The Bay Boy

Infobox Film
name = The Bay Boy


image_size = 120px
caption =
director = Daniel Petrie
producer =
writer = Daniel Petrie
narrator =
starring = Kiefer Sutherland
Liv Ullmann
Peter Donat
music =
cinematography =
editing =
distributor =
released = 6 September, 1984 (premiere at TIFF)
15 February, 1985 (USA)
runtime = 107 mins
country = Canada/France
language = English
budget =
gross =
preceded_by =
followed_by =
website =
amg_id =
imdb_id = 0086942

"The Bay Boy" is a critically acclaimed 1984 Canadian film. It is a semi-autobiographical film based on director Daniel Petrie's experiences of growing up in Glace Bay, a mining town on Cape Breton Island, during the Great Depression. It features the screen debut of Kiefer Sutherland as the film's central character.

Plot

Donald Campbell (Kiefer Sutherland) is a sensitive teenage boy coming of age in a dark and uncertain time for both his community and life. His mother (Liv Ullman) wants him to continue his education and become a priest, but Donald is more interested in girls than the Bible, and a molestation attempt by a local priest dissuades him further from this path.

Donald spends his time helping his father (Peter Donat) with a Bootleg Pit while caring for his mentally handicapped older brother and pursuing Saxon Coldwell (Leah Pinsent), his next-door neighbor.

Donald lives a hard-working but happy life, surrounded by old friends and family. But one night he witnesses a murder by a local policemen, the father of his neighbor and object of affection. He knows speaking out might endanger his family and his relationship with the man's daughters.

The film also depicts the daily lives of the eccentric locals and tight-knit families.

Production

The movie was filmed entirely on location in Cape Breton, and primarily in Glace Bay. Many of the extras are performed by local residents.

Awards

The film won the Genie Award for Best Canadian Film.

Cast

*Liv Ullmann as Mrs. Campbell
*Kiefer Sutherland as Donald Campbell
*Peter Donat as Mr. Campbell
*Alan Scarfe ... Sergeant Tom Coldwell
*Mathieu Carrière ... Father Chaisson
*Chris Wiggins ... Chief Charlie McInnes
*Thomas Peacocke ... Father McKinnon
*Isabelle Mejias ... Mary McNeil
*Jane McKinnon ... Dianna Coldwell
*Leah Pinsent ... Saxon Coldwell
*Peter Spence ... Joe Campbell
*Josephine Chaplin ... Marie Chaisson
*Pauline Lafont ... Janine Chaisson
*Roy McMullin ... Paul Ratchford
*Kathy McGuire ... Sister Roberta
*Robbie Gallivan ... Frank Carrey
*Bob Rose ... Danny McIsaac
*Robert Taylor ... Paddy O'Neil
*Darren Arsenault ... Malcolm Broderick
*David Ferry ... Walt Roach
*Bette MacDonald ... Nurse
*Fannie Shore ... Mrs. Silver
*Sander Zilbert ... Mr. Silver
*Tom Rack ... Sol Silver
*Joe MacPherson ... Rory McInnes
*Kevin McKenzie ... Mr. Rankin
*Iris Currie ... Mrs. Carrey
*Francis MacNeil ... Terry O'Shea
*Michael Egyes ... Basil Broderick
*Mary McKinnon ... Aunt Coldwell
*Stéphane Audran ... Blanche

External links

* [http://filmreferencelibrary.ca/index.asp?layid=44&csid1=136&navid=87&fid3=555&offset=30 Canadian Film Encyclopedia] [A publication of The Film Reference Library/a division of the Toronto International Film Festival Group]
*
* The [http://www.avtrust.ca AV Trust's] newsletter [http://www.preservision.ca "PreserVision"] . Issue 7 (Spring 2006) features an article on "The Bay Boy' and "losing" films.