BRITISH KITCHEN SINK SOCIAL DRAMA 'THE WIND OF CHANGE'

Johnny Briggs YEAR of 1961 Rates: ***

Not only is this racially-charged/socially conscious film a prime example of "Kitchen Sink Dramas" from the early-to-mid 1960's England, but the rebellious main character literally washes blood off his hands in one: From an attacked "Coloured  Boy" his sister Ann Lynn's dating in a stage-like story mostly taking place in a quaint family home, where passive patriarch Donald Pleasence spends more time with his pet rabbits than teenagers: Especially square-jawed, no-good son Johnny Briggs, who doesn't need nor care for the old man anyhow...

As a venom-spouting racist, the future CORONATION STREET soap actor is fitfully intense and edgy in the role...

When not at home he's hanging at the local soda shop where one buddy (David Hemmings) brings a guitar and another (Norman Gunn) sings... All to the chagrin of moody ingenue Angela Douglas while the suspense occurs back home, when — as the token pressing cop presses in — dad must choose whether to tell the truth or join frantic wife Hilda Fenemore's cover-up of her son's gang's attack/murder of the black youth... making THE WIND OF CHANGE, despite its bland, common title, far less breezy than the performances leading up to what really matters: And not without bizarre and ambiguous loose ends, like Lynn's "sensitive" perfect boyfriend being a cheater, and the idealistic dad's sole black rabbit with the name of... the N-word.

Angela Douglas and Topsy Jane in The Winds of Change

Norman Gunn and David Hemmings in THE WIND OF CHANGE

Norman Gunn and Johnny Briggs in THE WIND OF CHANGE

Angela Douglas and Antonita Dias in THE WIND OF CHANGE

David Hemmings, Norman Gunn & Johnny Briggs in THE WIND OF CHANGE

Edna Doré (from Jungle Street) and Hilda Fenemore in THE WIND OF CHANGE

Johnny Briggs in THE WIND OF CHANGE

Ann Lynn in THE WIND OF CHANGE

Johnny Briggs in the kitchen sink drama of THE WIND OF CHANGE

A rather attractive Hilda Fenemore as mother in THE WIND OF CHANGE

Johnny Briggs in THE WIND OF CHANGE

Johnny Briggs in THE WIND OF CHANGE

Donald Pleasence pets his black rabbit "N-word" in THE WIND OF CHANGE

Angela Douglas with "Long Distance Runner" TOPSY JANE in The Winds of Change

Angela Douglas and Johnny Briggs in THE WIND OF CHANGE

David Hemmings in THE WIND OF CHANGE