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

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 May 1993 (USA)

Also Known As:

A hosszú nap véget ér

Filming Locations:

Liverpool, Merseyside, England, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$6,700, 30 March 2012, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$161,179

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

Did You Know?

Trivia

Received a 10-minute standing ovation when it premiered at the Cannes Film Festival (although it ultimately went home empty-handed).

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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

Features The Ladykillers (1955)

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Soundtracks

Tammy
Written by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans
Performed by Debbie Reynolds

User Reviews

A heartbreaking, wondrous meditation on childhood

By some definition, this is a great film. It is as "still" as any movie I've ever seen (rivaled, perhaps, only by BARRY LYNDON), meditative, thoughtful. The soundtrack of pop tunes is part of the content of the film: remembered music, remembered frights, remembered ease. Director Terence Davies, in recalling his youth in Britain in the 1950s, has filmed a metaphor for growing up that resembles TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, plus color, minus the melodrama. This film will definitely not be to everyone's taste, but for those who are of the right age and sensibility, it may be a transforming experience.