Borstal Boy

Released Mar 1, 2002

1 hr. 33 min.

Drama

List

47%

34 Reviews

Tomatometer

62%

1,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Brendan Behan, a 16-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 and 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 a deep inner conflict in the young Brendan and forces a self-examination that is revealing.

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Critics Consensus

The sentimentality of Borstal Boy feels false in contrast to the gritty life of the actual Brendan Behan.

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garth m

Watched the movie once again. Criminal organizations have long used children to do their dirty work because if caught they'll get off lightly. The Canadian Young-Offenders Act has been accused of fostering this belief. Terrorist groups and guerrilla armies like children because they are malleable and make fanatical fighters. Brendan Behan was so recruited by the IRA and found himself confined to Borstal Prison for boys. As played by Michael York the Prison Administrator was a fair-minded disciplinarian who believed in rehabilitation and treated his charges with the same respect he expected from them in return. As Behan Shawn Hatosy brings a Watched the movie once again. Criminal organizations have long used children to do their dirty work because if caught they'll get off lightly. The Canadian Young-Offenders Act has been accused of fostering this belief. Terrorist groups and guerrilla armies like children because they are malleable and make fanatical fighters. Brendan Behan was so recruited by the IRA and found himself confined to Borstal Prison for boys. As played by Michael York the Prison Administrator was a fair-minded disciplinarian who believed in rehabilitation and treated his charges with the same respect he expected from them in return. As Behan Shawn Hatosy brings a nascent Irish legend to life. The movie makes of a negative experience a positive rebirth.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

08/26/14

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Audience Member

Sweet but really awkward.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

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Audience Member

Good story. Touching period piece. A most confusing love triangle blossoms. I recommend it if you are not a closed-minded prude, and you appreciate the Brits.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/18/23

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Audience Member

Loved loved this film

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/20/23

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Audience Member

This is a moving drama that *just* manages to veer away from being too preachy at the end, although it was a close call. Shawn Hatosy turns in an impressively understated performance.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A very nice story of young Brendan Behan that shows love sometimes is found in unexpected places. As with any movie with WWII as a backdrop, there is not always a lot of sunshine, but the sweetness of youth is demonstrated.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/12/23

Full Review

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Peter Sheridan

Director

Shawn Hatosy

Brendan Behan

Danny Dyer

Charlie Milwall

Michael York

Joyce

Lee Ingleby

Dale

Robin Laing

Jock

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Janice Page

Boston Globe

Dripping with cliche and bypassing no opportunity to trivialize the material.

Rated: 2/4

Jun 7, 2002

Full Review

Steven Rea

Philadelphia Inquirer

Takes a clunky TV-movie approach to detailing a chapter in the life of the celebrated Irish playwright, poet and drinker.

Rated: 2/4

May 2, 2002

Full Review

Misha Berson

Seattle Times

Well-made but mush-hearted.

Rated: 2.5/4

Apr 12, 2002

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Jan Stuart

The Advocate

The result is as entertaining and manipulative as such a formula might promise, helped immeasurably by engaging performances from the two male leads.

Jun 1, 2022

Full Review

Michael Dequina

TheMovieReport.com

Rated: 2/5

Apr 7, 2009

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 2/5

Sep 26, 2005

Full Review

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Synopsis

Brendan Behan, a 16-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 and 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 a deep inner conflict in the young Brendan and forces a self-examination that is revealing.

Director: Peter Sheridan
Executive Producer: Nye Heron, Jim Sheridan
Screenwriter: Brendan Behan, Nye Heron, Peter Sheridan
Distributor: Strand Releasing
Production Co: Hell's Kitchen Films, Full Schilling Investments
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 1, 2002, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 25, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $87.1K
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby SR, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Dolby Stereo

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