The Boys | |
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The Boys DVD cover
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Directed by | Rowan Woods |
Produced by |
Robert Connolly John Maynard |
Screenplay by | Stephen Sewell |
Based on |
Play: Gordon Graham |
Starring |
David Wenham Toni Collette Lynette Curran John Polson Anthony Hayes |
Music by | The Necks / Alan Lamb |
Cinematography | Tristan Milani |
Edited by | Nick Meyers |
Distributed by | Roadshow Entertainment |
Release date
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Running time
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86 minutes |
Country | Australia |
Language | English |
The Boys is a 1998 Australian drama film directed by Rowan Woods. The screenplay by Stephen Sewell is based on the play by Gordon Graham (loosely based on the murder of Anita Cobby), first performed by Griffin Theatre Company directed by Alex Galeazzi.
After serving time in prison for an assault on a liquor store-owner, Brett Sprague is released from prison and returns home to his two brothers and their girlfriends, mother, stepfather, and girlfriend. Things have changed, and as Brett begins to drink his way through the day, he regains his "top-dog" position one argument at a time. This power-trip gets Brett and his brothers united in rage against their girlfriends and mother, and they are involved in a heinous crime. The aftermath of the night unfolds through the story with flashforwards.
The Boys is Rowan Woods' directorial debut, and actor Peter Hehir's last film before he retired from acting. Woods "aimed to achieve a combination of documentary-style naturalism with the edge of a thriller." Woods also said that the first time he read the play, he felt "it was an Australian story that had to be told. (...) This is the inside story of a family in crisis, of three boys on the day before a nasty crime takes place, of which they are accused."
The producer of the film, Robert Connolloy had also produced the play. He met Rowan Woods at film school, and they both suggested to John Maynard they make the movie. The script was adapted by playwright Stephen Sewll.
Shooting was made on location in a rented house in Maroubra, an eastern suburb of Sydney. The shopping centre which is the scene of the heinous crime is the Eastlakes Shopping Centre in Sydney's inner suburbs.
The original music score is composed by The Necks (though sound designer Alan Lamb also contributed music for the film).