IMDb > A History of Violence (2005)
A History of Violence
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A History of Violence (2005) More at IMDbPro »

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A History of Violence -- A mild-mannered man becomes a local hero through an act of violence, which sets off repercussions that will shake his family to its very core.
A History of Violence -- Clip: Witness Protection
A History of Violence -- A mild-mannered man becomes a local hero through an act of violence, which sets off repercussions that will shake his family to its very core.
A History of Violence -- Clip: Who's Joey

Overview

User Rating:
7.5/10   136,478 votes »
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Down 1% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
David Cronenberg
Writers (WGA):
John Wagner (graphic novel) and
Vince Locke (graphic novel) ...
(more)
Contact:
View company contact information for A History of Violence on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
30 September 2005 (USA) See more »
Genre:
Crime | Drama | Thriller See more »
Tagline:
Everyone has something to hide. See more »
Plot:
A mild-mannered man becomes a local hero through an act of violence, which sets off repercussions that will shake his family to its very core. Full summary » | Full synopsis »
Plot Keywords:
See more »
Awards:
Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 35 wins & 34 nominations See more »
NewsDesk:
(840 articles)
Friday (neo)Noir: ‘A History of Violence’ marks Cronenberg’s stunning venture into high minded drama
 (From SoundOnSight. 24 May 2013, 3:58 PM, PDT)
On The Road Available Online and New Stewart/Hedlund Featurette
 (From Alt Film Guide. 22 May 2013, 6:18 PM, PDT)
The 10 All-Time Sexiest Movie MILFs
 (From NextMovie. 9 May 2013, 7:00 AM, PDT)
User Reviews:
A Season In Hell See more (1092 total) »

Cast

  (in credits order) (complete, awaiting verification)

Viggo Mortensen ... Tom Stall

Maria Bello ... Edie Stall

Ed Harris ... Carl Fogarty

William Hurt ... Richie Cusack

Ashton Holmes ... Jack Stall

Peter MacNeill ... Sheriff Sam Carney

Stephen McHattie ... Leland

Greg Bryk ... Billy

Kyle Schmid ... Bobby Singer

Sumela Kay ... Judy Danvers
Gerry Quigley ... Mick
Deborah Drakeford ... Charlotte

Heidi Hayes ... Sarah Stall

Aidan Devine ... Charlie Roarke
Bill MacDonald ... Frank Mulligan
Michelle McCree ... Jenny Wyeth
Ian Matthews ... Ruben
R.D. Reid ... Pat

Morgan Kelly ... Bobby's Buddy
Martha Reilly ... Shoe Saleswoman

Jason Barbeck ... Richie's Thug
Bruce Beaton ... Richie's Thug
Neven Pajkic ... Richie's Thug
Brendan Connor ... Local TV Reporter
Nick Antonacci ... Local TV Reporter
John Watson ... Baseball Coach
Don Allison ... TV Broadcaster
Brittany Payer ... Motel Girl
Mitch Boughs ... Kid in Diner

April Mullen ... Kid in Diner
George King ... Hospital Well-Wisher
Shawn Campbell ... Orderly
rest of cast listed alphabetically:

Steve Arbuckle ... Jared (uncredited)

Connor Price ... Kid (uncredited)
Evan Rose ... 'Hulk' Boy (uncredited)
Michael Stevens ... Guy on the Street (uncredited)
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Directed by
David Cronenberg 
 
Writing credits
(WGA)
John Wagner (graphic novel) and
Vince Locke (graphic novel)

Josh Olson (screenplay)

Produced by
Kent Alterman .... executive producer
Chris Bender .... producer
Cale Boyter .... executive producer
Josh Braun .... executive producer
Toby Emmerich .... executive producer
Justis Greene .... executive producer
Roger Kass .... executive producer (as Roger E. Kass)
J.C. Spink .... producer
Jake Weiner .... co-producer
 
Original Music by
Howard Shore 
 
Cinematography by
Peter Suschitzky (director of photography)
 
