Additional information for Sling Blade, which has a domestic theatrical release set for November 27, 1996. The film is being distributed by Miramax Films and has not yet been rated. Sling Blade has a total running time of 135 minutes.
14A
Canada
12
Iceland
6
Netherlands
R
USA
15
South Korea
PG
Singapore
18
Peru
16
Argentina
M
Australia
18
Chile
K-12
Finland
IIB
Hong Kong
11
Norway
M/16
Portugal
18
Spain
11
Sweden
15
UK
135min
148min
Resplandor en la noche
Argentina
Resplandor en la noche
Uruguay
Biçak sirti
Turkey
El otro lado de la vida (Sling Blade)
Spain
Koftero lepidi
Greece
L'altre costat de la vida
Spain
La justice au coeur
Canada
Lama tagliente
Italy
Na Corda Bamba
Brazil
O Arremesso
Portugal
Pengeélen
Hungary
Rezilo
Slovenia
Secivo
Serbia
Sling Blade
Austria
Sling Blade - Auf Messers Schneide
Germany
August 30, 1996
USA
September 28, 1996
USA
October , 1996
USA
October 10, 1996
USA
November 27, 1996
USA
June 06, 1997
Portugal
June 27, 1997
Turkey
July 31, 1997
Australia
August 21, 1997
Netherlands
September 03, 1997
Spain
September 05, 1997
Germany
September 11, 1997
Singapore
September 18, 1997
Germany
October 03, 1997
Switzerland
November 06, 1997
Argentina
November 07, 1997
Sweden
November 09, 1997
Iceland
November 21, 1997
Denmark
November 26, 1997
France
November 28, 1997
Finland
December 05, 1997
Iceland
December 20, 1997
Japan
December 26, 1997
New Zealand
January 15, 1998
Hungary
July 10, 1998
UK
November 13, 1998
Uruguay
January 28, 1999
Czech Republic
September 30, 2000
South Korea
November 27, 2001
Russia
November 20, 2006
Greece
Sometimes a hero comes from the most unlikely place.
A simple man. A difficult choice.
The movie opens in an asylum, where Charles (J.T. Walsh) talks to Karl (Billy Bob Thornton) about cars and women. Two student reporters Marsha (Sarah Boss) and Theresa (Kathy Sue Brown) arrive to interview Karl, who has committed murder, and is due to be released soon. They are introduced to the warden, Jerry (James Hampton), who explains that Karl is sensitive about having his picture taken. The interview is conducted in near darkness, with Karl speaking almost to himself.Karl describes his childhood, where he was isolated from his family. He was picked on by other kids, and spent time working on lawnmowers. He says his mother was being raped by local man Jessie Dixon, and kills Jessie with a sling blade. When his mother objected to the killing, Karl killed her. When asked if he'll kill again, he says he has no reason to.Karl is released, and returns to his hometown. He tours the town, carrying his books and bible from. He helps a boy, Frank (Lucas Black) carry laundry home, and Frank invites Karl to play football. Karl is uncomfortable with being free, and tries to return to the asylum. Jerry fixes Karl up with a job at a small repair shop. Since Karl has nowhere to go, Jerry invites him to his house for the night, but his family is obviously nervous.Jerry introduces Karl to Bill Cox (Rick Dial), who owns the repair shop, and Scooter (Brent Briscoe). Karl completes a day of work, and Bill locks him inside the shop for the night. The next day, Bill gives Karl a key and an advance on his paycheck, so he can buy supplies. Karl arrives at Frank's house, and Frank takes him to his mother's store. Karl meets Frank's mom Linda (Natalie Canerday) and manager Vaughan (John Ritter). Linda allows Karl to stay in their garage, and Frank and Karl begin their friendship. Karl refuses to tell Frank about the murders. Frank tells Karl that Vaughan is gay, and Linda's boyfriend Doyle is mean to her, but since his father committed suicide, she is lonely.Doyle (Dwight Yoakum) is doubtful about Karl staying in the garage, and abuses Vaughan verbally. Vaughan and Linda leave, and Doyle verbally abuses Karl and Frank's father. Frank helps Karl get settled, and they share a joke.The next day, Vaughan takes Karl to lunch and tells him he's gay. He also tells Karl that Doyle might hurt Frank. That night, Doyle has a band party with his buddies at Linda's house. They go to the county line for beer, bringing Karl and Vaughan, and they trade jokes with the police. Back at the house, the band laments about a lack of gigs, and