Lamb (1985)

An Irish reform school priest questions his calling as a young, epileptic runaway arrives. Each recognizes the other as kindred spirits and escape together. As police close in and money dwindles, the desperate priest makes bad decisions.

Director:

Colin Gregg

Writers:

Bernard MacLaverty (novel), Bernard MacLaverty (screenplay)

Stars:

Liam Neeson, Harry Towb, Hugh O'Conor

2 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Liam Neeson	...	Michael Lamb
Harry Towb	...	Priest
Hugh O'Conor	...	Owen Kane
Frances Tomelty	...	Mrs. Kane
Ian Bannen	...	Brother Benedict
Ronan Wilmot	...	Brother Fintan
Denis Carey	...	Mr. Lamb
Eileen Kennally	...	Neighbour Woman
David Gorry	...	O'Donnell
Andrew Pickering	...	Murphy
Stuart O'Connor	...	O'Holloran
Ian McElhinney	...	Maguire
Bernadette McKenna	...	Jeweller's Assistant
Jessica Saunders	...	Bank Teller on Boat
Robert Hamilton	...	Stranger at Holyhead

Storyline

"Lamb" focuses on the relationship between Brother Michael Lamb (Liam Neeson), a teacher in a Roman Catholic-run institution for troubled boys in Ireland, and 10-year-old Owen Kane (Hugh O'Conor), the school's most unruly pupil. Dumped into the institution by his abusive mother, Owen is an incorrigible mess who smokes cigarettes, curses, wets his bed, picks fights and has epileptic seizures.

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Plot Keywords:

dublin ireland | teacher student relationship | surrogate father | seizure | reference to icarus | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Did You Know?

Trivia

Liam Neeson, who plays Michael Lamb in the film, later portrayed a character with the same last name called Dr. Fergus Lamb in Ruby Cairo (1992).

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Connections

Referenced in Wogan: Episode #10.87 (1990)

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Soundtracks

I Luvs Yer
(uncredited)
Written by Simon Park and Gordon Chambers
De Wolfe Music Ltd

User Reviews

Before "Schindler's List" And "Taken", Liam Neeson Was A Young Priest In "Lamb"

Before Liam Neeson gained international prominence as an actor as Oskar Schindler in the Holocaust classic "Schindler's List" and a late-career action hero as Bryan Mills in the "Taken" trilogy, he starred in this 1985 Irish film directed by Colin Gregg in "Lamb". Hugh O' Connor co-stars.

This film adapted by Bernard MacLaverty from his novel of the same title tells that story of a young priest Brother Sebastian,whose real name is Michael Lamb, works in a Catholic reform institution for young boys. Over there,he gets in touch with a young 10-year-old bully Owen Kane,who also happens to be an epileptic. Things begin to change that Michael decided to leave the Catholic institution and take the young Owen and raise him. But things turn badly during their journey that the end leads to a tragic conclusion.

The movie definitely touches a lot of themes from the virtues of pride and faith which was exhibited by Michael which affects the decisions that he has made in the film. Also, we get to see themes of humanism and familial life particularly that of both Michael and Owen in their characters. Finally, we also get to see how the Catholic Church has become different especially in the era of modernism.

The conclusion will definitely affect the viewer as to how they would view this movie. But one must realize that both major characters are flawed,limited, and weak as individuals. Finally,one must not look forward to happy endings on all movies that they watch for life is always far from a bed of roses and tragedies are part of life.

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 October 1986 (Ireland)

Also Known As:

Deixe-me Viver

Filming Locations:

King Arthur's Castle Hotel, Tintagel, Cornwall, England, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$3,070, 26 February 1995

Gross USA:

$5,076

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$5,076

Company Credits

Production Co:

Channel Four Films, Flickers Limehouse

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Technicolor)