The Grass Arena

1991 1h 30m EN

🤯

8.5

MASTERPIECE

★8.5TMDB · 2

DramaTV Movie

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

The Grass Arena is based on the autobiography of John Healy. Raised in an strongly religious family, with an abusive father, John soon learns that he has to defend himself. Growing into adulthood he takes up boxing, but soon falls victim to alcoholism. His boxing career over, John takes to the Grass Arena (the park) where he lives with other alcoholics. Prison time introduces him to a new and unexpected path.

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

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Cast

Mark Rylance
John Healy
Pete Postlethwaite
The Dipper
Lynsey Baxter
Madalena
Marian McLoughlin
Mrs. Healy
Billy Boyle
Mr. Healy
Ronan Vibert
Charles Fieldhouse
Clive Russell
Mac
Julian Firth
Bates

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Gillies MacKinnon
Writers: Frank Deasy
Languages: English
Countries: United Kingdom

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 6

RUNTIME

Did you know

90 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 6

ERA

Did you know

35 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 6

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Michael Parker shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 6

CAST

Did you know

Mark Rylance and Pete Postlethwaite and Lynsey Baxter carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 6

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt0101972 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 6

WILD

Did you know

Only 2 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Gillies MacKinnon directs. Michael Parker cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in United Kingdom. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

190 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.
235 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.
3Editor Michael Parker shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
4Mark Rylance and Pete Postlethwaite and Lynsey Baxter carry the top of the cast.
5IMDB entry: tt0101972 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
6Only 2 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.