Secondhand Lions (2003)

A coming-of-age story about a shy, young boy sent by his irresponsible mother to spend the summer with his wealthy, eccentric uncles in Texas.

Director:

Tim McCanlies

Writer:

Tim McCanlies

Stars:

Haley Joel Osment, Michael Caine, Robert Duvall

1 win & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Michael Caine	...	Garth
Robert Duvall	...	Hub
Haley Joel Osment	...	Walter
Kyra Sedgwick	...	Mae
Nicky Katt	...	Stan
Josh Lucas	...	Adult Walter
Michael O'Neill	...	Ralph
Deirdre O'Connell	...	Helen
Eric Balfour	...	Sheik's Grandson
Christian Kane	...	Young Hub
Kevin Haberer	...	Young Garth
Emmanuelle Vaugier	...	Jasmine
Adam Ozturk	...	The Sheik
Jennifer Stone	...	Martha
Mitchel Musso	...	Boy

Storyline

A boy named Walter is dropped by his mother Mae at his great-uncles' house. Later, Walter will find out his great-uncles' big secret, and rumors say that Hub and Garth, Walter's great-uncles, have stolen a lot of gold and money. (some say they stole it from Al Capone) Did they really steal that money or not?

---

Plot Keywords:

male protagonist | held at swordpoint | foreign legion | foreign legionaire | money | 

---

Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Family

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for thematic material, language and action violence

Details

Official Sites:

New Line Cinema [United States] Official Site [Japan]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 September 2003 (USA)

Also Known As:

Afrikas hemligheter

Filming Locations:

Cele Store - 18726 Cameron Road, Manor, Texas, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$30,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$12,139,832, 21 September 2003, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$41,407,470, 9 November 2003

Company Credits

Production Co:

New Line Cinema, David Kirschner Productions, Digital Domain

Technical Specs

Runtime:

111 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

At one stage, this movie was going to be a vehicle for Paul Newman and Robert Redford, and it would have been their third pairing after Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) and The Sting (1973).

---

Goofs

After Walter and Jasmine have their fight, Walter is petting Jasmine and we hear Jasmine purring. The big cats, like lions and tigers, who roar, can not purr. Non-roaring cats, like the cheetah, do purr. It has to do with their vocal cords.

---

Quotes

[first lines]
Adult Walter: [answering the phone] Hello?
Sheriff: Walter?
Adult Walter: Yes.
Sheriff: This is Sheriff Brady. I'm afraid I have some bad news for you. It's about your uncles.

---

Crazy Credits

During the end credits, the adult Walter's cartoons depict a variety of adventures.

---

Alternate Versions

For the UK cinema release, the distributors requested a PG certificate from the BBFC and 21 secs of footage was cut to remove shots of flick knives and violence. DVD releases were upgraded to a 12 certificate and the cuts were reinstated.

---

Connections

Referenced in Feed the Bear: The Rules of the Game: Serena Williams and the Dark Art of the Rhetorical Question (2018)

---

Soundtracks

A Lot of Livin' To Do
Written by Charles Strouse and Lee Adams
Performed by Sammy Davis Jr.
Courtesy of Warner Bros. Records Inc.
by arrangement with Warner Strategic Marketing

User Reviews

Heartwarming Family Movie

I have been told by many people this was a great movie and one I needed to watch. Well finally I watched it today and it didn't disappoint me. It has so many great elements to it. I laughed in some parts and cried my eyes out in others. I loved the line "...died with his (or her) boots on." It's a great statement about living your life to the fullest and believing in the things that really matter like love and honor. The actors were fabulous. I think young Haley Joel Osment has a lot to offer films and I hope we see much more of him in the future. Michael Caine never disappoints me and I love his Texas accent in the film. Overall, this is truly one movie fit for all ages. A true heartwarming film with a great message for anyone who will hear it.