December Boys (2007)

One summer, four orphans boys who have grown to be the closest of friends find themselves competing for the attention of the same family.

Director:

Rod Hardy

Writers:

Ronald Kinnoch (story), Michael Noonan (novel),

Stars:

Daniel Radcliffe, Lee Cormie, Christian Byers

2 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Daniel Radcliffe	...	Maps
Lee Cormie	...	Misty
Christian Byers	...	Sparks
James Fraser	...	Spit
Jack Thompson	...	Bandy
Teresa Palmer	...	Lucy
Sullivan Stapleton	...	Fearless
Victoria Hill	...	Teresa
Max Cullen	...	Narrator / Adult Misty
Kris McQuade	...	Mrs. McAnsh
Ralph Cotterill	...	Shellback
Frank Gallacher	...	Father Scully
Paul Blackwell	...	Watson
Judi Farr	...	Reverend Mother
Carmel Johnson	...	Sister Beatrice

Storyline

The film is based on Michael Noonan's novel and focuses on four orphans who leave their orphanage for a holiday by the sea. A rumor about two of the seaside residents possibly adopting one of the orphans causes tension to rise among the orphans. .

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Plot Keywords:

boy | orphan | holiday | orphanage | seaside | 

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Taglines:

After that summer nothing would ever be the same again.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for sexual content, nudity, underage drinking and smoking

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [us]

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 September 2007 (Australia)

Also Known As:

Un verano para toda la vida

Filming Locations:

Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Box Office

Budget:

$4,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$15,810 (USA) (14 September 2007)

Gross:

$46,474 (USA) (28 September 2007)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Australian Film Finance Corporation (AFFC), Becker Group, Best FX (Boom Sound)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The birthmark on the lower left side of Maps' chest can be seen (at around 15 mins). It is described as "shaped like Tasmania" (at around 20 mins).

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Goofs

In the feature, the boy portrayed by Christian Byers is sometimes called "Spark" (07:09 by Reverend Mother, 05:20 by adult Misty, 15:55 and 20:33 by Spit) and sometimes called "Sparks" (03:33 by Maps, 19:51 by Misty), with the DVD captions spelling it however the actors say it. At 09:05, where their nicknames have been scrawled in dust on the tailgate of the vehicle, it is spelled "Spark". In the End Credits (01:41:18 to 01:41:25), it is spelled "Sparks". In the novel 'December Boys' on which the screenplay is based, one of five "December Boys" is named "Spark".

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Quotes

Maps: Just remember Misty, no matter what, you're still a December boy.

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Connections

Featured in 20 to 1: Child Stars: Where Are They Now? (2008)

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Soundtracks

"Have You Ever Seen The Rain"
Creedence Clearwater Revival

User Reviews

Dreaming of a dream

A great movie indeed with all that a good movie needs: love, drama, realistic characters, joy, sadness and all the other things that a human being might feel nostalgic about at a certain moment.

The orphans change the cove and cove changes them forever and, if you let it, their story might change you as well.

The emotional charge simply grows bigger and bigger from the beginning of the movie towards the end thus providing with a finale of biblical proportions (emotionally speaking).

Although in the beginning it might not seem like much this is, in my opinion, a movie that will not leave you unchanged and give you a new perspective as to what your dreams are and/or ought to be.