December Boys (2007)

One summer, four orphans boys who have grown to be the closest of friends find themselves competing for the attention of the same family.

Director:

Rod Hardy

Writers:

Ronald Kinnoch (story), Michael Noonan (novel)

Stars:

Daniel Radcliffe, Teresa Palmer, Lee Cormie

2 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Daniel Radcliffe	...	Maps
Lee Cormie	...	Misty
Christian Byers	...	Sparks
James Fraser	...	Spit
Jack Thompson	...	Bandy
Teresa Palmer	...	Lucy
Sullivan Stapleton	...	Fearless
Victoria Hill	...	Teresa
Max Cullen	...	Narrator / Adult Misty
Kris McQuade	...	Mrs. McAnsh
Ralph Cotterill	...	Shellback
Frank Gallacher	...	Father Scully
Paul Blackwell	...	Watson
Judi Farr	...	Reverend Mother
Carmel Johnson	...	Sister Beatrice

Storyline

An adult nicknamed Misty is narrating a story about one summer in his life when he was an adolescent in the late 1960s. He was living in a Catholic orphanage in the Australian outback. His best mates were the "December boys" - Maps, Spark and Spit - the four of them so named because they were the boys in the orphanage born in the month of December. With a recent windfall, the orphanage decided to give each of the boys a group vacation for each of their birthdays, the December boys the first to go. Their vacation was to Lady Star Cove on the Australian coast, to stay at the home of Mrs. and Mrs. McAnsh - Bandy and "Skipper". Their relatively carefree Christmas vacation took a turn primarily from three events: learning the reason the McAnshes hosted the boys specifically at this time; Maps, the oldest in his mid-teens, exploring his sexuality with a girl named Lucy, who was also visiting Lady Star Cove for the summer; and Misty secretly learning that a young couple in the cove, Fearless...

---

Plot Keywords:

orphan | outback | south australia | terminal illness | teenage girl | 

---

Taglines:

Daniel Radcliffe of the Harry Potter film series tests the bonds of friendship and family.

---

Genres:

Drama | Romance

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for sexual content, nudity, underage drinking and smoking

Details

Official Sites:

Impact Services Official Site 2 [UK]

Country:

Australia Germany USA

Language:

English French

Release Date:

20 September 2007 (Australia)

Also Known As:

Un verano para toda la vida

Filming Locations:

Clayton Bay, South Australia, Australia

Box Office

Budget:

$4,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$15,810, 16 September 2007, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$46,474, 30 September 2007

Company Credits

Production Co:

Australian Film Finance Corporation (AFFC),Becker Group,Best FX (Boom Sound)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Director Rod Hardy previously directed another production filmed on Kangaroo Island which was the South Australian Film Corporation's television mini-series 'Shadows of the Heart' (1990). The two productions were made around eighteen years apart.

---

Goofs

Although the film is apparently set in the 1950s or early 1960s at most, the record Maps finds in the cave features Norman Greenbaum's "Spirit in the Sky", released in 1969. Later, when Maps and Lucy listen to another record, the song played is Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Who'll Stop the Rain?", released in 1970.

---

Quotes

Maps: Just remember Misty, no matter what, you're still a December boy.

---

Connections

Featured in At the Movies: Michael Clayton/December Boys/The Jane Austen Book Club/The Heartbreak Kid/The Seeker (2007)

---

Soundtracks

Have You Ever Seen The Rain
Written by John Fogerty
Performed by Creedence Clearwater Revival

User Reviews

Liked it.

"December boys" is a tale of growing up, of brotherhood, of love and most of all about friendship. It's a good movie, I really felt that I cared for what happened to the boys, especially Maps and Misty.

Teresa Palmer as Lucy is absolutely beautiful, it's the first time I've laid my eyes on her. You'd think she is a brainless blonde when seeing her, but this one actually can act. At least I felt so. I also liked Fearless, Teresa, Bandy and his wife. They all seemed like so very nice people.

After a somewhat slow start, I was entertained 'til the very end. I found myself watching with interest. Still, It's a movie I suspect I wouldn't like as much the next time, or the time after that. I know the story, it doesn't feel like it would be so interesting when it's not the first time.

All in all, this December boy gives the December boys a 7/10 stars. Well done.