IMDb > A History of Violence (2005)
A History of Violence
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A History of Violence (2005) More at IMDbPro »

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A History of Violence (2005) -- A mild-mannered man becomes a local hero through an act of violence, which sets off repercussions that will shake his family to its very core.
A History of Violence (2005) -- Clip: Witness Protection
A History of Violence (2005) -- A mild-mannered man becomes a local hero through an act of violence, which sets off repercussions that will shake his family to its very core.
A History of Violence (2005) -- Trailerfan.com - Trailer (Flash)
A History of Violence (2005) -- Sinematurk - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
7.6/10   70,337 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 33% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
David Cronenberg
Writers (WGA):
John Wagner (graphic novel) and
Vince Locke (graphic novel) ...
(more)
Contact:
View company contact information for A History of Violence on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
30 September 2005 (USA) more
Genre:
Crime | Drama | Thriller more
Tagline:
Everyone has something to hide. more
Plot:
A mild-mannered man becomes a local hero through an act of violence, which sets off repercussions that will shake his family to its very core. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
Awards:
Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 26 wins & 31 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(63 articles)
John C. Reilly and Mary-Louise Parker Go 'Red'
 (From Cinematical. 5 November 2009, 4:32 PM, PST)
AFI Fest 2009: Christopher Plummer, Viggo Mortensen Tributes
 (From Alternative Film Guide. 24 October 2009, 10:57 PM, PDT)
User Comments:
One of Cronenberg's best and most accessible films more (1048 total)

Cast

  (in credits order) (complete, awaiting verification)

Viggo Mortensen ... Tom Stall

Maria Bello ... Edie Stall

Ed Harris ... Carl Fogarty

William Hurt ... Richie Cusack

Ashton Holmes ... Jack Stall
Peter MacNeill ... Sheriff Sam Carney

Stephen McHattie ... Leland

Greg Bryk ... Billy

Kyle Schmid ... Bobby

Sumela Kay ... Judy Danvers
Gerry Quigley ... Mick
Deborah Drakeford ... Charlotte
Heidi Hayes ... Sarah Stall

Aidan Devine ... Charlie Roarke
Bill MacDonald ... Frank Mulligan
Michelle McCree ... Jenny Wyeth
Ian Matthews ... Ruben
R.D. Reid ... Pat

Morgan Kelly ... Bobby's Buddy
Martha Reilly ... Shoe Saleswoman
Jason Barbeck ... Richie's Thug
Bruce Beaton ... Richie's Thug
Neven Pajkic ... Richie's Thug
Brendan Connor ... Local TV Reporter
Nick Antonacci ... Local TV Reporter
John Watson ... Baseball Coach
Don Allison ... TV Broadcaster
Brittany Payer ... Motel Girl
Mitch Boughs ... Kid in Diner
April Mullen ... Kid in Diner
George King ... Hospital Well-Wisher
Shawn Campbell ... Orderly
rest of cast listed alphabetically:

Steve Arbuckle ... Jared (uncredited)

Connor Price ... Kid (uncredited)
Evan Rose ... 'Hulk' Boy (uncredited)
Michael Stevens ... Guy on the Street (uncredited)
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Directed by
David Cronenberg 
 
Writing credits
(WGA)
John Wagner (graphic novel) and
Vince Locke (graphic novel)

Josh Olson (screenplay)

Produced by
Kent Alterman .... executive producer
Chris Bender .... producer
Cale Boyter .... executive producer
Josh Braun .... executive producer
Toby Emmerich .... executive producer
Justis Greene .... executive producer
Roger Kass .... executive producer (as Roger E. Kass)
J.C. Spink .... producer
Jake Weiner .... co-producer
 
Original Music by
Howard Shore 
 
Cinematography by
Peter Suschitzky (director of photography)
 
Film Editing by
Ronald Sanders 
 
Casting by
Deirdre Bowen 
 
Production Design by
Carol Spier 
 
Art Direction by
James McAteer 
 
Set Decoration by
Peter P. Nicolakakos 
 
Costume Design by
Denise Cronenberg 
 
Makeup Department
Patrick Baxter .... prosthetic lab technician
Stephan Dupuis .... makeup supervisor (as Stéphan Dupuis)
Mary-Lou Green-Benvenuti .... key hair stylist (as Mary Lou Green-Benvenuti)
Christopher Pizzerelli .... key makeup artist (as Christopher Pizzarelli)
Divyo Rae Putney .... assistant hair stylist (as Divyo Putney)
Dorota Zajac .... assistant makeup artist
Sean Sansom .... special makeup effects lab technician (uncredited)
 
