The Long Day Closes (1992)

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. ... See full summary »

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
Marcus Heath	...	Black Man

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 | british renaissance | christmas | new year's eve | 

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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

The film uses 35 pieces of original music - often in their entirety - in its brief 85 minute running time.

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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

References Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing (1955)

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Soundtracks

At Sundown
Written by Walter Donaldson
Performed by Doris Day

User Reviews

Film making at its zenith

Its been said that everyone has a wonderful book in them, if they only had the skill to bring it out. Terence Davies has made several quality films, but The Long Day Closes is his personal masterpiece. Evocative, nostalgic, the film depicts a childhood lost and sweetly remembered at a time and in a nation struggling to right itself following a devastating war. Davies abandons traditional film-making and works from intuition and powerful memories to create something truly special and magnificent. Certainly not for everyone. If you are moved primarily by American Idol, Wrestlemania and NASCAR pileups, and if your idea of nostalgia is reruns of Happy Days, this movie would be a waste of your time.