Classic British gangster film

Tweekums

One doesn't really expect to see Richard Attenborough playing anybody who isn't a nice person at heart but in Brighton Rock his character Pinkie Brown is rotten to the core.

The film opens with a man arriving in Brighton, he is working for a news paper leaving cards which finders can claim ten shillings for, also according to the paper anybody who identifies him and says the correct words can claim ten shilling from him. Unfortunately for him his picture in the paper is recognised by Pinkie, a young gangster he had crossed in the past. Pinkie finds him and threatens him, he flees to the pier but runs into Pinkie again on the ghost train ride and is pushed off into the sea. The other members of Pinkie's gang think he went too far but still help him cover up the crime by placing more of Fred's cards around town so that the police think the crime happened later than it did so Pinkie will have an alibi.

Unfortunately one of the cards was left in a café where it is likely that he will be recognised by the waitress. Pinkie goes to see her at it is clear that she remembers the man who left the card and she doesn't think he looks like the man who's picture appeared in the paper. Initially Pinkie thinks he can persuade her to keep quiet about things by taking her out a few times but as he fears his alibi might unravel he marries her knowing she can't be forced to testify against him. While this is going on Ivy, a woman who met Fred shortly before his death, is convinced that it wasn't an accident and is conducting her own investigation.

The film is gripping from start to finish with a constant sense of menace whenever Pinkie is around, Richard Attenborough did a great job in the role, the film was also helped by Carol Marsh's portrayal of Rose, the unfortunate waitress who is dragged into his life. The only real fault I can find with the film is that Pink claims to be seventeen when Attenborough was considerable older at the time and looks it. I'd certainly recommend this film and not just to those who like classic cinema, it can be enjoyed by anybody who likes a gripping story.

score 9/10

Tweekums 5 July 2009

Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw2091230/