Family

1994 3h 10m EN

🙌

8.0

BANGER

★8.0TMDB · 3

Synopsis

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This four-part made-for-TV drama focuses up close on a Dublin couple with four children. Charlo is a hustler, a head-first footballer, a thief, abusive. Paula drinks, objects to Charlie's thievery and adultery without the will to chuck him out. John Paul worships his father who's initiating him into the world of beer and football but recoils at Charlo's treatment of mum; asthma and misbehavior at school follow. Daughter Nicola is a young woman, starting work in a garment factory. When Charlo begins to stare at her, she's frightened and Paula's furious.

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

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Cast

Sean McGinley
Charlo Spencer
Ger Ryan
Paula Spencer
Neilí Conroy
Nicola Spencer
Barry Ward
John Paul Spencer
Gemma Butterly
Leanne Spencer
Jake Williams
Jack Spencer
Des McAleer
Ray Harris
Pauline McLynn
Denise

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Michael Winterbottom
Writers: Roddy Doyle
Languages: English
Countries: Ireland, 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 / 8

RUNTIME

Did you know

At 190 minutes, this is a three-hour-plus commitment — longer than 95% of films ever made.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

ERA

Did you know

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

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

International production across 2 countries: Ireland, United Kingdom.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Michael Winterbottom, shot by Daf Hobson. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

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

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Sean McGinley and Ger Ryan and Neilí Conroy carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt0109769 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

WILD

Did you know

Only 3 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Michael Winterbottom directs. Daf Hobson behind the camera. Trevor Waite cuts. A long sit — settle in. Produced in Ireland, United Kingdom. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1At 190 minutes, this is a three-hour-plus commitment — longer than 95% of films ever made.
232 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.
3International production across 2 countries: Ireland, United Kingdom.
4Directed by Michael Winterbottom, shot by Daf Hobson. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
5Editor Trevor Waite shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
6Sean McGinley and Ger Ryan and Neilí Conroy carry the top of the cast.
7IMDB entry: tt0109769 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
8Only 3 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.