Borstal (2017)

A raw British drama following a young man's harrowing sentence inside a rural 1970s youth detention facility.

Borstal - Movie Information

  • Original Title: Borstal
  • Release Year: 2017
  • Directed by: Steven M. Smith
  • Type: Movie
  • Genres: Drama
  • Runtime: 1h 27m
  • Original Language: English
  • Spoken Languages: English
  • Production Companies: Greenway Entertainment
  • Production Countries: United Kingdom

Borstal - Plot

Kris is sentenced to two years in a rural Borstal.

Borstal - Trailer

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Borstal - Cast & Crew

Director(s)

  • Steven M. Smith

Main Cast

  • Patrick Kilpatrick
  • Jon-Paul Gates
  • Matthew Winters
  • Tiffany-Ellen Robinson
  • Rorie Stockton
  • Sonny Denham
  • Tony Fadil
  • Kevin Horsham
  • Maria Austin

Writers

  • Steven M. Smith
  • Kris Gray
  • Christopher Jolley

Producers

  • Steven M. Smith

Borstal - FAQs

Where can you stream Borstal (2017)?

Borstal (2017) is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video and The Roku Channel. It can also be watched for free with ads on Tubi TV, Fandango at Home Free, and Amazon Prime Video Free with Ads. Rental and purchase options are available through Amazon Video.

Is Borstal based on a true story or book?

Borstal is based on source material involving real elements of the British borstal detention system, which was a form of youth custody used in the United Kingdom. The film draws on the grim realities of institutional life in a rural 1970s borstal setting, lending it an authentic, grounded tone.

Who are the main actors in Borstal?

The film stars Patrick Kilpatrick as Governor Heywood, Matthew Winters as Kris, Jon-Paul Gates as Len Forshaw, Tiffany-Ellen Robinson as Sally Forshaw, Rorie Stockton as JJ, Sonny Denham as Alan Welch, Tony Fadil as Paddy Gibbons, Kevin Horsham as Jim Hunt, and Maria Austin as Moira.

What is Borstal (2017) about?

Borstal follows Kris, a young man sentenced to two years in a rural British borstal — a youth detention institution. The film explores the harsh realities of institutional life, power dynamics, survival, and the personal toll of confinement within the brutal environment of a 1970s correctional facility.

Who directed Borstal (2017)?

Borstal was directed by Steven M. Smith, a British filmmaker who also served as writer, producer, and editor on the project. Smith is known for his work on low-budget British genre films and brings a raw, uncompromising sensibility to this drama set in the UK's youth detention system.

What is the runtime of Borstal (2017)?

Borstal has a runtime of 87 minutes (1 hour and 27 minutes). The film is a compact, focused drama that maintains tension throughout its relatively lean running time, keeping the narrative tight and the atmosphere of institutional confinement consistently present.

What time period is Borstal set in?

Borstal is set in the 1970s, a period when the British borstal system was still in active use as a form of youth custodial punishment. The rural setting and period detail contribute to the film's bleak atmosphere, reflecting the harsh and often brutal conditions that defined these institutions.

What are similar films to Borstal (2017)?

If you enjoyed Borstal, you may also like Dead Man Walking (1995), Pickpocket (1959), and Mutiny in the Big House (1939), all of which explore themes of incarceration and institutional life. The Tin Drum (1979) and The Hours (2002) are also listed among films with thematic or tonal similarities.

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