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May 1996, Week 5

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Subject:
From:
Tony Williams <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Film and TV Studies Discussion List <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Thu, 30 May 1996 12:00:10 CST
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 Actually Pinky is not really redeemed in BRIGHTON ROCK. The ending represents
a compromise between the actual ending of Greene's novel and the "happy
ending" required by most narrative films. I believe Greene worked on the
screenplay and suggested the compromise ending toBoulting. At the climax
the scene is shot with an artificially high key lighting technique giving
the whole structure an air of illusion.
  The needle gets stuck where the record containing Pinky's voice transmits
the end of his romantic message and before his abuse of her. At some point
in the film, the record is damaged resulting in this aberration. The film
actually ends with the needle stuck in the groove. But this leaves open the
question whether Rose is going to move the arm and listen to the rest of the
message which will devastate her romantic illusions about Pinky. Hence, the
deliberate artificial lighting in the final sequence.
   Greene believed it would be a good compromise satisfying both the
"happy ending" audience and the more alert members into the irony of the
actual ending.
  I believe Norman Sherry's recent biography on Graham Greene (perhaps Vol.
1?) may contain further information.
  Tony Williams
 
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