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

This film contains what is probably the longest single continuous shot of a carpet in film history.

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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 Happiest Days of Your Life (1950)

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Soundtracks

Over the Banister
from "Meet me in Saint Louis"
Music by Ralph Blane
Lyrics by Hugh Martin
Performed by Judy Garland

User Reviews

Wistful and beautiful.

This movie has given me many hours of pleasure. Remarkably it offers nostalgia for places I have never seen and experiences I have never had. Do not seek fast moving excitement or slick dialogue when you go to see this film, but be prepared to wallow in its sad, wistful beauty. If you are a person who fares best in jovial company then perhaps this is not for you but if you have ever felt alone, or sad without knowing quite why, then you will recognise the chief character, Bud, played to perfection by Leigh McCormack. Of the many children appearing on our screens, often applauded excessively in my opinion, this child has to be one of the best in assuring the integrity of the project. There is no unnecessary music in the film but it is filled with gems which add to the overall feeling of nostalgia, as do the short soundtrack clips from cinema of the period. It is possible to switch this film on at any point and watch for a while as you might stand in front of a painting, but once I have started my VCR I cannot resist watching it in its entirety from the elegance of the title frames, through its succession of windows and its constant rain, to the inevitable fading of the light as the "long day closes".