Product Description

An emotionally moving coming-of-age drama in the tradition of Another Country and Maurice , starring Danny Dyer. Brendan Behan, a sixteen year-old republican, is going on a bombing mission from Ireland to Liverpool during the Second World War. His mission is thwarted when he is apprehended, charged is imprisoned in Borstal, a reform institution for young offenders in East Anglia, England. At Borstal, Brendan is forced to live face-to-face with those he perceived as the enemy , a confrontation that reveals deep inner conflict and forces self-examination that is both traumatic and revealing. Events take an unexpected turn, and Brendan is thrown into a complete spin. In the emotional vortex, he finally faces up to the truth. Borstal Boy is adapted from the acclaimed autobiographical novel by Irish writer Brendan Behan, before becoming a Tony-winning play in the early 1970 s

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2058 in DVD
• Released on: 2008-04-28
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Format: PAL
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 99 minutes

Synopsis
Peter Sheridan, the acclaimed Irish theatre director and brother of film director Jim Sheridan (MY LEFT FOOT) makes his feature directorial debut with an adaptation of playwright, novelist, and political rogue Brendan Behan’s autobiographical tale. In 1939, sixteen-year-old IRA recruit Behan (Shawn Hatosy), hides TNT in his trousers and boards a ferry for England, eager to further the Irish Republic's cause. Nabbed immediately by police, the underage Behan evades the hangman's noose, and is sentenced to four years at an English 'borstal', or reform school, run by the paternal Governor Joyce (Michael York). The cocky idealist, now living with the enemy--troubled boys that Brendan finds remarkably similar to himself--quickly begins planning his escape. To his dismay, Brendan becomes the object of handsome thief Charlie Millwall’s (Danny Dyer) wistful homosexual affections. The young Irishman fights against association with a 'poofter', but in spite of himself, grows closer to Charlie. Meanwhile, Brendan begins a tenuous relationship with Joyce's daughter, Elizabeth (Eva Birthistle), a literate and upper crust painter. Hatosy and Dyer deliver nuanced performances that enhance Sheridan's loving homage to a literary legend's youthful exploration of sexuality and creativity.

Customer Reviews

Watch the film then read the book
Borstal Boy (Arena Books)

This film is 'inspired by' the autobiographical book by acclaimed Irish author Brendan Behan, and stars American actor Shawn Hatosy in the lead role as Brendan. It's set during WW2 and covers the period in Behan's life from when he was arrested in Liverpool for IRA activities, through his custodial sentence in Borstal (UK reform school) to his release and return back to Ireland.
The film itself isn't a filmed biopic of Behan's early life; but stands up as an entertaining account of a wartime Borstal institution, the acting, direction and cinematography evoking the period well enough. Viewers familiar with Behan's book will be disappointed though, as the film chooses to ignore some of the more interesting incidents Behan writes about; instead it invents or improvises events which may or may not have happened and leaves one wondering why they felt the need to include such scenes.
The best performance of the film no doubt goes to Danny Dyer as Croydon gay sailor Charlie Millwall. Dyer pretty much steals every scene he's in, despite being robbed of portraying some of the more startling scenes Behan writes about in his book (such as being discovered in bed with another inmate by Brendan after a row). Other colourful characters in the book such as Italian Joe and Shaggy Callaghan are hardly mentioned in the film at all.
That said, many situations are covered..indeed sometimes embellished; the Eisteddfod/Concert, Walton Gaol, The Govenor etc.
So watch the film, enjoy it, then do it properly and order the book.

Brilliant
Again another Danny Dyer film that is fantastic. After watching The Business, The Football Factory, Severance and Goodbye Charlie Bright, I was expecting this to be more of the same, Dyer playing an East End gangster, and been brilliant at it. I was very suprised watching this film. Dyer portrays a gay sailor and the storyline revolves around romance and passion.
It is not his usual however if your a fan of Danny Dyer in his gangster films, give this a go. You may be pleasently suprised. I was!

A 'watchable' film
A good film, with a nice plot. A few twists, but never anything really to keep you entertained.
As the title says it is 'watchable', but I wouldn't be watching it again anytime soon and I wouldn't recommend it to anybody either.

The quality of the acting is good, Danny Dyer plays a very good part.

Overall I would say the film is mediocore. Perhaps it is not what I expected with the title of 'Borstal Boy' or maybe it isn't my 'cup of tea'. But only three stars unfortunately.