Production Management
Jack Deutchman .... post-production manager
Erik Holmberg .... executive in charge of production
Jody Levin .... executive in charge of post-production
Heather Meehan .... unit production manager
Lori A. Waters .... post-production supervisor (as Lori Waters)
 
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Tyler Delben .... third assistant director
Aric Dupere .... trainee assistant director
Walter Gasparovic .... first assistant director
Elizabeth Parker .... trainee assistant director (as Elizabeth S.D. 'Duff' Parker)
Jodi A. Tario .... assistant director
Bob Warwick .... second assistant director (as Robert Warwick)
 
Art Department
John Bannister .... key scenic painter
Deryck Blake .... property master
Daniel William Brown .... carpenter (as Daniel Brown)
Michael Bunt .... carpenter
Malcolm Byard .... lead dresser
Tom S. Campbell .... lead painter (as Tim S. Campbell)
Anthony Codd .... carpenter
James Coppella .... painter
Janet Cormack .... scenic assistant (as Janet L. Cormack)
Neil Crawford .... construction laborer
Joe Curtin .... construction coordinator
Greg DaPrato .... set dresser (as Greg Daprato)
Paul Dzatko .... carpenter
Danielle Fleury .... assistant set decorator
John Flynn .... painter
Brad Francis .... painter
Luke Gibson .... assistant lead painter
Kevin Haeberlin .... lead dresser
J. Ryan Halpenny .... second assistant art director
Scott Howes .... construction laborer
Henry Ilola .... carpenter
Paul Jefferson .... head carpenter
Norman Kelner .... painter
Itsuko Kurono .... art department apprentice
Gordon Lebredt .... set designer
Brian Lumley .... carpenter
Rick Marshall .... carpenter
Charles McGlynn .... assistant property master
Richard McStay .... assistant head carpenter
Michael J. Meade .... property buyer
Jae Pak .... first assistant art director
Thomas Pearce .... second assistant head carpenter
Greg Pelchat .... on-set dresser
Jim Peters .... key greensman
Dusty Reeves .... art department coordinator
Myles Roth .... carpenter
Ken Samaroo .... on-set painter (as Kenneth Samaroo)
Sam Santoro .... key laborer
Werner Schlatter .... painter
Tom Sheehan .... carpenter
Robert S. Smith .... on-set carpenter
Robert H. Steiner .... construction auditor
Derek Stephenson .... painter
Michael Vanderteems .... on-set greens (as Mike Vanderteems)
Gordon White .... set designer
Walter Woloschuk .... lead greensman
 
Sound Department
Christian T. Cooke .... sound re-recording mixer (as Christian Cooke)
Glen Gauthier .... sound mixer
Jamie Gould .... re-recording assistant
Alastair Gray .... dialogue editor
Wayne Griffin .... supervising sound editor
Matthew Hussey .... first assistant sound editor
Goro Koyama .... foley artist
Andy Malcolm .... foley artist
Anna Malkin .... foley recording assistant
Matthew McKenzie .... adr mixer
Colin McLellan .... adr mixer
Chris Navarro .... adr recordist
Michael O'Farrell .... supervising sound editor
Moshe Saadon .... boom operator
Orest Sushko .... sound re-recording mixer
Steve Switzer .... boom operator
Eric Thompson .... adr mixer
Clive Turner .... sound effects editor
Don White .... foley recording mixer
David Yonson .... adr mixer
Mark Zsifkovits .... sound re-recording mixer
Gren-Erich Zwicker .... first assistant sound editor
Rob Bertola .... sound editor (uncredited)
 
Special Effects by
Dan Gibson .... special effects set foreman (as Daniel Gibson)
Gary Kleinsteuber .... special effects rigging foreman
Peter Sissakis .... special effects technician
Neil Trifunovich .... special effects supervisor
Jonathan Gording .... special effects contact lenses (uncredited)
 
