Stonehearst Asylum (2014)

An Oxford graduate takes up a job in a mental asylum, only to discover that the "revolutionary" new treatments are inhumane, and that there is more going on than meets the eye.

Director:

Brad Anderson

Writers:

Edgar Allan Poe (based on a short story by), Joe Gangemi (screenplay by)

Stars:

Kate Beckinsale, Jim Sturgess, David Thewlis

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kate Beckinsale	...	Eliza Graves
Jim Sturgess	...	Edward Newgate
David Thewlis	...	Mickey Finn
Brendan Gleeson	...	The Alienist
Ben Kingsley	...	Silas Lamb
Michael Caine	...	Benjamin Salt
Jason Flemyng	...	Swanwick
Sophie Kennedy Clark	...	Millie
Sinéad Cusack	...	Mrs. Pike
Edmund Kingsley	...	Charles Graves
Robert Hands	...	Elegant Lady
Ciara Flynn	...	Farmer's Daughter
Christopher Fulford	...	Paxton
Andrew Dallmeyer	...	Jeremiah
Guillaume Delaunay	...	Arthur Timbs

Storyline

A couple of days before 1899 Christmas, the Oxford new graduate Dr. Edward Newgate arrives at the Stonehearst Asylum to complete training for his specialty of asylum medicine. He is met by armed men who take him to Dr. Silas Lamb, who welcomes his help and takes him under his wing. Edward is shocked to see the methods that Dr Lamb uses to run this asylum. He becomes infatuated with Eliza Graves, one of the patients who is a lady of status and does not seem to belong. One night, Edward overhears a knocking from the bowels of the facility and is shocked to find that everything is not as it seems in this place and that his uneasy feelings may be justified. What will Edward Choose?

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Plot Keywords:

madhouse | mental institution | asylum | mental asylum | patient | 

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Taglines:

No one is what they seem.

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Genres:

Drama | Horror | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for disturbing and violent images, sexual content and language

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 October 2014 (USA)

Also Known As:

Stonehearst Asylum

Filming Locations:

Bulgaria

Company Credits

Production Co:

Icon Productions,Sobini Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

112 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Edward Newgate (Jim Sturgess) jokes about "Mickey Finn" being a euphemism for drugging someone's drink with "knockout drops". Later on, Mister Salt claims the prisoners were overcome with chloral hydrate in their drinks. Chloral hydrate is often used as knockout drops.

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Goofs

When the gramophone is playing, the record moves up and down (as they do when playing 78s) - but the needle stays in one position rather than following the record. When looking carefully, it can clearly be seen that the needle is not actually touching the record some of the time.

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Quotes

Silas Lamb: Of all the afflictions I think of none more cruel than madness. It robs a man of his reason, his dignity, his very soul. And it does so, so slowly, without the remorse of death.

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Connections

Version of Operené stíny (1931)

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Soundtracks

Dansons la Gigue
Music by Paul Bonneau
Lyrics by Paul Verlaine
Courtesy of 5 Alarm Music

User Reviews

Brilliant!

Had a great time watching this movie. I'm not a fan of 'old time-y' films but this was a good watch. The story was so that it kept my interest as I kept wondering where it was going to go with all this and I felt at one point it would turn out a bit cliché. I was wrong, and never bored getting from one scene to the next. I recommend it but I can't say much more other than I liked the cast (Don't want to spoil it). Great actors/actresses.

I wondered what Kate Beckinsale was doing in such a film but then it all became clear, she did great, looked great. Micheal Caine, Brendan Gleeson, Ben Kingsley and even David Thewlis were all wonderful. It was my first time encountering Jim Sturgess in any film but he did a great job too, I mean, everyone was right at the top of their game.

The movie is not fast on its feet and contains little action but it makes up for it all with a well told and engaging story. Plenty of suspense.

Overall: I highly recommend it. Maybe not a 'must watch' but after you see it, you'll be glad you didn't miss it. Great ending too.