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DVD Description
Based on Michael Noonan's novel by the same name, December Boys recounts the tale of four close-knit orphans in Australia, called the December Boys as they were all born in the same month, who leave their orphanage for a holiday by the sea. Having all but given up hope of ever being adopted, the boys' friendships will be tested when rumours that a couple are interested in adopting one of them. The four boys find themselves competing to gain a chance at living a real family life.
Synopsis
Based on the novel by Michael Noonan, December Boys is a touching coming-of-age drama set in Australia in the 1960s. Maps (Daniel Radcliffe), Misty (Lee Cormie), Sparks (Christian Byers), and Spit (James Fraser) are four best friends living in a Catholic orphanage, each hoping to be adopted by a decent family, but learning that dreams don't always come true--and that adults often let kids down. Because they were all born in December, they are the first group to be taken to stay with two of the orphanage's benefactors--Bandy (Jack Thompson) and Skipper (Kris McQuade)--an older couple who have offered to house the kids during the Christmas season. As the boys frolic by the sea and experience other new and exciting things, they quickly discover that there is much more to the world than they had ever imagined. However, when Misty overhears that Teresa (Victoria Hill) and her husband, Fearless (Sullivan Stapleton), are considering adopting one of the boys, their carefree fun turns to bitter rivalry as the boys compete for their affections. The only one not caught up in all the furore is Maps, who is too busy experiencing his first romance with Lucy (Teresa Palmer).
Filmed in Adelaide and on Kangaroo Island, and directed by long-time TV veteran Rod Hardy, December Boys features beautiful locales, a talented cast, and a terrific soundtrack, including period songs by Norman Greenbaum ('Spirit In The Sky'), the Easybeats ('Friday On My Mind'), and Creedence Clearwater Revival ('Who'll Stop The Rain').
Filmed in Adelaide and on Kangaroo Island, and directed by long-time TV veteran Rod Hardy, December Boys features beautiful locales, a talented cast, and a terrific soundtrack, including period songs by Norman Greenbaum ('Spirit In The Sky'), the Easybeats ('Friday On My Mind'), and Creedence Clearwater Revival ('Who'll Stop The Rain').
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I bought this film after I had originally rented it as I wanted to watch it over and over again. And I have seen something different in it every time. So this is a good film if you want something gentle, but moving and thought-provoking. There are some powerful messages, not least the fact that families may take different forms and may not always be made up of blood relatives. Another hidden gem was the emergence and fulfilment of Maps' vocation as a 'big brother' to those who have been abandoned. You'll have to watch the film to understand fully what I'm talking about! It's also appropriate to comment on Daniel Radcliffe's performance which I think was intelligent, mature and good to watch. Because it is what I would describe as a film based on real life (as opposed to fantasy), it is an ideal vehicle for him to make the transition from 'you know what' to a long-term acting career. And it was interesting to see him play a role which relies less on dialogue, but on facial expressions and body language. The only thing that jarred slightly was the ages of the grown-up characters at the end. They just looked too old, but this is a relatively minor gripe about a film that I have really enjoyed.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I admit it! I'm a Daniel Radcliffe fan even though he's young enough to be my son - just!
The photography and script are brilliant and you can't better the Australian scenery as a film set.
I'll be watching this film with great delight for years too come!
Money well spent!
The photography and script are brilliant and you can't better the Australian scenery as a film set.
I'll be watching this film with great delight for years too come!
Money well spent!
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
the disc is a widescreen 2.4:1 presentation and audio is 5.1.Merit to be given as the audio could easily have been 2.0 as alot of releases still can be.,especially as this title could either have been a hit or a miss in regards to sales.There are only 'additional scenes' as extras which is poor,no commentary track.,this I'd say was this titles only floor as there is no HD equivalent as yet.
I will skip to the chase.Daniel Radcliffe fans will be over the moon with this film,he's about 15/16 years of age here,probably filmed it inbetween Potters five & six.Radcliffe is not the Radcliffe we see in the Potter movies...he looks different,I am made up I own this dvd.
The story portrayed here is very similar to alot of stuff which comes out of Australia,...sentimental,inspirational,simplistic,organic & re-watchable.,but in this case unquestionably a showcase for Radcliffe.
Is a 12 rating but should be at least 13a as contains parts which are sexually suggestive.,not for young kids as the '12' may recommend.,very Australian.
Wazza.
I will skip to the chase.Daniel Radcliffe fans will be over the moon with this film,he's about 15/16 years of age here,probably filmed it inbetween Potters five & six.Radcliffe is not the Radcliffe we see in the Potter movies...he looks different,I am made up I own this dvd.
The story portrayed here is very similar to alot of stuff which comes out of Australia,...sentimental,inspirational,simplistic,organic & re-watchable.,but in this case unquestionably a showcase for Radcliffe.
Is a 12 rating but should be at least 13a as contains parts which are sexually suggestive.,not for young kids as the '12' may recommend.,very Australian.
Wazza.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
great, super, better than i thought it was going to be, wow
just great, have read the book and in MY opinion the film was everything and more, the back drop to the film is just great and inviting, the boys were just superb actors that... Read more
Published 5 months ago by dee
my dvd
it is in amazing condition and it was very fast
thanxs
XxX
thanxs
XxX
Published 11 months ago by Hannahbm7
Beyond Harry Potter
There is a specific Australian film genre about children growing up outside of the normal family group. Despite this, the film holds your attention with a good story line.
Published 16 months ago by davidqq
France 3, Australia -2
Somewhere in this mess there's a decent film trying to get out.....
There are 2 main problems imho.
1) Daniel Radcliffe is awful in this film. Read more
There are 2 main problems imho.
1) Daniel Radcliffe is awful in this film. Read more
Published 18 months ago by mr rupert
december boys
What a change for the Harry Potter star to take with this film,December Boys.
You expect him to be able to portray an adolescent as that is what he has mostly
been doing... Read more
You expect him to be able to portray an adolescent as that is what he has mostly
been doing... Read more
Published on 28 Dec 2009 by Ms. A. J. Bleazard
Harry Potter strikes again.
Good film; Nice to see Daniel Radcliffe in a role other than Harry Potter. We really enjoyed watching this.
Published on 15 Aug 2009 by G. L. Edmonds
Amazing what Daniel Radcliffe and a soppy ending can do!!!
December Boys: Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe is probably the only reason this film is even known as to be entirely honest it is really a mediocre movie. Read more
Published on 5 Aug 2009 by A. Lalor
Misty, water-colored memories...
A man remembers a special time in his youth when he and three other orphans were given a holiday at the sea to celebrate their December birthdays. Read more
Published on 5 May 2009 by Kona
Really bad
Everyone watches this because they want to see Daniel Radcliffe in something other than Harry Potter. Ok. Fine. And he doesn't do a bad job. Read more
Published on 30 Oct 2008 by Book Worm
What you should really think of a film like this
The mistake most people will make when they buy a film such as this is that they will judge it upon Daniel Radcliffe's performance. Read more
Published on 17 May 2008 by Wilson Carter
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