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Borstal is a 2017 British independent drama film directed by Steven M. Smith. The movie tells the story of Kris Grey (Matthew Winters), a young man from a troubled background who ends up in a brutal juvenile prison known as a "borstal" after committing a crime. There, he must confront his demons and confront the harsh reality of life behind bars.

The film begins with Kris, a troubled teenager who is caught stealing cars and sent to the borstal. Once there, he is introduced to a group of fellow prisoners who have been hardened by their time in the institution. Kris quickly learns that survival in this unforgiving environment means adhering to a strict code of conduct.

As the movie progresses, Kris forms a bond with fellow prisoner Davey (Tony Fadil), who becomes his mentor and guide. Davey shows Kris how to navigate the complex social hierarchy of the borstal and teaches him valuable life skills such as how to fight, how to stay out of trouble, and how to make allies.

However, not everyone in the borstal is as benevolent as Davey. Kris must also contend with the brutal and sadistic Wing Commander Williams (Patrick Kilpatrick), who runs the institution with an iron fist. Williams takes pleasure in tormenting the prisoners under his care, subjecting them to horrific punishments and humiliating them at every opportunity.

Despite the harsh conditions, Kris begins to make progress towards rehabilitation during his time in the borstal. He learns to control his anger and develop a sense of self-discipline, which earns him respect from his fellow prisoners. However, Kris soon discovers that life in the borstal is far from fair, and that his past mistakes may come back to haunt him.

Borstal is a gritty and realistic portrayal of prison life in the United Kingdom in the 1970s. The film shines a light on the brutal and inhumane conditions that were prevalent in juvenile institutions at the time, and the way in which they failed to rehabilitate young offenders. Despite the grim subject matter, the film is not without moments of hope and redemption, showing that even in the darkest of places, there is always a glimmer of light.

The acting in Borstal is uniformly excellent, with Matthew Winters turning in a standout performance as Kris. The actor manages to convey the character's complex emotions and internal struggles with authenticity and nuance, making him a believable and sympathetic protagonist. Tony Fadil and Patrick Kilpatrick also do an excellent job in their respective roles, bringing depth and humanity to characters that could have easily been one-dimensional.

Overall, Borstal is an engaging and thought-provoking drama that deals with important themes of justice, redemption, and the power of forgiveness. The movie is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of hope, even in the bleakest of circumstances. Anyone who is a fan of gritty, character-driven dramas will find much to enjoy in this film.

Borstal is a 2017 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 27 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 3.8.