Film Editing by
Ronald Sanders 
 
Casting by
Deirdre Bowen 
 
Production Design by
Carol Spier 
 
Art Direction by
James McAteer 
 
Set Decoration by
Peter P. Nicolakakos 
 
Costume Design by
Denise Cronenberg 
 
Makeup Department
Patrick Baxter .... prosthetic lab technician
Stephan Dupuis .... makeup supervisor (as Stéphan Dupuis)
Mary-Lou Green-Benvenuti .... key hair stylist (as Mary Lou Green-Benvenuti)
Christopher Pizzarelli .... key makeup artist
Divyo Rae Putney .... assistant hair stylist (as Divyo Putney)
Dorota Zajac .... assistant makeup artist
Sean Sansom .... special makeup effects lab technician (uncredited)
 
Production Management
Jack Deutchman .... post-production manager
Erik Holmberg .... executive in charge of production
Jody Levin .... executive in charge of post-production
Heather Meehan .... unit production manager
Lori A. Waters .... post-production supervisor (as Lori Waters)
 
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Tyler Delben .... third assistant director
Aric Dupere .... trainee assistant director
Walter Gasparovic .... first assistant director
Elizabeth Parker .... trainee assistant director (as Elizabeth S.D. 'Duff' Parker)
Jodi A. Tario .... assistant director
Bob Warwick .... second assistant director (as Robert Warwick)
 
Art Department
John Bannister .... key scenic painter
Deryck Blake .... property master
Daniel William Brown .... carpenter (as Daniel Brown)
Michael Bunt .... carpenter
Malcolm Byard .... lead dresser
Tom S. Campbell .... lead painter (as Tim S. Campbell)
Anthony Codd .... carpenter
James Coppella .... painter
Janet Cormack .... scenic assistant (as Janet L. Cormack)
Neil Crawford .... construction laborer
Joe Curtin .... construction coordinator
Greg DaPrato .... set dresser (as Greg Daprato)
Paul Dzatko .... carpenter
Danielle Fleury .... assistant set decorator
John Flynn .... painter
Brad Francis .... painter
Luke Gibson .... assistant lead painter
Kevin Haeberlin .... lead dresser
J. Ryan Halpenny .... second assistant art director
Scott Howes .... construction laborer
Henry Ilola .... carpenter
Paul Jefferson .... head carpenter
Norman Kelner .... painter
Itsuko Kurono .... art department apprentice
Gordon Lebredt .... set designer
Brian Lumley .... carpenter
Rick Marshall .... carpenter
Charles McGlynn .... assistant property master
Richard McStay .... assistant head carpenter
Michael J. Meade .... property buyer
Jae Pak .... first assistant art director
Thomas Pearce .... second assistant head carpenter
Greg Pelchat .... on-set dresser
Jim Peters .... key greensman
Dusty Reeves .... art department coordinator
Myles Roth .... carpenter
Ken Samaroo .... on-set painter (as Kenneth Samaroo)
Sam Santoro .... key laborer
Werner Schlatter .... painter
Tom Sheehan .... carpenter
Robert S. Smith .... on-set carpenter
Robert H. Steiner .... construction auditor
Derek Stephenson .... painter
Michael Vanderteems .... on-set greens (as Mike Vanderteems)
Gordon White .... set designer
Walter Woloschuk .... lead greensman
John Fraser .... studio backing designer and artist (uncredited)
Matthew Richard Harris .... graphic designer (uncredited)
 
Sound Department
Christian T. Cooke .... sound re-recording mixer (as Christian Cooke)
Glen Gauthier .... sound mixer
Jamie Gould .... sound re-recording assistant
Alastair Gray .... dialogue editor
Wayne Griffin .... supervising sound editor
Matthew Hussey .... first assistant sound editor
Goro Koyama .... foley artist
Andy Malcolm .... foley artist
Anna Malkin .... foley recording assistant
Matthew McKenzie .... adr mixer
Colin McLellan .... adr mixer
Chris Navarro .... adr recordist
Michael O'Farrell .... supervising sound editor
Moshe Saadon .... boom operator
Orest Sushko .... sound re-recording mixer
Steve Switzer .... boom operator
Eric Thompson .... adr mixer
Clive Turner .... sound effects editor
Don White .... foley recording mixer
David Yonson .... adr mixer
Mark Zsifkovits .... sound re-recording mixer
Gren-Erich Zwicker .... first assistant sound editor
Rob Bertola .... sound editor (uncredited)
 
