Sling Blade (1996)

Karl Childers, a simple man hospitalized since his childhood murder of his mother and her lover, is released to start a new life in a small town.

Director:

Billy Bob Thornton

Writers:

Billy Bob Thornton (play), Billy Bob Thornton (screenplay)

Stars:

Billy Bob Thornton, Dwight Yoakam, J.T. Walsh

Won 1 Oscar. Another 13 wins & 9 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Billy Bob Thornton	...	Karl Childers
Dwight Yoakam	...	Doyle Hargraves
J.T. Walsh	...	Charles Bushman
John Ritter	...	Vaughan Cunningham
Lucas Black	...	Frank Wheatley
Natalie Canerday	...	Linda Wheatley
James Hampton	...	Jerry Woolridge
Robert Duvall	...	Karl's Father
Rick Dial	...	Bill Cox
Brent Briscoe	...	Scooter Hodges
Christine Renee Ward	...	Melinda (as Christy Ward)
Sarah Boss	...	Marsha Dwiggins
Kathy Sue Brown	...	Theresa Evans
Wendell Rafferty	...	Melvin
Bruce Hampton	...	Morris (as Col. Bruce Hampton Ret.)

Storyline

A partially handicapped man named Karl is released from a mental hospital, about 20 years after murdering his mother and another person. Karl is often questioned if he will ever kill again, and he shrugs in response saying there is no reason to. Now out of the mental institution, Karl settles in his old, small hometown, occupying himself by fixing motors. After meeting a young boy named Frank, who befriends him, Karl is invited to stay at Frank's house with his mother Linda, who views Karl as a strange but kind and generous man. However, Linda's abusive boyfriend, Doyle, sees things differently in the way rules ought to be run- normally insulting Linda's homosexual friend Vaughan as well as Karl's disabilities, and having wild parties with his friends. As Karl's relationship with Frank grows, he is watchful of Doyle's cruel actions.

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Plot Keywords:

friend | murder | repair shop | mental institution | small town | 

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Taglines:

A simple man. A difficult choice.

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong language, including descriptions of violent and sexual behavior

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 November 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

Resplandor en la noche

Filming Locations:

Benton, Arkansas, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$890,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$36,644 (USA) (29 November 1996)

Gross:

$24,475,416 (USA) (25 July 1997)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Miramax Films, Shooting Gallery

Technical Specs

Runtime:

135 min 148 min (director's cut)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

According to Billy Bob Thornton, he invented Karl's unique facial expressions and speech patterns, plus ad-libbed the entire "sling blade" speech at the beginning of the film, while looking at himself in a make-up room mirror, waiting to film his scene as a train conductor in The Man Who Broke 1,000 Chains. His scene was later cut from that film.

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Goofs

When Karl is on Jerry's daughter's bed, the stuffed pig changes direction.

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Quotes

Doyle: What'cha doin' with that lawn mower blade Karl?
Karl: I aim to kill you with it.

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Crazy Credits

Special Thanks Emily Gerson Saines

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Connections

Referenced in Crap Shoot: The Documentary (2007)

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Soundtracks

"Shenandoah"
Performed by Emmylou Harris

User Reviews

The one that made Billy.

Thornton plays victim to a cruel society where he is released from a long stint in prison and becomes a guardian angel for a young boy who is abused by his mother's lover. A slow sombre piece that gives you time to enter the mental state of Thornton's character. Once you are in there, you realise the humanity that justifies the end actions. Theatrical in style with powerful performances and a haunting music score.