December Boys (2007)

User Rating:

6.7/10   

Director:

Rod Hardy

Writers:

Ronald Kinnoch (story)
Michael Noonan (novel)

Release Date:

14 September 2007 (UK)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Tagline:

After that summer nothing would ever be the same again.

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

Boy | Orphan | Seaside | Holiday | Orphanage

Awards:

2 wins

Cast

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

MPAA:

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

Runtime:

105 min

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Certification:

Australia:PG | USA:PG-13 | Ireland:12A | Germany:6 | Singapore:NC-16 | Taiwan:PG-12 | India:U | Japan:PG-12 | Argentina:13 | Peru:14 | South Korea:15 | Brazil:12

Filming Locations:

Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Company:

Australian Film Finance Corporation (AFFC)

Trivia:

The December Boys are so called because the four new orphan boys all arrived at the orphanage in December, and celebrated their birthdays in this month.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: In this film, set in what appeared to be the 1950s, a Triumph motorcycle appeared with disc brakes. No mass-produced motorcycle had disc brakes until the 1969 Hondas and they never appeared on Triumph models until the 21st century.

Quotes:

Maps: I'm trying to look after you!

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Siskel & Ebert & the Movies: (2007-10-06)" (2007)

Soundtrack:

Spirit in the Sky

A gentle story, well told with stunning Australian scenery.

I loved this movie from beginning to end. It was a wonderful story of growing up and as the memories are long distant everything seems so much more magical and larger than life. As it really does when we are adults looking back at our childhood. I thought the acting was excellent and it was very well cast. Daniel Radcliffe plays a very subdued character far removed from HARRY POTTER and shows that he has the talent to continue in the business as an adult. The other 3 boys are good finds and I am sure we will see more of them in the future. While there is only a small cast, each one has a strong role and Mr & Mrs McAnsh are truly memorable. Kangaroo Island is absolutely stunning and from the dusty outback to the crystal clear coast, the visual splendour is a feast for the eyes. Don't expect a special effects blockbuster, just enjoy the journey of a lovely story!