Certainly, MGM's 1955 classic "The Blackboard Jungle" tells the story of troubled youth in a way that the independent studios could never afford to. The lack of cliche, realistic characterizations and powerful performances make it stand out 60+ years later. The independent studios cast mainly amateur or untrained actors, focused more on the reality of grittiness and sometimes struck a cord. Over in England, the issue of teenage delinquency went back years on film, and this entry (set in Liverpool) in that genre ranks as one of the best on either coast. The film will grab you from the start with its shot of two seemingly sweet children defrauding a busy shop keeper of money, claiming she shortchanged them when she hadn't even waited on them. It's the old con game that people still try today, and through the innocent eyes of these children, you can see how people get fooled. The children (Fergal and Brona Boland) have a delinquent teen brother (David McCallum) who gets into trouble and whose history is explained to newly arrived local juvenile inspector Stanley Baker by the kindly local priest Peter Cushing who has known the family all their lives. McCallum's character goes from calm one minute to psychopathic pyromaniac the next, and as his wrath erupts, he finds himself the subject of a determined manhunt where innocent people will become victims.
The reality of this British made film is so deeply disturbing that it takes a very alert viewer in the right frame of mind to deal with its dark themes. The entire cast is superb, with McCallum in one of his first films truly remarkable in a part where you feel you can see this character's soul erupting from his eyes. It's one of those parts where it is hard to dislike the character and easy to want to see him get help to get over the mental issues which have turned him into a very dangerous person. Another outstanding performance comes from Anne Heywood, the basically decent older sister in the family, and the caretaker, unable to handle all the pressures put on her. Great detail has been put into the screenplay to flesh these characters out, so they literally explode off the screen as if they were people you might know in your own neighborhood. Baker, as a character who admittedly hates children, isn't your typical officious officer, but soft spoken and thoughtful, even though he obviously has his own issues. The gentility of Cushing's character is very touching, and the one scene where McCallum almost breaks down under Cushing's guidance is tear inducing. This deservedly got a BAFTA nomination for its script, making you feel like you are in the middle of this troubled city, and an eye witness to pretty much everything.
The reality of this British made film is so deeply disturbing that it takes a very alert viewer in the right frame of mind to deal with its dark themes. The entire cast is superb, with McCallum in one of his first films truly remarkable in a part where you feel you can see this character's soul erupting from his eyes. It's one of those parts where it is hard to dislike the character and easy to want to see him get help to get over the mental issues which have turned him into a very dangerous person. Another outstanding performance comes from Anne Heywood, the basically decent older sister in the family, and the caretaker, unable to handle all the pressures put on her. Great detail has been put into the screenplay to flesh these characters out, so they literally explode off the screen as if they were people you might know in your own neighborhood. Baker, as a character who admittedly hates children, isn't your typical officious officer, but soft spoken and thoughtful, even though he obviously has his own issues. The gentility of Cushing's character is very touching, and the one scene where McCallum almost breaks down under Cushing's guidance is tear inducing. This deservedly got a BAFTA nomination for its script, making you feel like you are in the middle of this troubled city, and an eye witness to pretty much everything.