The antisocial son of an alcoholic father and a bipolar mother grows up in 1960s Ireland.
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Title: The Butcher Boy (1997)
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10 wins & 11 nominations.
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Eamonn Owens | ... | Francie Brady | |
| Sean McGinley | ... | Sergeant | |
| Peter Gowen | ... | Leddy | |
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Alan Boyle | ... | Joe Purcell |
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Andrew Fullerton | ... | Phillip Nugent |
| Fiona Shaw | ... | Mrs. Nugent | |
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Aisling O'Sullivan | ... | Ma Brady |
| Stephen Rea | ... | Da Brady | |
| John Kavanagh | ... | Dr. Boyd | |
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Rosaleen Linehan | ... | Mrs. Canning |
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Anita Reeves | ... | Mrs. Coyle |
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Gina Moxley | ... | Mary |
| Niall Buggy | ... | Father Dom | |
| Ian Hart | ... | Uncle Alo | |
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Anne O'Neill | ... | Mrs. McGlone |
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Plot Summary
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Storyline
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. Written by yusufpiskin
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This little piggy laughed all the way home!Parents Guide:
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Our Lady: For fuck's sake, Francie!...
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(Traditional; arranged by Drummond)
Squirrel Music
Performed by Regina Nathan
Courtesy of Enigma / Lunar Records
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Did You Know?
Trivia
The movie reunites director Neil Jordan with many actors who had appeared in his previous film Michael Collins (1996): Stephen Rea, Ian Hart, Jer O'Leary, Brendan Gleeson, Sean McGinley, Gerard McSorley, Stuart Graham, Aisling O'Sullivan, Paraic Breathnach and Vinnie McCabe; Sinéad O'Connor acts in this film while in Collins she provided with soundtrack songs. See more »Quotes
[the Blessed Virgin Mary is exasperated by the Butcher Boy's slowness to act]Our Lady: For fuck's sake, Francie!...
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Soundtracks
Sweetheart of Jesus(Traditional; arranged by Drummond)
Squirrel Music
Performed by Regina Nathan
Courtesy of Enigma / Lunar Records
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Details
Language:
EnglishRelease Date:
20 February 1998 (Ireland) See more »Also Known As:
The Butcher Boy See more »Edit
Box Office
Opening Weekend USA:
$135,606, 5 April 1998Gross USA:
$1,995,911Cumulative Worldwide Gross:
$1,995,911Company Credits
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THE BUTCHER BOY comically chronicles a young boy's descent into madness. The boy provides a voice-over from the present to tell the story of his youth in an Irish village in the early 60s. His father's a violent drunk, and his mother is already insane, so it's not difficult to explain why the kid is losing his mind. It's just that he really doesn't know he's going crazy. He believes he's leading a perfectly normal life as we watch in horror as his actions grow more violent and frightening. And it's a comedy!
Neil Jordan is a craftsman and creates a very enjoyable movie even given the very dark subject matter. The child actor's are great, the best I've seen this side of PONETTE. If the subject and its treatment don't put you off you will like this movie. If not, try something else.