Three young Irish women struggle to maintain their spirits while they endure dehumanizing abuse as inmates of a Magdalene Sisters Asylum.
Director:
Writer:
Awards:
- Nominated for 1 BAFTA Film Award. Another 18 wins & 14 nominations.
- See more »
Reviews:
Photos and Videos
Complete, Cast awaiting verification
| Geraldine McEwan | ... |
Sister Bridget
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| Anne-Marie Duff | ... |
Margaret
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| Nora-Jane Noone | ... |
Bernadette
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| Dorothy Duffy | ... |
Rose / Patricia
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| Eileen Walsh | ... |
Crispina
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| Mary Murray | ... |
Una
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| Britta Smith | ... |
Katy
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Frances Healy | ... |
Sister Jude
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Eithne McGuinness | ... |
Sister Clementine
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| Phyllis MacMahon | ... |
Sister Augusta
(as Phyllis McMahon)
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Rebecca Walsh | ... |
Josephine
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| Eamonn Owens | ... |
Eamonn
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| Chris Patrick-Simpson | ... |
Brendan
(as Chris Simpson)
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Sean Colgan | ... |
Seamus
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Daniel Costello | ... |
Father Fitzroy
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Kate Christie | ... |
Dormitory Girls
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Alison Goldie | ... |
Dormitory Girls
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Jemma Heath | ... |
Dormitory Girls
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Anita Hyslop | ... |
Dormitory Girls
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Marianne McGill | ... |
Dormitory Girls
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Leonna McGilligan | ... |
Dormitory Girls
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Claire McKenzie | ... |
Dormitory Girls
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Claire Murray | ... |
Dormitory Girls
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Lynsey Robson | ... |
Dormitory Girls
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Mariann Taylor | ... |
Dormitory Girls
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Julie Austin | ... |
Theresa
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Deirdre Davis | ... |
Margaret's Mother
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| Ian Hanmore | ... |
Margaret's Father
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Pol McAdaim | ... |
Band member at wedding
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Sean McDonagh | ... |
Kevin
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Sean Mackin | ... |
Priest at wedding
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David Muldrew | ... |
Band member at wedding
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| Ciaran Owens | ... |
Young Eamonn
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Kevin Shields | ... |
Band member at wedding
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Ashley Conroy | ... |
Sonia
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Pauline Goldsmith | ... |
Mrs Barton
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Leanne Henderson | ... |
Amy
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Stephen Mallon | ... |
Orphanage Boy 1
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Jim Murray | ... |
Orphanage Boy 2
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Christopher Sheridan | ... |
Orphanage Boy 3
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Maureen Allan | ... |
Rose's Mother
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Laurie Ventry | ... |
Father Doonigan
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Jim Walsh | ... |
Rose's Father
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Fran Brennan | ... |
Garda Sergeant
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Gemma Burns | ... |
Ruby
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Daniel Emerson | ... |
Crispina's Son - 2
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Tracy Kearney | ... |
Crispina's Sister
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| Stephen McCole | ... |
Young Man in Car
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Gareth Milne | ... |
Psychiatric Nurse
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| Peter Mullan | ... |
Mr O'Connor
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Julie Wilson Nimmo | ... |
Girl with Baby
(as Julie Nimmo)
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| Nick Powell | ... |
Psychiatric Nurse
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Allan Sharpe | ... |
Archbishop
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Callum Smith | ... |
Crispina's Son - 1
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Flynn Turner | ... |
Crispina's Son - 3
(as Fynn Turner)
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Margaret McGowan | ... |
Chaperones
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Helen Game | ... |
Chaperones
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
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Leo Horsfield | ... |
Groom (uncredited)
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Directed by
| Peter Mullan | ||
Written by
| Peter Mullan | ... | (written by) |
Produced by
| Ed Guiney | ... | executive producer |
| Frances Higson | ... | producer |
| Paddy Higson | ... | line producer |
| Andrea Occhipinti | ... | executive producer: Eyescreen |
| Rod Stoneman | ... | executive producer: The Irish Film Board |
| Paul Trijbits | ... | executive producer |
| Alan J. Wands | ... | co-producer (as Alan J. 'Willy' Wands) |
Music by
| Craig Armstrong | ||
Cinematography by
| Nigel Willoughby | ... | director of photography |
Editing by
| Colin Monie | ||
Editorial Department
| Giles Burgess | ... | first assistant film editor |
| Yvonne McDonald | ... | negative checker |
| Sonya Scott | ... | post-production secretary |
Casting By
| Lenny Mullan | ||
Production Design by
| Mark Leese | ||
Art Direction by
| Caroline Grebbell | ||
| Jean Kerr | ||
Costume Design by
| Trisha Biggar | ||
Makeup Department
| Candice Banks | ... | additional makeup artist |
| Carol Chambers | ... | additional makeup artist |
| Kate Elliot-Muir | ... | additional makeup artist (as Kate Elliot Muir) |
| Sindy Hely | ... | additional makeup artist |
| Dianne Jamieson | ... | makeup designer |
| Sylvie Francoise Kurz | ... | additional makeup artist |
| Fiona Maynard | ... | makeup artist |
| Catherine Muir | ... | additional makeup artist |
| