Radio Flyer (1992)

User Rating:

6.5/10   

Director:

Richard Donner

Writer (WGA):

David M. Evans (written by)

Release Date:

21 February 1992 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Powered by imagination.

Plot:

A father recounts a dark period of his childhood when he and his little brother lived in the suburbs.

Plot Keywords:

Radio Flyer | Childhood | Physical Abuse | Belt | Wagon

Awards:

1 win & 2 nominations

Cast

Lorraine Bracco	...	Mary
John Heard	...	Daugherty
Adam Baldwin	...	The King
Elijah Wood	...	Mike
Joseph Mazzello	...	Bobby
Ben Johnson	...	Geronimo Bill
Sean Baca	...	Fisher
Robert Munic	...	Older Fisher
Garette Ratliff Henson	...	Chad (as Garette Ratliff)
Thomas Ian Nicholas	...	Ferdie
Noah Verduzco	...	Victor Hernandez
Isaac Ocampo	...	Jorge Hernandez
Kaylan Romero	...	Jesus Hernandez
Abraham Verduzco	...	Carlos Hernandez
T.J. Evans	...	Big Raymond

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for theme (child abuse) and violence.

Runtime:

114 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

UK:12 (re-rating) (2006) (uncut) | UK:12 (uncut) | Iceland:L | Canada:PG (Ontario) | South Korea:All | Argentina:13 | Australia:PG | Chile:14 | Spain:13 | UK:PG (cut) | USA:PG-13

Filming Locations:

Columbia State Historic Park - 22708 Broadway, Columbia, California, USA

Company:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Trivia:

The original script called for more fantasy sequences involving a worm man and zombies. These ideas were scrapped when Richard Donner replaced David M. Evans as the director.

Goofs:

Continuity: When they first arrive to find that Bobby has flown away, the walkie talkie antennae is bent. When they show Mike and his mom it’s straight again.

Quotes:

Older Mike: [When the bullies showed up] We knew we were dead instantly,the way you always know you're in for it when bigger kids show up. It's a sixth sense you never lose.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Lost Kubrick: The Unfinished Films of Stanley Kubrick (2007) (V)

Soundtrack:

The Name Game

classic

In reply to "State of Confusion" The dogs injuries do seem to disappear rather abruptly, but that may have only been an error in continuity. But, as for the kids trying to build a plane out of junk, it's just a simple matter of imagination. These are two very young kids who have extremely active imaginations and they must rely on those imaginations to keep themselves from being exposed to the reality of the level of abuse that goes on in their home from their stepfather. As for the stepfather, it's very interesting that the director chose to no show his face. That makes him seem more monstrous. If you show his face, then that character becomes a person and not just this "monster" who is terrorizing the childhood of these two innocent children. By showing only the concequences of his abuse and not focusing scenes on the abuse itself, the children then become the main focus of the movie. This film has no loose ends, but runs just as a father's tale to his children would. It has embelleshments. This is a fine American classic.