Brighton Rock (1947 and 2011): scene by scene (film studies)

Compare this year's re-make to the startling original based on Graham Greene's 1939 novel about a gangster marrying a girl to stop her testifying to a murder. Cleverly updated to 1964, Brighton still rocks.

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Key course information

Date
15/10/11

Day(s)
Sat

Duration
1 week

Time
10:30 - 17:30

Fees
Full fee: £45
Senior fee: £27
Concession: £13

Venue
KS - Keeley Street

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Course code
HF018

Availability
This course has finished

This course has finished

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Still got questions?
humanities@citylit.ac.uk or call 020 7492 2652

Course outline

What is the course about?

Comparing the 2011 re-make to the startling 1947 original movie, and both films to the 1938 Graham Greene novel about a gangster who marries a girl to stop her from testifying to a murder. The re-make is cleverly updated to 1964 and - it has to be said - Brighton still rocks!

What topics will we cover?

the growing importance of British social realism and documentary during WW2

largely unknown career of the then top British director, Carol Reed (he and David Lean competed fiercely) reaching a peak during the ‘40s. We have an idea of what a David Lean film is but what is a Carol Reed - was he just ‘the third man’ after Powell & Lean?

censors vs. studio production for a mass audience: was it possible to film the novel’s ending faithfully in the forties - or, indeed, in 2011? The American version was not censored and was re-named “Young Scarface”

the world of Greene’s novel - this must be stressed! - is the world of thirties’ Brighton: smart yet tawdry, exotic in a country set in gloom.

Greene, Pinkie & Rose were all Catholic and thus subject to guilt (a Greene theme) but the Boulting Brothers tried to escape this suffocation by hiring the fashionable cause celebre Terence Rattigan as a script doctor. What is the differential and what was the result? Why was Greene brought back to mend the doctored script?

The ending: a betrayal of a startling, fearsome performance by a 24-year-old Richard Attenborough.

By the end of this course you should be able to:

delineate the contents, themes and style of director Carol Reed
discuss how the cinema related to postwar social conditions
list and evaluate Carol Reed’s ouvre
decide whether a re-make can bring something new or vital to a masterpiece.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

From entry level to advanced, we will spend the day on basics.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

Lecture, screening, interviews, student introductions to clips, tutor’s re-mix/mash-up to stimulate discussion.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

No, though you are invited to bring your own clips.
Please bring pen and paper.

Do I need to have an interview before I can enrol?

No.

What feedback will I get?

You will receive regular feedback from your tutor throughout the course, as and when appropriate. At the end of the course you and your tutor are asked to assess the progress you have made.

How will I be able to give my views on the course?

Please complete the evaluation form at the end of your course. These are monitored and help us to continually improve our courses.

How do I find out if I can get some support for my learning?

You may be interested in: education and careers advice; financial and childcare support; disability support; support for Deaf and hearing-impaired students; dyslexia support; English and maths support; counselling, and library services (supported learning centre). To find out what may be available to you, and how to apply, see page 213 of the 11/12 course guide, or visit www.citylit.ac.uk/students

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

The Red Shoes vs. Black Swan scene by scene.

General information and advice on courses at City Lit is available from the Information and Advice Shop, open Monday to Friday 12:00 – 19:00 during term time, and Monday to Friday 12:00 – 17:00 out of term time. See the course guide for term dates and further details.

Who can I contact for further information?

Tel: 020 7492 2652

humanities@citylit.ac.uk

Advice times:

During term-time Monday 12.30–13.30 and 17.30–18.30 Thursday 12.30–13.30 and 17.30–18.30

Non term-time Monday 17.30–18.30 Thursday 12.30–13.30.

To enrol on a course, call 020 7831 7831.