Special Effects by
Daniel Gibson .... special effects set foreman
Gary Kleinsteuber .... special effects rigging foreman
Peter Sissakis .... special effects technician
Neil Trifunovich .... special effects supervisor
Jonathan Gording .... special effects contact lenses (uncredited)
 
Visual Effects by
Barb Benoit .... digital compositor
Dennis Berardi .... visual effects supervisor: Mr. X Inc.
Shawney Cohen .... 3D animator (as Sean Cohen)
Rob Del Ciancio .... digital compositor
Bonnie Dickson .... compositing assistant
Mike Diltz .... tape operator
Michael Eaves .... digital intermediate color timer: EFilm
David Fix .... senior systems administrator: Mr. X Inc
Genevieve Forte .... digital artist
Jason Giberson .... film scanning and recording
Chris Jensen .... digital colorist assist
Jef Lonn .... digital compositor
Sarah McMurdo .... visual effects production manager
Lauren Ritchie .... executive in charge of visual effects
Chris Ross .... digital effects scanning
David Singer .... operations manager: Mr. X Inc.
Mark Stepanek .... 3D animator
Aaron Weintraub .... visual effects supervisor
Fiona Campbell Westgate .... visual effects producer: Mr. X Inc.
Thomas Mathai .... data manager (uncredited)
Darcy Reno .... senior systems administrator (uncredited)
Michael Stewart .... digital compositor: Mr. X Inc. (uncredited)
Mark Tureski .... scanning recording (uncredited)
 
Stunts
Chad Camilleri .... stunts (as Chad Camelleri)
Christopher McGuire .... stunts (as Chris McGuire)
Duncan McLeod .... stunt double: William Hurt
Robert C. Shannon .... water safety coordinator
John Stoneham Jr. .... fight coordinator
John Stoneham Jr. .... stunt coordinator
Bryan Thomas .... stunts
Dave Van Zeyl .... stunts
John MacDonald .... stunts (uncredited)
Bryan Thomas .... stunt double (uncredited)
 
Camera and Electrical Department
Kevin Alanthwaite .... electrician
Scotty Allan .... chief lighting technician
Allan Angus .... generator operator
Pierre Berube .... best boy rigging electric
Zena Bielewicz .... camera loader
Jonathan Billings .... rigging grip (as Jon Billings)
Sam Bojin .... best boy electric (as Samuel Bojin)
Russel Bowie .... first assistant camera: "a" camera
Bernie Branston .... electrician
Carlo Campana .... grip
Alex Dawes .... rigging electric
Tony Eldridge .... electrician
Candide Franklyn .... Steadicam operator
Candide Franklyn .... camera operator: "b" camera
Robert Johnson .... key grip
James Kohne .... grip
Mark Lewandowski .... video playback operator
Anthony Nocera .... digital video assist operator
Marc Purdy .... best boy grip
Takashi Seida .... still photographer
Peter Suschitzky .... camera operator: "a" camera
Frank Teunissen .... best boy rigging grip
Jordon Toms .... dolly grip (as Jordan Toms)
Marko Willis .... grip
Jaclyn Young .... second assistant camera: "a" camera
Mike Harwood .... electrician (uncredited)
Ronald Schlueter .... video assistant: splinter unit (uncredited)
 
Casting Department
Mark Bennett .... casting: USA
Luisa Cabbidu .... extras casting coordinator (as Luisa Cabiddu)
Zameret Kleiman .... extras casting
Christopher Richards .... casting assistant
Millie Tom .... casting assistant
 
Costume and Wardrobe Department
Ciara Brennan .... set costumer
Matthew Campbell .... costume truck supervisor
Patricia Cowmeadow .... set costume supervisor (as Tisha Cowmeadow)
Natalie Bronfman .... assistant costume designer (uncredited)
 