Visual Effects by
Barb Benoit .... digital compositor
Dennis Berardi .... visual effects supervisor: Mr. X Inc.
Shawney Cohen .... 3D animator (as Sean Cohen)
Rob Del Ciancio .... digital compositor
Bonnie Dickson .... compositing assistant
Mike Diltz .... tape operator
Michael Eaves .... digital intermediate color timer: EFilm
David Fix .... senior systems administrator: Mr. X Inc
Genevieve Forte .... digital artist
Jason Giberson .... film scanning and recording
Chris Jensen .... digital colorist assist
Jef Lonn .... digital compositor
Sarah McMurdo .... visual effects production manager
Lauren Ritchie .... executive in charge of visual effects
Chris Ross .... digital effects scanning
David Singer .... operations manager: Mr. X Inc.
Mark Stepanek .... 3D animator
Aaron Weintraub .... visual effects supervisor
Fiona Campbell Westgate .... visual effects producer: Mr. X Inc.
Thomas Mathai .... data manager (uncredited)
Darcy Reno .... senior systems administrator (uncredited)
Michael Stewart .... digital compositor: Mr. X Inc. (uncredited)
Mark Tureski .... scanning recording (uncredited)
 
Stunts
Chad Camilleri .... stunts (as Chad Camelleri)
Christopher McGuire .... stunts (as Chris McGuire)
Duncan McLeod .... stunts
Robert C. Shannon .... water safety coordinator
John Stoneham Jr. .... fight coordinator
John Stoneham Jr. .... stunt coordinator
Bryan Thomas .... stunts
Dave Van Zeyl .... stunts
John MacDonald .... stunts (uncredited)
Bryan Thomas .... stunt double (uncredited)
 
Camera and Electrical Department
Kevin Alanthwaite .... electrician
Scotty Allan .... chief lighting technician
Allan Angus .... generator operator
Pierre Berube .... best boy rigging electric
Zena Bielewicz .... camera loader
Jonathan Billings .... rigging grip (as Jon Billings)
Sam Bojin .... best boy electric (as Samuel Bojin)
Russel Bowie .... first assistant camera: "a" camera
Bernie Branston .... electrician
Carlo Campana .... grip
Tony Eldridge .... electrician
Candide Franklyn .... Steadicam operator
Candide Franklyn .... camera operator: "b" camera
Robert Johnson .... key grip
James Kohne .... grip
Mark Lewandowski .... video playback operator
Anthony Nocera .... digital video assist operator
Marc Purdy .... best boy grip
Takashi Seida .... still photographer
Peter Suschitzky .... camera operator: "a" camera
Frank Teunissen .... best boy rigging grip
Jordon Toms .... dolly grip (as Jordan Toms)
Marko Willis .... grip
Jaclyn Young .... second assistant camera: "a" camera
Mike Harwood .... electrician (uncredited)
Ronald Schlueter .... video assistant: splinter unit (uncredited)
 
Casting Department
Mark Bennett .... casting: USA
Luisa Cabbidu .... extras casting coordinator (as Luisa Cabiddu)
Zameret Kleiman .... extras casting
Christopher Richards .... casting assistant
Millie Tom .... casting assistant
 
Costume and Wardrobe Department
Ciara Brennan .... set costumer
Matthew Campbell .... costume truck supervisor
Patricia Cowmeadow .... set costume supervisor (as Tisha Cowmeadow)
Natalie Bronfman .... assistant costume designer (uncredited)
 
Editorial Department
Michael Eaves .... digital intermediate color timer (as Mike Eaves)
Bob Fernley .... digital intermediate supervisor
Aaron Marshall .... first assistant editor: film
Ricardo Olivero .... lab color timer
Sandy Pereira .... second assistant film editor (as Sandy M. Pereira)
Martha Pike .... digital intermediate editor
Catherine Rankin .... negative cutter
Emma Sanders .... post-production coordinator
Tad Seaborn .... first assistant editor: avid
 
Music Department
Paul Broucek .... executive in charge of music: New Line
Peter Cobbin .... score mixer
Elizabeth Cotnoir .... music production manager
Jennifer L. Dunnington .... music editor (as Jennifer Dunnington)
Karen Elliott .... music supervisor
Vic Fraser .... music preparation
Alan Frey .... music production coordinator
Isobel Griffiths .... music contractor
Robin Joseph .... music clearances
John Kurlander .... score recordist
Greg Laporta .... electronic music programmer
Jonathan Schultz .... score editor
Howard Shore .... conductor
Howard Shore .... orchestrator
Lori Silfen .... music business affairs executive
Tim Stritmater .... score technical engineer
Giancarlo Vulcano .... music copyist
Mark Willsher .... score editor
Paul Kegg .... musician: cello (uncredited)
Jesse Pynigar .... music preparation (uncredited)
Toby Wood .... assistant scoring engineer (uncredited)
 
