IMDb > Sling Blade (1996)
Sling Blade
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Sling Blade (1996) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 28 | slideshow) Videos (see all 8 NEW)
Sling Blade (1996) -- Karl Childers, a simple man hospitalized since his childhood murder of his mother and her lover, is released to start a new life in a small town.
Sling Blade (1996) -- Clip: Lunch with Vaughn, post
Sling Blade (1996) -- Sinematurk - Trailer (Flash)
Sling Blade (1996) -- MyMovieScripts.com - Trailer (Flash)
Sling Blade (1996) -- Clip: Good thoughts, post

Overview

User Rating:
8.0/10   39,613 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 2% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Billy Bob Thornton
Writers (WGA):
Billy Bob Thornton (play)
Billy Bob Thornton (screenplay)
Contact:
View company contact information for Sling Blade on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
27 November 1996 (USA) more
Genre:
Drama more
Tagline:
Sometimes a hero comes from the most unlikely place. more
Plot:
Karl Childers, a simple man hospitalized since his childhood murder of his mother and her lover, is released to start a new life in a small town. full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
Won Oscar. Another 11 wins & 9 nominations more
User Comments:
A complicated hero. more (263 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

MPAA:
Rated R for strong language, including descriptions of violent and sexual behavior.
Runtime:
135 min | 148 min (Director's cut)
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Dolby Digital
Certification:
Canada:14A (original rating) | Iceland:12 | Netherlands:16 (original rating) | Netherlands:6 (re-rating) | USA:Not Rated (director's cut) | South Korea:15 | Singapore:NC-16 (re-rating) | Argentina:16 | Australia:MA (re-rating) | Australia:M (original rating) | Chile:18 | Finland:K-12 | Hong Kong:IIB | Norway:11 | Portugal:M/16 | Singapore:PG (cut) | Spain:18 | Sweden:11 | UK:15 | USA:R
Filming Locations:
Benton, Arkansas, USA more
Company:
Miramax Films more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Vaughan (John Ritter) is holding a copy of the book "A Confederacy of Dunces" in his final scene. The book revolves around a Southern character that is unable to fit into society. more
Goofs:
Continuity: When Karl is talking to the Frostee Cream Boy, there are no cars on the road behind him. But whenever the camera is aimed at the Frostee Cream, there is a lot of traffic on the road reflected in the window. Thornton points out in the DVD commentary that this is because the local police had another pressing issue the day they filmed Jim Jarmusch, and they couldn't be there to stop traffic. more
Quotes:
Karl: I don't reckon you have to go with women to be a good daddy to a boy. You been real square-dealin' with me. The Bible says two men ought not lay together. But I don't reckon the Good Lord would send anybody like you to Hades. That Frank, he lives inside of his own heart. That's an awful big place to live in. You take good care of that boy.
[walks off]
Vaughan Cunningham: I will. Karl?
more
Movie Connections:
Featured in Bad Santa: Not Your Typical Christmas Movie (2004) (V) more
Soundtrack:
Plunger more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
8 out of 10 people found the following comment useful.
A complicated hero., 12 July 2002
7/10
Author: SmileysWorld from United States

Here we have the story of a good hearted,mentally challenged man who does not like to see the people he loves suffer.The source of their suffering happens to come in the human form.Karl Childers,this mentally challenged man,chooses to eliminate the suffering in the only way he knows how,wrong though it may be.He is willing to give up his own happiness,so that they may be happy.This is a very complex story which can be viewed from many different angles.In my opinion,it is a very sad story because here we have a man,suddenly free after years of treatment in a mental institution,willing to give it all away for the people he calls his friends.A hardly recognizable Billy Bob Thornton gives an exceptionally good performance as Karl,not to mention giving excellent direction from behind the camera as well.A surprising turn by Dwight Yoakam as the closed minded Doyle Hargraves,though I feel his ignorance was not his own fault,as we are all a product of our upbringing.A good movie,with good performances all around in a very complex story.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Sling Blade (1996)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Other dark films set in the south. . . . . three_eyed_denim
I didn't understand the joke Karl's boss told at work while eating DRose23
Did Doyle want to Die? (Spoilers) mtbaker-1
What's his mental illness vera-horvath
Sling Blade has a Halo Song beastinem
Tragic about his baby brother. peep4000
more

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