Borstal Boy

Borstal Boy (2002)

  • 45% of critics liked it
    (33 reviews)

  • 65% of users liked it
    (1,523 ratings)

The teen years of Irish writer and political activist Brendan Behan. At the age of sixteen, while on a bombing mission from Ireland to Liverpool during the Second World War, he is caught by the British. He is sent to a Borstal, a reform institution for young offenders, in the south of England. At… More

Unrated, 1 hr. 33 min.
Directed By
Peter Sheridan
Written By
Peter Sheridan, Nye Heron
Genres
Art House & International, Drama
In Theaters
Mar 1, 2002 Wide
On DVD
Oct 15, 2002
Strand Releasing

Critic Reviews

  • Janice Page, Boston Globe

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

  • Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee

    Hatosy establishes himself here not only as the bona fide star of this little ensemble film, but also as a talent to be watched.

  • 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.

  • Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

    A film that will probably please people already fascinated by Behan but leave everyone else yawning with admiration.

  • Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

    Does anyone much think the central story of Brendan Behan is that he was a bisexual sweetheart before he took to drink?

Read all 15 critic reviews

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

  • Thomas J


    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.

  • Lady D


    I think the average fan of Danny Dyer, may be a little disappointed with this film as he doesn?t play his stereotypical type of role. Performance-wise, it was a good surprise that the Actor wasn?t typecast, however it lacked any major excitement.