Pavilion, Brighton, East Sussex, England, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$10,626, 21 June 2009, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$223,887, 30 October 2011

Company Credits

Production Co:

Associated British Picture Corporation (ABPC), Charter Film Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Sir Richard Attenborough reprised his role from the stage version three years earlier. Hermione Baddeley and William Hartnell had also appeared in the theatrical production.

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Goofs

As Fred Hale (Alan Wheatley) makes his abortive run away from Pinkie's gang to the railway station in the centre of Brighton, when he sees his way blocked he turns and catches a number 40 bus leaving from the bus stand. The next shot shows the bus leaving - except that it's now a number 6.

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Quotes

Pinkie Brown: [on the record he made earlier] You wanted a recording of my voice, well here it is. What you want me to say is 'I love you'...
Pinkie Brown: [the record - scratched when he tried to destroy it - suddenly jumps] ... I love you... I love you... I love you... I love you...
[Fin. Last lines]

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Crazy Credits

Opening credits prologue: Brighton today is a large, jolly, friendly seaside town in Sussex, exactly one hour's journey from London. But in the years between the two wars, behind the Regency terraces and crowded beaches, there was another Brighton of dark alleyways and festering slums. From here, the poison of crime and violence and gang warfare began to spread, until the challenge was taken up by the Police. This is a story of that other Brighton - now happily no more.

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Connections

Referenced in Lovejoy: The March of Time (1986)

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Soundtracks

Overture from 'The Hebrides' (Fingal's Cave)
(uncredited)
Music by Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy
Played when Pinkie is talking to Rose when it starts to rain

User Reviews

Top notch gangster film British style

I hope this film is remembered for all time as it is an incredible piece of film-making. Excellent script, suspense and a wonderful performance by Richard Attenborough as the ruthless and emotionless gang leader Pinky.

Despite Brighton being known for its family orientated beaches, entertainment and pier, we see a very dark and disturbing side to this relaxed holiday town. There is a sinister feel throughout and is shot and edited very well. It was a bit hard to understand some of the dialogue at times but this did not matter as it captivates and draws you in for the duration.

I recommend it highly.