The Boys (1998)

User Rating:

6.9/10   

Director:

Rowan Woods

Writers:

Gordon Graham (play)
Stephen Sewell (writer)

Release Date:

7 May 1998 (Australia)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Brett Sprague is a violent and psychopathic man, who is released on parole after serving a sentence for assault...

Plot Keywords:

Independent Film | Based On Play

Awards:

10 wins & 16 nominations

Cast

David Wenham	...	Brett Sprague
Toni Collette	...	Michelle
Lynette Curran	...	Sandra Sprague
John Polson	...	Glenn Sprague
Anthony Hayes	...	Stevie Sprague
Jeanette Cronin	...	Jackie
Anna Lise Phillips	...	Nola (as Anna Lise)
Pete Smith	...	George (Abo)
Sal Sharah	...	Nick
Lawrence Woodward	...	Jailer
Peter Hehir	...	Graham Newman
Andrew Heys	...	Sparrow
Teo Gebert	...	Policeman
Anthony Kierann	...	Policeman
Stephen Leeder	...	Commissioner
Veronica Neave	...	Girl
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Michael Ienna	...	Boy

Directed by
Rowan Woods

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Gordon Graham		play
Stephen Sewell		writer

Produced by
Robert Connolly	....	producer
Douglas Cummins	....	executive producer
John Maynard	....	producer
David Wenham	....	associate producer

Original Music by
The Necks

Cinematography by
Tristan Milani

Film Editing by
Nick Meyers

Casting by
Lesley Burgess

Production Design by
Luigi Pittorino

Costume Design by
Annie Marshall

Makeup Department
Margaret Aston	....	assistant hair stylist
Margaret Aston	....	assistant makeup artist
Jan Zeigenbein	....	makeup artist

Production Management
Maurice Burns	....	unit manager
Susan Wells	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Debbie Antoniou	....	second assistant director
Emma Schofield	....	first assistant director

Art Department
Terry Hunt	....	art department assistant
Juliet John	....	assistant art director
Karla Urizar	....	art department assistant

Sound Department
Yulia Akerholt	....	sound editor: atmosphere
Christian Bass	....	adr recordist
Peter Grace	....	sound recordist
Phil Judd	....	sound mixer
Steve Murphy	....	stereo sound consultant: Dolby (as Stephen Murphy)
Sam Petty	....	sound effects editor
Sam Petty	....	sound
Serge Stanley	....	sound assistant
Michael Taylor	....	boom operator
Jenny T. Ward	....	sound editor

Stunts
Greg Blandy	....	stunt detective
Lawrence Woodward	....	stunt coordinator

Camera and Electrical Department
Nick de Laine	....	gaffer
Rachel Fairfax	....	clapper loader
John Tate	....	grip
Lisa Tomasetti	....	still photographer
George Tsoutas	....	key grip

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Wendy Asher	....	costume stand-by

Editorial Department
Kelvin Crumplin	....	color grader
Megan Harding	....	first assistant editor

Other crew
Philippa Bateman	....	project coordinator: Australian Film Commission
Maurice Burns	....	location manager
Sally Chesher	....	production assistant
Kelvin Crumplin	....	laboratory liaison
Louise Gleeson	....	coordinator: Areanafilm
Wil Milne	....	unit assistant
Belinda Mravicic	....	production coordinator
Lawrence Woodward	....	safety officer

Thanks
Andrew Mackie	....	thanks
Marion Pilowsky	....	thanks

Production Companies

• Arenafilm
• Axiom Films
• Globe Films
• New South Wales Film & Television Office
• Premium Movie Partnership (for Showtime)
• SBS Independent
• Screen Partners Ltd.

Distributors

• Roadshow Entertainment (Australia) (theatrical)
• Academy Pictures
• Axiom Films
• Bitters End
• Channel Four Films
• Madman Entertainment (1998) (Australia) (DVD)
• Roadshow Home Video (Australia) (VHS)
• Stratosphere Entertainment (1999) (USA)

Other Companies

• Australian Film Commission, The  funding
• Big Ears Production, Vigil Soundworks  Tracklay
• Chris Rowell Productions Pty. Ltd.  negative cutting
• First Australian Completion Bond Company (FACB)  completion guarantee
• HW Wood Australia  insurance
• Michael Frankel & Company Solicitors  solicitors
• National Film Trustee Company  Collection Services
• PhilmSound  sound mix
• Samuelson Film Service Pty. Ltd.  camera equipment provided by
• Simply Sound  foley and adr facilities
• Springett Optical Services  opticals

MPAA:

Rated R for violence, pervasive language, some sexuality and drug use.

Runtime:

86 min

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

New Zealand:R18 | Australia:MA | UK:18 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Company:

Arenafilm

Goofs:

Continuity: Around 15-20 minutes in, Michelle lights the same cigarette three times in quick succession.

Movie Connections:

References Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)

A brilliant Australian Film

What a Movie...this movie was impacting, and left a sour taste in my mouth. Brett Sprague was an extremely nasty piece of works. David Wenham brought the character of Brett to life so brilliantly. I was in fear of this character, and what was the most frightening aspect was that this character felt real... not a "Freddy Kruger" type of unbelievable scary character, but a TRUE nightmare... there are people like Brett out there in the world, and that was what was so frightening for me. This movie had a tremendous sense of fear and danger throughout. Every performance was outstanding, especially those of David Wenham, Toni Collette and Lynette Curran. The women in the film sensed the imminent danger, but the brothers were just hopelessly and dangerously in awe of their brother, Brett. This is Australian film making at its best, and I would like to commend our film industry with taking risks, and encouraging our artists to continue to make wonderfully original and creative films. Congratulations to all concerned.