Bronco Bullfrog

Wednesday 27 August 2008

Venue:
Rochester Independent College's Gainsborough Conference Centre, 254 St Margarets Bank, High Street, Rochester, Kent, ME1 1HY. Opposite Rochester Train Station (see map)

Synopsis

Del Quant is a 17-year-old welder's apprentice who lives in London's East End. He and his friends have little money, nothing to do and nowhere to go. They get their kicks robbing from the local café, bragging of their friend 'Bronco Bullfrog' who is on the run from Borstal, dreaming of girls and criminal adventures which are unlikely ever to be. One day Del achieves a degree of independence when his father wins a newspaper competition and gives his son the money he needs to buy a bike.

Del meets Irene Richardson, a 15-year-old schoolgirl whose father is in prison for armed robbery and whose mother is determined that she will rise above her surroundings. Del's father matches Mrs. Richardson's disapproving attitude and the young couple's awkward relationship is everywhere met with hostility.

After helping Bronco rob a railway truck, and being paid cash, Del decides to run away with Irene on his motorbike. Heading for the country, they go to Del's uncle but are unable even to ask about the 'farm job' that they dreamed might await them there.

They confirm to the uncle that they are going back home and to Del's apprenticeship but head instead for Bronco's flat to take refuge in his loot-cluttered rooms. Irene's mother has alerted the police to her under-age daughter's flight and the couple are soon tracked down by the enthusiastic Sgt. Johnson. Del and Bronco knock him down and take off with Irene but the exuberance of flight is short lived.

The young lovers were not looking for a life of crime and feel uncertainly that they should return home before things get worse. Bronco, unable to face a return to jail, has no alternative but to keep on running and leaves them to their fate.

Links:

Internet Movie Database on Bronco Bullfrog

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