The Young Poisoner's Handbook (1995)

This film is based on a true story about a British teenager who allegedly poisoned family, friends, and co-workers. Graham is highly intelligent, but completely amoral. He becomes ... See full summary »

Director:

Benjamin Ross

Writers:

Jeff Rawle, Benjamin Ross

Stars:

Hugh O'Conor, Antony Sher, Tobias Arnold

1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tobias Arnold	...	Young Graham
Ruth Sheen	...	Molly
Roger Lloyd Pack	...	Fred
Hugh O'Conor	...	Graham Young
Norman Caro	...	Mr. Goez
Dorothea Alexander	...	Mrs. Goez
Charlotte Coleman	...	Winnie
Paul Stacey	...	Dennis
Samantha Edmonds	...	Sue
Robert Demeger	...	Mr. Dexter
Jack Deam	...	Mick
Peter Pacey	...	Dickie Boone
Joost Siedhoff	...	Dr. Scott
Vilma Hollingbery	...	Aunty Panty
Frank Mills	...	Uncle Jack

Storyline

This film is based on a true story about a British teenager who allegedly poisoned family, friends, and co-workers. Graham is highly intelligent, but completely amoral. He becomes interested in science, especially chemistry, and begins to read avidly. Something of a social misfit, he is fascinated by morbid subjects such as poisons and murder. His family environment is intolerable to him and, in particular, his stepmother torments him. He decides to poison those who annoy him, first with antimony and later with thallium. He smugly thinks himself cleverer than all those around him, but nevertheless he is caught and sentenced to 'rehabilitation' at a psychiatric institution. Once there, he undertakes to deceive the new eminent psychiatrist sent there to 'cure' him, thereby securing his release.

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Plot Keywords:

poisoner | murderer | death by poison | murder by poison | thallium poisoning | 

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Taglines:

Meet Graham. He's not your ordinary teenager.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for murders by poisoning, language and some nude photos

Details

Country:

UK Germany France

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 February 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

Das Handbuch des jungen Giftmischers

Box Office

Gross USA:

$749,812

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bavaria Film and Television Fund,British Screen Productions,Eurimages

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film was not screened at many local cinemas, due to the tone of the film, and out of respect for the surviving victims, and the relatives of the dead.

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Goofs

When Dr. Zeigler visits the institution for mentally unstable criminals in which Graham is hospitalized, the director of the institution says, referred to another patient: "Vulpes pilum mutat, non mores", saying it means "The leopard never changes his spots". Graham corrects him, saying it means instead: "The wolf changes its fur, but not its nature". Actually, "vulpes" means "fox".

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Quotes

Molly: You contaminate everything you touch. I'm going to scrub you till you are raw.

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Connections

References A Clockwork Orange (1971)

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Soundtracks

Peanut Butter
Performed by The Big Three

User Reviews

Do you take Antimony in your tea?

One problem with this movie was that I wasn't sure whether I was allowed to laugh or not. It's a sick, black comedy, and quite disturbing given that it's based on truth. And yet it's strangely humourous. Hugh O'Conor is absolutely PERFECT in the role of Graham Young. As a longtime Hugh O'Conor fan, I will admit I may have been biased towards this film -- after all, I will enjoy his work in any movie -- but this movie was also well-acted by the entire cast. If you can stomach it, watch the film.