5. Brighton Rock (1947)
Adapted from the novel of the same name by Graham Greene, Brighton Rock deals with the misadventures of 'Pinkie' - a hoodlum who runs with a group of criminals. They operate out of Brighton's race track. A reporter writes an article that leads to the gang's head's death and Pinkie takes over. He tracks down the reporter and kills him - but gets away with it. He is still paranoid though, and sends one of his men called Splicer to take care of matters. Of course Splicer makes a cock up and leaves a vital clue behind that a waitress named Rose discovers. Pinkie has to kill Splicer and court Rose so she won't testify against him. There is a nosy snooper called Ida who takes it upon herself to investigate the murder. Added to Pinkie's woes there is a large scale racketeering company looking to take over the race track. Pinkie decides to kill Rose before leaving town and talks her into a double suicide pact. However, she is unable to go through with it. The police turn up and Pinkie shoots himself - leaving Rose to believe that she was his great love. Outstanding film from the legendary Boulting Brothers, Richard Attenborough gives probably the best performance of his career as the psychopathic Pinkie who weaves a web of murder, intimidation and coercion around him. A truly great British gangster film - Brighton Rock could show Guy Ritchie a thing or two about making such films. For me, I have yet to see such an affecting and effective British crime film. It is classy and beautifully photographed, and the novel itself loses nothing in translation due to the intricately drawn characters who have depth and meaning. The film uncovers a seedy underbelly to Brighton, an underbelly one wouldn't have ascribed to the 1940s, but it is well drawn and all too believable. The film has not lessened in its visceral impact despite the passing of the years. It is uncompromising viewing at its best. It is emotionally and intellectually involving and thus it will always be a classic movie. If you haven't watched the film, I cannot urge you strongly enough to get your hands on a copy.