Review: The Boys

Four delinquent ‘Teddy Boys’ (Dudley Sutton, Jess Conrad, Ronald Lacey, and Tony Garnett) are standing trial for robbery and the murder of an elderly garage nightwatchman. Defending them in an uphill battle is Robert Morley’s defence counsel, who tries to use every legal trick he can think of. He also tries to get the snotty little tearaways to realise that the hangman’s noose potentially awaits them and this is serious bloody business they’re facing here. Opposing counsel is played by Richard Todd, who takes his task equally seriously. Among the witnesses are a dapper Allan Cuthbertson, elderly janitor Wilfrid Brambell, and a very nervous bus driver played by Roy Kinnear. Felix Aylmer presides over the matter as the authoritative judge, Kenneth J. Warren is the rather naïve garage owner, whilst Charles Morgan plays a pool hall owner who knows the boys are trouble.

 

A top-shelf British character actor cast is the whole show in this 1962 mixture of courtroom flick and juvenile delinquent film from eclectic director Sidney J. Furie (“The Entity”, “Superman IV: The Quest for Peace”, “Iron Eagle”). Scripted by Stuart Douglass (otherwise a TV writer), it’s static and stagey: Aside from some “Rashomon”-style flashbacks it never leaves the courthouse, and I think it really could’ve stood to be more judiciously edited if I’m being honest. I also found it a bit dubious at times from a legal perspective, too. Perhaps that wasn’t much of a concern to moviegoers of 1962. However, if you’re a fan of British character actors, here’s some of the best of the 50s and 60s doing their thing, and for me it carried the film along just enough to recommend.

 

Although at first glance you might suspect they’d be better suited in each other’s roles, Robert Morley and deep-voiced Richard Todd are both top-notch as the opposing legal counsels. Morley comes across like a more cheery Charles Laughton at times, and gives off stern headmaster vibes to his clients at other times. They don’t seem to realise the trouble they’re potentially in if they are found guilty, and Morley – Todd too, for that matter – very much realise it. Todd essentially plays the voice of civilised adult society who whilst compassionate, wants the irresponsible and untamed youths to be held accountable for their behaviour if guilty. There’s definitely some teenagers-run-amok moralising going on here, but also a sympathy given to the lower classes, as well as dealing with the death penalty debate. It’s all very worthy stuff, just not the most exciting watch because it’s so frequently dry and talky. Yes, “12 Angry Men” was all-talk too and in one location, yet it’s one of my all-time favourite films. However, I found the dialogue in that far more digestible and certainly more consistently fascinating. Here I found my mind wandering every now and then.

 

Amongst the accused, the surly-looking Dudley Sutton and perfectly cast Ronald Lacey (looking sociopathic, but very young) stand out. Lacey in particular nearly walks off with the whole film. He’s so evil-looking, though I’m sure he was a nice chap in real-life. Sutton’s face says a heck of a lot, and really comes into his own towards the end when that tough façade comes down a tad. He’s a tough young bastard, but he’s still only 18 and perhaps not quite as tough as he likes to think. He could very well be facing a very premature end to his life, if found guilty. In terms of supporting players, the big stand out is an unforgettable cameo by the usually comedic Roy Kinnear, as an emotionally unstable, not terribly bright bus driver and witness. Terribly affecting, it’s one of his best-ever performances and for me the highlight of the entire film (Amazingly, as one of the supposedly ‘older’ characters, the already balding Kinnear was a year younger at the time than 29 year-old Sutton. Let that one sink in!) Cinephiles will also spot Aussie-born Allan Cuthbertson (who sounds about as Aussie as Queen Elizabeth II), another Aussie-born in Kenneth J. Warren, long-serving Felix Aylmer bringing class and authority as the judge, a solid Charles Morgan, and small bits for David Lodge and Patrick Magee playing parents of the accused. Lodge gets the bigger role as Lacey’s likeable dad. What a cast!

 

Dry and stagy, with perhaps needing a break from the court proceedings from time to time. However, if you enjoy British character actors, you’ll be in terrific company here. It’s solidly, if not spectacularly done, and a sometimes interesting if not exciting film. Worth a look if you can manage to track it down, as it appears to be largely forgotten.

 

Rating: B-