Another old film post from 2013. Only Eddy has seen this one.
Working my way around European Cinema, I almost forgot the UK. The long tradition of film-making here has been diluted over the years, with the demise of many famous studios, and leading actors and directors ‘defecting’ to the USA. There is still a vast amount to choose from though, and here are five to think about.
Brighton Rock. The first, and best film treatment of the Graham Greene novel. This 1947 film gives the young Richard Attenborough the role of the psychotic Pinkie, a juvenile gang-leader , arguably one of his best ever performances. Filmed for the most part on the streets of post-war Brighton during the summer, it serves as a fascinating social documentary as well, portraying those times, the vehicles, and the style of dress. With a cast of well-known British character actors supporting Attenborough’s menacing central lead, this is a great example of the sort of British…
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beetleypete 
Thank you, Pete! Will have a look! Michael
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All worth seeing, Michael.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Thank you, Pete! 🙂
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I’ve seen neither Laurence Olivier’s “Henry V'” nor Kenneth Branagh’s “Henry V.”
I would dearly love to see both and compare notes.
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I have seen both. Olivier’s one is quite ‘stagey’. The later film goes for a similar Shakespearian feel, but is more ‘cinematic’. I prefer the Olivier film, as I find Branagh very ‘false’.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I didn’t know about that Greene adaptation. I vividly remember seeing Lawrence of Arabia when it came out on a giant screen in a very elaborate(since destroyed)movie house. I was enthralled.
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I saw it in on release Central London on a 70mm widescreen print, and was completely overwhelmed by the visuals. Even now, the direction by David Lean has rarely been bettered.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Then you can understand the lasting effect the film had on me.
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I’ve seen Get Carter and Lawrence of Arabia. Both wonderful films. I particularly like Get Carter. I enjoyed your take on the film. I agree with everything except I found John Osborne quite convincing as a gangster. The character’s homosexuality gives him an extra air of menace, I think.
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Thanks, Pam. An interesting take on Osbourne. In the film ‘Villain’ (1971) Richard Burton played a homosexual gangster who loved his old mum, but had the hots for Ian McShane too.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0067952/ I think he was based on Ronnie Kray, a famous London gangster.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I conjure an image of Soviet and British defectors to the US sitting around over tea or drinks and lamenting the demise of the old days in the homelands. Warmest regards, Theo
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That’s an interesting image to conjure, Theo. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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It was your choice of the word in the second sentence of the post. Warmest regards, Theo
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Aha! 🙂
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