Into the West (1992)

Grandpa Ward gives a horse he found to his grandchildren, who keep it in their tower-block flat in Dublin. The horse is stolen from them, and the two young boys set out to find it and flee ... See full summary »

Director:

Mike Newell

Writers:

Jim Sheridan, David Keating (additional writing),

Stars:

Gabriel Byrne, Ellen Barkin, Ciarán Fitzgerald

5 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Gabriel Byrne	...	Papa Reilly
Ellen Barkin	...	Kathleen
Ciarán Fitzgerald	...	Ossie
Rúaidhrí Conroy	...	Tito (as Ruaidhrí Conroy)
David Kelly	...	Grandfather
Johnny Murphy	...	Tracker
Colm Meaney	...	Barreller
John Kavanagh	...	Hartnett
Brendan Gleeson	...	Inspector Bolger
Jim Norton	...	Superintendant O'Mara
Anita Reeves	...	Mrs. Murphy
Ray McBride	...	Mr. Murphy
Dave Duffy	...	Morrissey
Stuart Dannell-Foran	...	Conor Murphy (as Stuart Dannell)
Becca Hollinshead	...	Birdy Murphy

Storyline

Grandpa Ward gives a horse he found to his grandchildren, who keep it in their tower-block flat in Dublin. The horse is stolen from them, and the two young boys set out to find it and flee on it.

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Plot Keywords:

horse | boy | police | horse breeder | escape | 

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Taglines:

Accused of a crime they didn't commit, two city kids and a magical horse are about to become the coolest outlaws ever to ride Into The West.

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Genres:

Family | Adventure

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for some mild language and violence

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

Ireland UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 September 1993 (USA)

Also Known As:

Das weiße Zauberpferd

Box Office

Gross:

$4,790,801 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Channel Four Films, Little Bird, Majestic Films International

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Ellen Barkin and Gabriel Byrne were married to each other when the film was made.

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Goofs

In several shots of Tito and Ossie riding bareback while the horse is galloping, Ossie is represented by a very floppy dummy that's obviously tied and pinned to the stunt rider playing Tito (01:13:44 to 01:14:51).

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Quotes

[first lines]
Papa Reilly: [to his son] You're not gonna return there again. You have to pretend your name is Murphy. Do you understand that?

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Connections

References Shane (1953)

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Soundtracks

"Someone To Talk To"
by The Devlins

User Reviews

heart-warming mythology

This small-scale film focuses on Gypsy folklore and myth, reincarnation, nature, and childhood.

Early in the film two Irish boys are given a horse by their grandad, which they decide to keep hidden in their tenement flat. Their father is severely depressed after the death of his wife, and lets the boys run riot. When the children (and horse) go on the run, he comes to terms with his travelling past with the Gypsies again and seeks solace in their help, wisdom, and faith.

'Into the West' is a truly remarkable film. The actors playing the children are remarkable (especially Ciaran Fitzgerald as Ossie), while the adult cast are headed by Gabriel Byrne (as the former traveller father) and his then-wife Ellen Barkin (as the mystical gypsy Kathleen). Both are excellent, while the mystical thread of the story - against the odds - remains believable and leaves an ending of optimism and goodwill.

Mike Newell, the director, and Jim Sheridan, the writer, deserve high praise for this movie. I also need to mention the Celtic music which pushes the story along and does much to set the atmosphere. Superb.