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The Butcher Boy

  • 19971997
  • RR
  • 1h 50min
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
11K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
The Butcher Boy (1997)
ComedyDrama

The antisocial son of an alcoholic father and a bipolar mother grows up in 1960s Ireland.The antisocial son of an alcoholic father and a bipolar mother grows up in 1960s Ireland.The antisocial son of an alcoholic father and a bipolar mother grows up in 1960s Ireland.

IMDb RATING
7.1/10
11K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Neil Jordan
  • Writers
    • Pat McCabe(novel)
    • Neil Jordan(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Stephen Rea
    • Fiona Shaw
    • Eamonn Owens
Top credits
  • Director
    • Neil Jordan
  • Writers
    • Pat McCabe(novel)
    • Neil Jordan(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Stephen Rea
    • Fiona Shaw
    • Eamonn Owens
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 72User reviews
    • 61Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 10 wins & 11 nominations

    Videos1

    The Butcher Boy
    Trailer 0:21
    The Butcher Boy

    Photos26

    Stephen Rea and Eamonn Owens in The Butcher Boy (1997)
    The Butcher Boy (1997)
    Quad
    The Butcher Boy (1997)
    The Butcher Boy (1997)
    The Butcher Boy (1997)
    The Butcher Boy (1997)
    The Butcher Boy (1997)
    The Butcher Boy (1997)
    The Butcher Boy (1997)
    Eamonn Owens in The Butcher Boy (1997)
    Eamonn Owens in The Butcher Boy (1997)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Stephen Rea
    Stephen Rea
    • Da Bradyas Da Brady
    Fiona Shaw
    Fiona Shaw
    • Mrs. Nugentas Mrs. Nugent
    Eamonn Owens
    Eamonn Owens
    • Francie Bradyas Francie Brady
    Alan Boyle
    • Joe Purcellas Joe Purcell
    Sean McGinley
    Sean McGinley
    • Sergeantas Sergeant
    Peter Gowen
    Peter Gowen
    • Leddyas Leddy
    Andrew Fullerton
    • Phillip Nugentas Phillip Nugent
    Aisling O'Sullivan
    • Ma Bradyas Ma Brady
    John Kavanagh
    John Kavanagh
    • Dr. Boydas Dr. Boyd
    Rosaleen Linehan
    • Mrs. Canningas Mrs. Canning
    Anita Reeves
    • Mrs. Coyleas Mrs. Coyle
    Gina Moxley
    • Maryas Mary
    Niall Buggy
    Niall Buggy
    • Father Domas Father Dom
    Ian Hart
    Ian Hart
    • Uncle Aloas Uncle Alo
    Anne O'Neill
    • Mrs. McGloneas Mrs. McGlone
    Joe Pilkington
    • Charlie McGloneas Charlie McGlone
    Pat McGrath
    • Farmer on Tractoras Farmer on Tractor
    Jer O'Leary
    Jer O'Leary
    • Dublin Manas Dublin Man
    • Director
      • Neil Jordan
    • Writers
      • Pat McCabe(novel) (screenplay)
      • Neil Jordan(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit
    Francie and Joe live the usual playful, fantasy filled childhoods of normal boys. However, with a violent, alcoholic father and a manic depressive, suicidal mother the pressure on Francie to grow up are immense. When Francie's world turns to madness, he tries to counter it with further insanity, with dire consequences. —yusufpiskin
    paranoiavisionalcoholicchildhoodsatire96 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • This little piggy laughed all the way home!
    • Genres
      • Comedy
      • Drama
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • Rated R for language and violence
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Stephen Rea is credited as only playing Pa in the film but also plays the adult Francie, who narrates his story in voice overs throughout the film, uncredited.
    • Quotes

      [the Blessed Virgin Mary is exasperated by the Butcher Boy's slowness to act]

      Our Lady: For fuck's sake, Francie!...

    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: My Giant/The Odd Couple II/City of Angels/The Player's Club/The Big One/The Butcher Boy (1998)
    • Soundtracks
      Mack the Knife
      Written by Kurt Weill / Bertolt Brecht
      European American Music Corp. / Warner / Chappell Music, Inc. / Universal Edition A.G.
      Performed by Santo & Johnny
      Courtesy of BMG Entertainment International UK & IRL Ltd.

    User reviews72

    Review
    Top review
    9/10
    Just an EXCELLENT movie
    I don't understand how this movie is so unknown by most of the people.

    Simply put, this is an amazing film. Eamonn Owens' performance is just unbelievable.

    There are some serious and sensitives themes in this movie (murder, suicidal thoughts, alcoholism, child abuse, religion) however it's not a disturbing movie (it has its moments though). The reason for the lack of disturbance in this film is because we're seeing everything from the perspective of a little boy.

    The Butcher Boy is, for sure, one of the best dark comedies/dramas that I've seen. Highly recommendable.
    helpful•44
    6
    • CTzen
    • Feb 27, 2004

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 20, 1998 (Ireland)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • Ireland
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • 屠夫男孩
    • Filming locations
      • Clones, County Monaghan, Ireland
    • Production company
      • Geffen Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $1,995,911
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $135,606
      • Apr 5, 1998
    • Gross worldwide
      • $1,995,911
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 50min
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • DTS
      • SDDS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

    Related news

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    Killing Eve's Fiona Shaw: Her 10 Best Roles, According To IMDb
    Jun 6ScreenRant.com
    Fiona Shaw: ‘I’m delighted to be in with the young crowd!’
    Mar 3The Guardian - Film News

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