Editorial Department
Michael Eaves .... digital intermediate color timer (as Mike Eaves)
Bob Fernley .... digital intermediate supervisor
Aaron Marshall .... first assistant editor: film
Ricardo Olivero .... lab color timer
Sandy Pereira .... second assistant film editor (as Sandy M. Pereira)
Martha Pike .... digital intermediate editor
Catherine Rankin .... negative cutter
Emma Sanders .... post-production coordinator
Tad Seaborn .... first assistant editor: avid
 
Music Department
Paul Broucek .... executive in charge of music: New Line
Jim Bruening .... score coordinator
Peter Cobbin .... score mixer
Elizabeth Cotnoir .... music production manager
Jennifer L. Dunnington .... music editor (as Jennifer Dunnington)
Karen Elliott .... music supervisor
Vic Fraser .... music preparation
Alan Frey .... music production coordinator
Isobel Griffiths .... music contractor
Robin Joseph .... music clearances
John Kurlander .... score recordist
Greg Laporta .... electronic music programmer
Jonathan Schultz .... score editor
Howard Shore .... conductor
Howard Shore .... orchestrator
Lori Silfen .... music business affairs executive
Tim Stritmater .... score technical engineer
Giancarlo Vulcano .... music copyist
Jonathan Williams .... musician: cello
Mark Willsher .... score editor
Paul Kegg .... musician: cello (uncredited)
Jesse Pynigar .... music preparation (uncredited)
Toby Wood .... assistant scoring engineer (uncredited)
 
Transportation Department
Ken Barbet .... transportation captain
John Coles .... driver
Wally Dibacco .... driver (as Walter L. Dibacco)
Lorne Frederick .... driver
Michael Gabourie .... driver
Ray Gabourie .... driver: Ed Harris & William Hurt
Ron Hines .... driver
Glenn Hughes .... picture vehicle captain
Michael K. Jones .... driver: Maria Bello
Lenita Karhunen .... transportation office administrator
Samarroo Llalchan .... driver (as Lalchan Samaroo)
Hugh McCallum .... driver: Viggo Mortensen
Stuart Mitchell .... transportation captain
Don Morley .... driver
Kevin Murphy .... driver (as Kevin L. Murphy)
Frank Norris .... driver
Thomas Osmond .... driver
Bruce Raymer .... driver
Dave Staples .... transportation coordinator (as David Staples)
William L. Tataryn .... directors driver: Peter Suschitzky
Maurice Tremblay .... driver
Ian C. Harris .... daily driver (uncredited)
 
Other crew
Amanda Alden .... assistant production coordinator
Lynell Bangs .... production accountant
Cassandra Barbour .... rights and clearances
Debra Beers .... location manager
Jeff Behlendorf .... post-production accountant
John 'Frenchie' Berger .... gun wrangler (as Frenchie Berger)
Darren J. Biro .... location production assistant
Jim Bruening .... picture analysis
Milan Chakraborty .... production auditor
Rick Coffee .... first assistant accountant: US
Chris Cozens .... auricle operator
Fernando DaSilva .... assistant location manager
Jon Davidson .... production controller
William Dobson .... set medic
Prudence Emery .... unit publicist
Neal Flaherty .... assistant: Mr. Bender
Samuel V. Franco .... radio programmer and spots
Robin Greavette .... assistant location manager
Elspeth Haughton .... production coordinator
Elaine Hughes .... assistant craft service
Ryan Hupponen .... production office assistant
Pino Insegno .... voice dubbing: Viggo Mortensen
Ryan Keaveney .... production office assistant
Alex Kontsalakis .... payroll accountant
Andrew Matthews .... executive in charge of film investment
Jason McLean .... stand-in
Rafal Mickiewicz .... stand-in
Louise Muskala .... assistant: Mr. Greene
John Nelles .... dialogue coach (as John E. Nelles)
Kyle O'Connor .... location production assistant
Andre Paquin .... second assistant accountant (as André Paquin)
Julie Paquin .... first assistant accountant (as Julie C. Paquin)
Paul Prokop .... executive in charge of finance
Joshua Ravetch .... production resources
Jennifer Ricci .... stand-in (as Jen Ricci)
Carolyn Rohaly .... assistant: Mr. Cronenberg
Dug Rotstein .... script supervisor
Laura Sevier .... rights and clearances
Steve Sheridan .... trainee assistant accountant
Eric Sherping .... assistant craft service
Claire Smith .... production secretary
Joe Steele .... production resources
Warner Strauss .... assistant location manager
Tim Stritmater .... technical engineer
Dave Tommasini .... helicopter pilot (as David Tommasini)
Debra Weyman .... studio teacher
Josh Wood .... production executive
Stephanie Lee Berger .... weapons handler (uncredited)
Rich Bokides .... film runner (uncredited)
Tony Castillo .... on-set caterer (uncredited)
Patricia Cowmeadow .... set supervisor (uncredited)
Wendolyn Deal .... assistant: William Hurt (uncredited)
Wendolyn Deal .... production assistant (uncredited)
Leon Dudevoir .... production executive (uncredited)
John Furniotis .... title designer (uncredited)
Pamela Hackwell .... contact lens technician (uncredited)
R. Emerson John .... replacement script supervisor (uncredited)
Brad Ling .... on-set caterer (uncredited)
John Rakich .... production assistant: Millbrook (uncredited)
K.D. Smith .... post-production accounting assistant (uncredited)
 