Transportation Department
Ken Barbet .... transportation captain
John Coles .... driver
Wally Dibacco .... driver (as Walter L. Dibacco)
Lorne Frederick .... driver
Michael Gabourie .... driver
Ray Gabourie .... driver: Ed Harris & William Hurt
Ron Hines .... driver
Glenn Hughes .... picture vehicle captain
Michael K. Jones .... driver: Maria Bello
Lenita Karhunen .... transportation office administrator
Samarroo Llalchan .... driver (as Lalchan Samaroo)
Hugh McCallum .... driver: Viggo Mortensen
Stuart Mitchell .... transportation captain
Don Morley .... driver
Kevin Murphy .... driver (as Kevin L. Murphy)
Frank Norris .... driver
Thomas Osmond .... driver
Bruce Raymer .... driver
Dave Staples .... transportation coordinator (as David Staples)
William L. Tataryn .... driver
Maurice Tremblay .... driver
Ian C. Harris .... driver (uncredited)
 
Other crew
Amanda Alden .... assistant production coordinator
Lynell Bangs .... production accountant
Cassandra Barbour .... rights and clearances
Debra Beers .... location manager
Jeff Behlendorf .... post-production accountant
John 'Frenchie' Berger .... gun wrangler (as Frenchie Berger)
Darren J. Biro .... location production assistant
Jim Bruening .... picture analysis
Rick Coffee .... first assistant accountant: US
Chris Cozens .... auricle operator
Fernando DaSilva .... assistant location manager
Jon Davidson .... production controller
William Dobson .... set medic
Prudence Emery .... unit publicist
Neal Flaherty .... assistant: Mr. Bender
Robin Greavette .... assistant location manager
Elspeth Haughton .... production coordinator
Elaine Hughes .... assistant craft service
Ryan Hupponen .... production office assistant
Pino Insegno .... voice dubbing: Viggo Mortensen
Ryan Keaveney .... production office assistant
Alex Kontsalakis .... payroll accountant
Andrew Matthews .... executive in charge of film investment
Jason McLean .... stand-in
Rafal Mickiewicz .... stand-in
Louise Muskala .... assistant: Mr. Greene
John Nelles .... dialogue coach (as John E. Nelles)
Kyle O'Connor .... location production assistant
Andre Paquin .... second assistant accountant (as André Paquin)
Julie Paquin .... first assistant accountant (as Julie C. Paquin)
Paul Prokop .... executive in charge of finance
Joshua Ravetch .... production resources
Jennifer Ricci .... stand-in (as Jen Ricci)
Carolyn Rohaly .... assistant: Mr. Cronenberg
Dug Rotstein .... script supervisor
Laura Sevier .... rights and clearances
Steve Sheridan .... trainee assistant accountant
Eric Sherping .... assistant craft service
Claire Smith .... production secretary
Joe Steele .... production resources
Warner Strauss .... assistant location manager
Tim Stritmater .... technical engineer
Dave Tommasini .... helicopter pilot (as David Tommasini)
Debra Weyman .... studio teacher
Stephanie Lee Berger .... weapons handler (uncredited)
Rich Bokides .... film runner (uncredited)
Tony Castillo .... on-set caterer (uncredited)
Patricia Cowmeadow .... set supervisor (uncredited)
Wendolyn Deal .... assistant: William Hurt (uncredited)
Wendolyn Deal .... production assistant (uncredited)
Leon Dudevoir .... production executive (uncredited)
John Furniotis .... title designer (uncredited)
Pamela Hackwell .... contact lens technician (uncredited)
R. Emerson John .... replacement script supervisor (uncredited)
Brad Ling .... on-set caterer (uncredited)
John Rakich .... production assistant: Millbrook (uncredited)
K.D. Smith .... post-production accounting assistant (uncredited)
 

