As for the film itself I've always had mixed feelings about it. The British crime/gangster films of the late 40s were in many ways a response to WWII having prepared cinema audiences for greater realism, but also of the film industry, and in particular its censorship culture, not being quite ready. I don't think Brighton Rock is the masterpiece that many historians believe: other examples of the genre, notably They Made Me a Fugitive and Odd Man Out are more stylishly shot, more subtly characterised and negotiate the ambivolent political climate more cleverly - certainly more cleverly than the botched ending of Brighton Rock (see below).

Neverless there are some highlights, especially the location shooting in Brighton and Richard Attenborough's genuinely convincing performance as the teenage gangster. This contrasts starkly with some terrible ham-acting from the supporting cast, e.g. Hermione Baddeley and whoever it was that played the drunken lawyer. When the censors made it clear that the conclusion of Graham Greene's book - an innocent Catholic girl committing premeditated suicide - was not acceptable in the film, a hastily scripted and shot alternative 'happy' ending was substituted, which succeeds in destroying the whole atmosphere of the film in thirty seconds flat. I understand that the original final scene still survives. I would have preferred to see it reinstated for this new release, though I understand that this raises issues of authenticity, given that it was never shown when the film was originally released.