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 ...
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Title: The Young Poisoner's Handbook (1995)
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1 win & 2 nominations.
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
 |
Tobias Arnold | ... | Young Graham |
| Ruth Sheen | ... | Molly | |
| Roger Lloyd Pack | ... | Fred | |
| Hugh O'Conor | ... | Graham Young | |
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Norman Caro | ... | Mr. Goez |
|
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Dorothea Alexander | ... | Mrs. Goez |
| Charlotte Coleman | ... | Winnie | |
|
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Paul Stacey | ... | Dennis |
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Samantha Edmonds | ... | Sue |
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Robert Demeger | ... | Mr. Dexter |
| Jack Deam | ... | Mick | |
| Peter Pacey | ... | Dickie Boone | |
|
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Joost Siedhoff | ... | Dr. Scott |
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Vilma Hollingbery | ... | Aunty Panty |
| Frank Mills | ... | Uncle Jack | |
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Plot Summary
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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. Written by Tad Dibbern <DIBBERN_D@a1.mscf.upenn.edu>
Plot Keywords:
poisoner | murderer | death by poison | murder by poison | thallium poisoning |Taglines:
He gave his life to his research, so did his family. See more »Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
Rated R for murders by poisoning, language and some nude photos | See all certifications »Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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Details
Language:
EnglishRelease Date:
23 February 1996 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Das Handbuch des jungen Giftmischers See more »Edit
Box Office
Gross USA:
$749,812Company Credits
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IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
DolbyColor:
Color (Metrocolor)Aspect Ratio:
1.66 : 1
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Did You Know?
Trivia
The movie does take some liberties: an example is that Young did not kill his Stepmother in real life - indeed he was close and devoted to her as she had a terminal illness. However, due to his sociopathic behavior, the film seems to explore the possibility he had a hand in her death. See more »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". See more »Connections
Featured in At the Movies: Up Close and Personal/Muppet Treasure Island/Fargo/Heidi Fleiss: Hollywood Madam/The Young Poisoner's Handbook (1996) See more »Frequently Asked Questions
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I really enjoyed The Young Poisoner's Handbook. Some people made the comparison with A Clockwork Orange from Stanley Kubrick and I can get where they come from if they mean the same tune they play a couple of times and also the fact that when Graham Young is getting institutionalized one doctor tries to cure him from his demons but other then that those two movies are completely different. While A Clockwork Orange was about a young man against society using ultra violence this one is about a young smart apathetic guy poisoning everybody he dislikes. Plus the fact that this movie is based on a true story while Kubrick's masterpiece was just fictional makes it totally useless to compare both movies. Nevertheless I thought Tobias Arnold as Graham Young gave a good performance as well as the other actors. Certainly worth a watch.