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Additional Details

Also Known As:
A History of Violence (Germany)
more
MPAA:
Rated R for strong brutal violence, graphic sexuality, nudity, language and some drug use.
Parents Guide:
View content advisory for parents
Runtime:
96 min
Country:
USA | Germany
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS
Certification:
Finland:K-15 | Canada:16+ (Quebec) | Canada:18A (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Ontario) | Philippines:R-13 (cut) | Australia:MA | Singapore:R21 | Switzerland:16 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:16 (canton of Geneva) | Netherlands:16 | Argentina:16 | France:-12 | Spain:18 | South Korea:18 | Hong Kong:III | Japan:R-15 | Indonesia:Dewasa | Czech Republic:15 | Mexico:C | Brazil:18 | Sweden:15 | Australia:R (original rating) | New Zealand:R18 | Malaysia:(Banned) | Portugal:M/16 | Iceland:16 | Germany:18 (bw) | Italy:T (re-rated) | Italy:VM14 (original rating) | USA:R (certificate #41604) | Israel:16 | UK:18 | Ireland:18 | Norway:18
Filming Locations:
King City, Ontario, Canada more
Company:
New Line Productions more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The mobsters were originally supposed to be Italian, but after the casting of Ed Harris and William Hurt, David Cronenberg decided to change the mob to Irish. He felt Harris and Hurt wouldn't make convincing Italians. more
Goofs:
Audio/visual unsynchronized: In the high school softball game, the bully comes up to the plate carrying a wooden bat, but the sound heard when he hits the ball is the sound of an aluminum bat. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
William Orser: So we keep headin' east?
Leland Jones: Yeah, that's the idea.
William Orser: Stay out of the big cities?
Leland Jones: Uh-huh.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Dans Paris (2006) more
Soundtrack:
Life of a Fool more

FAQ

Why does Bobby try to goad Jack into starting a fight, instead of just beating him up?
Is A History of Violence based on a book?
Was Tom schizophrenic?
more

User Comments

   (Comment on this title)
91 out of 121 people found the following comment useful.
One of Cronenberg's best and most accessible films, 9 April 2006
9/10
Author: mstomaso from Vulcan

Cronenberg's adaptation of a Wagner and Locke graphic novel places a simple American family man, and his all-American family, into a new and disturbing context which has them questioning everything they think they know. Tom Stall (Viggo Mortensen) owns a little diner in a small town and has a nice house on the outskirts of town, where he and his wife Edie (Maria Bello) raise their two kids apparently living the American dream in their own way. One day at the diner, two murderers pop by at closing time for some cherry pie, and Tom's heroic defense of his diner, his customers and himself sets off a series of events that threaten his family, his sanity and his life. The eerie tension never lets up in this powerful examination of identity, honesty and violence.

David Cronenberg has directed some of my favorite off-beat films - the masterpiece Naked Lunch, Scanners, Videodrome. I have watched these films many times and I still find them interesting. I can't really call myself a fan, however, because there are also just as many Cronenberg films out there which I found difficult to get through the first time (Crash, eXistenZ, Dead Ringers). Cronenberg enjoys creating disturbing situations and imagery, and wants to get under your skin and to stimulate your mind on as many levels as he can. In most cases, he pulls it off masterfully, but sometimes, his emphasis on the bizarre can come across as pretentious and forced.

Like a lot of very creative and intelligent people, Cronenberg sometimes leaves his signature virtually everywhere in his work. And sometimes, a director needs to make a film which does everything they want to accomplish but leaves off the signature. For example - the brilliant David Lynch showed us his ability to jump out of his own skin with Elephant Man and The Straight Story. These are still very much Lynch films, but they also appeal to the wider audience of mainstream cinema-goers. A History of Violence is, in some ways, Cronenberg's most straightforward film. A key to its success is that it is very easy to forget that you are watching a Cronenberg film, no matter how aware you are of Cronenberg's many quirks, idiosyncrasies and trademarks. It is so masterfully directed that, although the plot is not entirely unpredictable, you are right there in the action with the characters and feeling what they feel so that, though you may know what's next, you never exactly see it coming and you never know how it will take you there.

Viggo Mortensen, in his best mainstream role since Aragorn, and Maria Bello (one of the actors who made The Cooler worth watching), head an impressive cast in this adaptation of a Wagner and Locke graphic novel. Nobody in the cast slips up at all. The script is intense, realistic, and probably did nothing to make the performances easy. The plot, if described without the plot and the context created by the script, would seem somewhat absurd, but like Woody Allen's Match Point, it's absurdity does not make it impossible to believe. Editing, directing and pure performance combine to make flawless performances for this cast. Backed up by veterans Ed Harris and William Hurt, and very strongly supported by the excellent Maria Bello, Mortensen is shockingly excellent in a difficult role. I can't explain why without giving too much of the film away. Although the rest of the cast did exactly as they were supposed to, I want to single out Ashton Holmes - an actor I was completely unfamiliar with but who I will look out for in the future.

I recommend A History of Violence highly. It is one of my top five reasons for considering 2005 to have been a great year in North American film.

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