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Additional Details

Also Known As:
See more »
MPAA:
Rated R for strong brutal violence, graphic sexuality, nudity, language and some drug use
Parents Guide:
View content advisory for parents
Runtime:
96 min
Country:
USA | Germany
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 See more »
Sound Mix:
DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS
Certification:
UK:18 | Ireland:18 | Norway:18 | Finland:K-15 | Canada:16+ (Quebec) | Canada:18A (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Ontario) | Philippines:R-13 (cut) | Australia:MA | Singapore:R21 | Switzerland:16 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:16 (canton of Vaud) | Netherlands:16 | Argentina:16 | France:-12 | South Korea:18 | Spain:18 | Hong Kong:III | Japan:R-15 | Indonesia:Dewasa | Czech Republic:15 | Mexico:C | Brazil:18 | Sweden:15 | Australia:R (original rating) | New Zealand:R18 | Malaysia:(Banned) | Portugal:M/16 | Iceland:16 | Germany:18 (bw) | Italy:T | USA:R (certificate #41604) | Israel:16 | Peru:18
Filming Locations:
King City, Ontario, CanadaSee more »
Company:
New Line CinemaSee more »

Did You Know?

Trivia:
Viggo Mortensen bought many props for the Diner and the Stall home from his trip in the American Mid West. This helped him get deeper into his character.See more »
Goofs:
Crew or equipment visible: Although quite out of focus and in the distance, two police cruisers can easily be seen blocking traffic with their overhead lights on as Tom is driving towards Philly.See more »
Quotes:
[first lines]
William Orser:So we keep headin' east?
Leland Jones:Yeah, that's the idea.
William Orser:Stay out of the big cities?
Leland Jones:Uh-huh.
See more »
Movie Connections:
References Dirty Harry (1971)See more »
Soundtrack:
Club Hoppin'See more »

FAQ

Is 'A History of Violence' based on a book?
What's the deal with the second sex scene? It seemed random and out of place.
What's the significance of the ending?
See more »

User Reviews

   (Review this title)
155 out of 258 people found the following review useful.
A Season In Hell, 25 November 2005
Author: arichmondfwc from United States

Yes, it made me think that if Jean Arthur Rimbaud had been a man of our times he could have been the one behind this film. Optimism through pessimism. The light of darkness. A contradiction that makes sense, that rings true. A mesmerizing film with a spectacular Viggo Mortensen. The truth is there for us to see it, the truth is going to be told but the truth has the flavor of a fantasy. It is the adopted life the invented one that is real. We're invited into this simple but startling reality guided by the masterful hand of David Cronenberg. The casting is a stroke of genius. Viggo Mortensen has the presence of an icon and yet he can disappear be invisible in the most magnetic way. Maria Bello, for me, a stunning surprise. I didn't know (I still don't) her work, I only remembered her name because she has an unforgettable name. But here she proves she's an actress of enormous emotional/dramatic resources. 2005 is not quite over yet but I bet "A History of Violence" will be among the two or three best films I've seen all year

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