Doyle becomes enraged, throwing the band out. Linda confronts him, and Doyle threatens her. After Doyle leaves, Frank talks to Linda, telling her he's nervous all the time. Karl tries to cheer Linda up with a joke. Karl tells Linda why he was incarcerated, and tells her he would never hurt her or Frank.Linda arranges a dinner with Melinda (Christine Renee Ward), whom she hopes will like Karl. Vaughan and his friend Albert (Tim Holder) are also there. Melinda and Karl go for a walk.The following day, Melinda brings Karl flowers. Conversation is stilted, but Karl watches her leave. Later, Karl shares a story with Frank: his father made Karl throw away a baby boy. Karl buried it instead. They talk about life and death, and Frank says the bible says people who commit suicide or kill others go to Hades.Frank is in love with a girl named Karen, but she doesn't want to be seen with him. When they come home, Doyle is back, apologizing for his behavior. He says he'll be coming over more, trying to be a better person. Frank doesn't buy it. Karl cheers Frank up by playing football with him.Later, Karl returns to his old house where he grew up. He finds his father (Robert Duvall), who is senile, and refuses to recognize Karl as his son. Karl confronts his father about killing his little brother, then goes to see his brother's grave.That night, Karl comes into Linda's room, where she and Doyle are in bed. He tells Linda he wants to be baptized. He's carrying a hammer and says we woke up holding it. The following day, Karl is baptized in a river. When they return, Doyle sends Linda to fetch dinner, then he tells Frank to obey him, and to get rid of Karl. Doyle tries to hit Frank, but Karl stops him. As Karl leaves, he sees Linda and thanks her for being good to him.Karl finds Frank hiding in the woods, and gives Frank his books. Frank realizes Karl is leaving, and Karl tells Frank to stay away from Doyle for the night. Karl then goes to Vaughan and tells him to take care of Frank, leaving him with his earnings from the repair shop.At night, Karl is seen staring at Doyle's house and sharpening a lawnmower blade. He kills Doyle, after asking how to call the police. Karl then calls the police and waits for them to take him into custody, eating leftover fried chicken.Later, Karl listens to Charles talking again - back in the asylum. Karl tells Charles he doesn't want to listen anymore. End.
Billy Bob Thornton
Director(s)
Billy Bob Thornton
Billy Bob Thornton
Writer(s)
David L. Bushell
producer
Larry Meistrich
executive producer
Brandon Rosser
producer
Producer(s)
Daniel Lanois
Composer(s)
Karl Childers
Billy Bob Thornton
Doyle Hargraves
Dwight Yoakam
Charles Bushman
J.T. Walsh
Vaughan Cunningham
John Ritter
Frank Wheatley
Lucas Black
Linda Wheatley
Natalie Canerday
Jerry Woolridge
James Hampton
Karl's Father
Robert Duvall
Bill Cox
Rick Dial
Scooter Hodges
Brent Briscoe
Melinda (as Christy Ward)
Christine Renee Ward
Marsha Dwiggins
Sarah Boss
Theresa Evans
Kathy Sue Brown
Melvin
Wendell Rafferty
Morris (as Col. Bruce Hampton Ret.)
Bruce Hampton
Terence
Vic Chesnutt
Monty Johnson
Mickey Jones
Randy Horsefeathers
Ian Moore
Mrs. Woolridge
Judy Pryor Trice
Bubba Woolridge
Scott Stewart
Woolridge Daughter
Betty Lynn Hall
Frostee Cream Boy
Jim Jarmusch
Preacher
Gary Don Fletcher
Albert
Tim Holder
Freddy
Tom Kagy
Woodridge Secretary
Stacy Barrow
Walter
Jackie Stewart
Teenage Boy
Jamie Stewart
Housekeeper
D.J. Royston
Karen
Lacy Bailey
Ticket Agent
Raymond Lewallen
Old Man (voice)
Bill Glasscock
Karl Childers, a simple man hospitalized since his childhood murder of his mother and her lover, is released to start a new life in a small town.
Director(s)
Billy Bob Thornton
Writer(s)
producer
Larry Meistrich
executive producer
Brandon Rosser
producer
Producer(s)
Composer(s)
Other Films from Miramax Films
American Son, Chéri, DOA: Dead or Alive, Happy-Go-Lucky, No Country for Old Men, Pinocchio (2002), Prozac Nation, Pulp Fiction, Rabbit-Proof Fence, Rounders, Shakespeare In Love, Smart People, The Aviator, The Magdalene Sisters, The Night Listener, The Quiet American, The Warrior, Underclassman, Valentin, Venus
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