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. Richard Attenborough is the nominal lead, inevitably after BRIGHTON ROCK, but others such as Michael Medwin, Dirk Bogarde and Jimmy Hanley all stand out too. The story weaves together various little subplots in order to stay interesting but particularly excels during a latter stage jailbreak sequence which features as an early precursor to THE GREAT ESCAPE. This is mature, reflective filmmaking that doesn't back down.
Review of Boys in Brown
