Ratcatcher (1999)

Director:

Lynne Ramsay

Writer:

Lynne Ramsay (written by)

Release Date:

12 November 1999 (UK)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Glasgow, summer, 1973. Dustmen are striking; bags of garbage add to the blight of council flats and a fetid canal...

Plot Keywords:

Garbage | Strike | Canal | Dance | 1970s

Awards:

11 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

William Eadie	...	James Gillespie
Tommy Flanagan	...	Da
Mandy Matthews	...	Ma
Michelle Stewart	...	Ellen
Lynne Ramsay Jr.	...	Anne Marie (as Lynne Ramsay Jnr.)
Leanne Mullen	...	Margaret Anne
John Miller	...	Kenny
Jackie Quinn	...	Mrs. Quinn
James Ramsay	...	Mr. Quinn
Anne McLean	...	Mrs. Fowler
Craig Bonar	...	Matt Monroe
Andrew McKenna	...	Billy
James Montgomery	...	Hammy
Thomas McTaggart	...	Ryan
Stuart Gordon	...	Tommy

Also Known As:

Ratcatcher (France)

Runtime:

94 min

Country:

UK | France

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Iceland:12 | Netherlands:16 (original DVD/VHS release) | Netherlands:6 | France:U | Germany:12 | Hong Kong:IIB | Norway:15 | Sweden:11 | UK:15 | Argentina:13

Filming Locations:

Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland, UK

Company:

Pathé Pictures International

Trivia:

Although this film is in English, the US release has English subtitles because all the characters speak in a very heavy Scottish accent.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: The film is set in 1975. The Leyland Atlantean bus used throughout, LA1 (FYS998), was withdrawn from service in 1973. It is preserved in the Glasgow Museum of Transport.

Quotes:

Kenny: Goodbye, Snowball!

Movie Connections:

References Badlands (1973)

Soundtrack:

Gassenhauer

my favourite film

this is my favourite film. it was like watching a mirror of what being a kid was all about, which i guess makes it harder for those with a carefree childhood to identify. i loved ramsay's ability to create intense and harsh situations without slipping into the provocative manipulation that is characteristic of many similar child starring films (think harmony korine). the characters are subtly built through their actions and their treatment is compassionate - this could have easily turned into one of those films lacking a single likable character, but instead the amoral approach shows off their beauty and humanity through their flaws. the cinematography is easily one of the best i've seen and its tones perfectly serve the substance, merging the poetic and stark realism. the actors and non-actors can hardly be distinguished from each other, it's the type of film where everyone just seem to be themselves, and lynne ramsay is truly a master of releasing the most meaningful expressions from her actors.

the ending as someone else mentioned can be taken both realistically or symbolically, but the scene resolves james's guilt whichever way you take it.

this film is not an easy watch and one should be prepared for an intense emotional experience or else it could get intolerable.