Borstal Boy (2000)

Irish writer and political activist Brendan Behan, is befriended as a teenager in a British labor camp by a liberal warden.

Director:

Peter Sheridan

Writers:

Brendan Behan (book), Nye Heron

Stars:

Shawn Hatosy, Danny Dyer, Eamon Glancy

1 win & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Shawn Hatosy	...	Brendan Behan
Eamon Glancy	...	Manning
Ian McElhinney	...	Verreker
Patricia Leventon	...	Landlady
Danny Dyer	...	Charlie Milwall
Dennis Conway	...	Holmes
John O'Toole	...	Whitbread
Luke Hayden	...	Alex
Lee Ingleby	...	Dale
Brian de Salvo	...	Judge Goddard
Jer O'Leary	...	Republican in Court
Joe Taylor	...	Mortimer
Eoin Slattery	...	James
Mark Huberman	...	Mac
Tony Coleman	...	Cragg

Storyline

Brendan Behan, a sixteen year-old republican, is going on a bombing mission from Ireland to Liverpool during the second world war. His mission is thwarted when he is apprehended, charged and imprisoned in Borstal, a reform institution for young offenders in East Anglia, England. At Borstal, Brendan is forced to live face-to-face with those he perceived as "the enemy," a confrontation that reveals a deep inner conflict in the young Brendan and forces a self-examination that is both traumatic and revealing. Events take an unexpected turn and Brendan is thrown into a complete spin. In the emotional vortex, he finally faces up to the truth.

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Plot Keywords:

train station | breaking down a door | borstal | writer | irish | 

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Taglines:

In 1942, acclaimed Irish poet Brendan Behan was sent to a reform school. What he learned was that love knows no prison.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

The Broadway production of "Borstal Boy" based on a book by Brendan Behan and adapted for the stage by Frank McMahon opened at the Lyceum Theater in New York on March 31, 1970, ran for 143 performances and won the 1970 Tony Award for Best play.

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Goofs

When Brendan arrives in Liverpool (which is actually London in the movie) he is passed by a London Transport Routemaster bus, a type which did not appear until 1958, though the movie is set in 1942.

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Quotes

[about Love]
Brendan Behan: I had it both ways... just like Oscar Wilde.

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Connections

Featured in Beyond Clueless (2014)

User Reviews

A Fine Film - Please See It

I rented this because I had interest in Brendan Behan. Well, I was surprised by this film.

Shawn Hatosy is brilliant as a young Behan. You must see him in this role.

I was completely taken away with the story and the characters. The actors all are believable and true.

It does concern the IRA which I know little about. This takes place during WW II and it is interesting that the Behan character, although very primal and dedicated to his commitment to the Irish Republic, does in fact concede, given the far more devastating events happening in the wider sphere of the world, that for a time at least he is willing to 'lay down arms' and not resist.

I must mention the music. I am sorry I do not know the name of the composer, but it is superb and appropriately atmospherically Irish at the right times. The songs are all wonderful especially the ending song which one also hears at a truly pivotal and emotional point near the end of the film.

I don't talk or write much. I just love this film. I high recommend it to people who like character-driven films.

Details

Country:

UK Ireland

Language:

English Irish

Release Date:

8 December 2000 (Ireland)

Also Known As:

Um Jovem Irlandês

Filming Locations:

Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$11,164, 3 March 2002

Gross USA:

$87,400

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$87,400

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Screen Productions, British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB), Bórd Scannán na hÉireann

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1