For reasons best known to 1) himself, or 2) the person or persons to whom he sold the rights, writer-actor Reginald Beckwith was not featured in this 1949 adaptation of his 1940 hit play. Although it seems like he is the only English actor who wasn't wheeled out for this proction it only SEEMS that way and we look in vain for stalwarts like Sam Kydd, Vic Maddern, Alfie Bass et al.
Amazon notwithstanding, a DVD of this is available and I recently ran across it. The story is pretty basic and not very believable but you do learn quite a bit about the time in which it happens.
If you've ever wanted to see Dirk Bogarde in shorts then this is the film for you!! (Today's generation of young offenders would probably regard being made to wear short trousers cruel & unusual punishment in itself; and I still haven't decided yet who looks more grotesque in shorts, Alfie Bass in this or Roman Polanski in 'A Generation'!
Somewhat dated (understandably), this snapshot of 1949 borstal was a little surprising to me in that I had the idea that borstal conditions were *much* tougher than the movie portrayed.The acting is, generally, very good (particularly by the main characters Jack Warner, Richard Attenborough, Dirk Bogarde).
A young petty criminal called Jackie Knowles (Richard Attenborough) is sentenced to three years at Borstal for being the getaway driver in a botched raid on a jewelry store. At the time he was already on probation for a previous offence.
At the time of making this film Borstals had inmates up to the age of 23, so the actors look right for the parts they play. One of the inmates in the film is married and has 2 children so the critics who say the actors are too old are wrong.
BOYS IN BROWN is an engaging little tale of borstal life made in 1949. It's mainly of interest to see a thoroughly ensemble cast doing their bit, with a script allowing each character to develop and stand out from the crowd.
Most of this film is set at a reform school for young offenders. I had to laugh at this because most of the actors are in their late 20s and some look well over 30!
