The Long Day Closes (1992)

A young British boy comes of age among his loving family and the austere Catholic Church as he realizes his love of cinema and his homosexuality.

Director:

Terence Davies

Writer:

Terence Davies

Stars:

Leigh McCormack, Marjorie Yates, Anthony Watson

2 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Marjorie Yates	...	Mother
Leigh McCormack	...	Bud
Anthony Watson	...	Kevin
Nicholas Lamont	...	John
Ayse Owens	...	Helen
Tina Malone	...	Edna
Jimmy Wilde	...	Curly
Robin Polley	...	Mr. Nicholls
Peter Ivatts	...	Mr. Bushell
Joy Blakeman	...	Frances
Denise Thomas	...	Jean
Patricia Morison	...	Amy (as Patricia Morrison)
Gavin Mawdsley	...	Billy (as Gavin Mawdslay)
Kirk McLaughlin	...	Labourer / Christ
Mark Heath	...	Black Man (as Marcus Heath)

Storyline

The Long Day Closes is the story of eleven-year-old "Bud." A sad and lonely boy, Bud struggles through his days. With cinema as his main source of solace, he haunts the local movie-house. All the while, his family looms large in our peripheral vision as do the menacing bullies of his school, but Bud is the center of attention both from the camera's angle and from his doting family. With a gray background, the film fuses clips and audio from classic movies into Bud's dreary childhood and brings it to life with an elegance Bach would bring to your home movies. The overall effect is a montage of memory which seems to ignite flashes of recognition in the viewer.

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Plot Keywords:

bully | school | christmas | new year's eve | snow | 

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Genres:

Biography | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for thematic elements and some mild language

Did You Know?

Trivia

Final screen appearance of Patricia Morison (1915-2018)

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Crazy Credits

Unusually for a film from the 1990s, but in keeping with the 1950s setting, the full acting, creative and technical credits are in the opening titles. There are however 'Special thanks' and music acknowledgments after the final 'The End' caption.

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Connections

Follows Distant Voices, Still Lives (1988)

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Soundtracks

The Long Day Closes
Written by Henry Fothergill Chorley and Arthur Sullivan
Performed by 'Pro Cantione Antiqua'

User Reviews

B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L

This is one of the most beautiful movie I ever seen. This is a masterpiece of intelligence and cinematography. Splendid camera work and a brillant integration of music and bit of spoken words. It also captures the essence of childhood. It's simply pure poetry. Remember that films are made to be seen: in early days, it was moving pictures. Here we have that essence: we see pictures. No need to listen, no need of dialogues : just pictures, as beautiful as a painting, as photography. I'm very happy that the other viewers loves this film. But I'm a little bit sad to see that it just got 6 or something out of 10 votes. See it again and again. Taste it a lot of times.

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 May 1993 (USA)

Also Known As:

A hosszú nap véget ér

Filming Locations:

Rotherhithe, London, England, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$1,407, 11 March 2012

Gross USA:

$22,765

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$22,765

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Film Institute (BFI), Channel Four Films, Film Four International

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1