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The Young Poisoner's Handbook (1995)

R  99 min  -  Crime | Drama   -  23 February 1996 (USA)
7.0
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Ratings: 7.0/10 from 2,233 users  
Reviews: 25 user | 28 critic

This film is based on a true story about a British teenager who allegedly poisoned family, friends, and co-workers... See full summary »

Director:

Benjamin Ross
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1 nomination See more awards »
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tobias Arnold Tobias Arnold ...
Young Graham
Ruth Sheen ...
Molly
Roger Lloyd-Pack Roger Lloyd-Pack ...
Fred (as Roger Lloyd Pack)
Hugh O'Conor ...
Graham Young
Norman Caro Norman Caro ...
Mr. Goez
Dorothea Alexander Dorothea Alexander ...
Mrs. Goez
Charlotte Coleman Charlotte Coleman ...
Winnie
Paul Stacey Paul Stacey ...
Dennis
Samantha Edmonds Samantha Edmonds ...
Sue
Robert Demeger Robert Demeger ...
Mr. Dexter
Jack Deam Jack Deam ...
Mick
Peter Pacey Peter Pacey ...
Dickie Boone
Joost Siedhoff Joost Siedhoff ...
Dr. Scott
Vilma Hollingbery Vilma Hollingbery ...
Aunty Panty
Frank Mills Frank Mills ...
Uncle Jack
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Storyline

This film is based on a true story about a British teenager who allegedly poisoned family, friends, and co-workers. Graham is highly intelligent, but completely amoral. He becomes interested in science, especially chemistry, and begins to read avidly. Something of a social misfit, he is fascinated by morbid subjects such as poisons and murder. His family environment is intolerable to him and, in particular, his stepmother torments him. He decides to poison those who annoy him, first with antimony and later with thallium. He smugly thinks himself cleverer than all those around him, but nevertheless he is caught and sentenced to 'rehabilitation' at a psychiatric institution. Once there, he undertakes to deceive the new eminent psychiatrist sent there to 'cure' him, thereby securing his release. Written by Tad Dibbern <DIBBERN_D@a1.mscf.upenn.edu>  

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

Poison | Psychiatrist | Head In Toilet | 1960s | Black Comedy  | See more »

Taglines:

He gave his life to his research, so did his family. See more »

Genres:

Crime | Drama

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for murders by poisoning, language and some nude photos See all certifications »
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Details

Country:

UK | Germany | France

Language:

English

Release Date:

(USA) See more »

Also Known As:

Das Handbuch des jungen Giftmischers See more »

Box Office

Gross:

$749,812 (USA)
See more »

Company Credits

Show detailed company contact information on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The "Newton's Diamond" that Graham is obsessed with is a fictional device. Antimony sulfide forms a crystal called stibnite which is gray and opaque, not clear and colorless like most gem-quality diamonds. "Diamond" was the name of Isaac Newton's dog. See more »

Goofs

Factual errors: When Dr. Zeigler visits the institution for mentally unstable criminals in which Graham is hospitalized, the director of the institution says, referred to another patient: "Vulpes pilum mutat, non mores", saying it means "The leopard never changes his spots". Graham corrects him, saying it means instead: "The wolf changes its fur, but not its nature". Actually, "vulpes" means "fox". See more »

Quotes

Molly: You contaminate everything you touch. I'm going to scrub you till you are raw.
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Connections

References A Clockwork Orange (1971) See more »

Soundtracks

"Peanut Butter"
Performed by The Big Three See more »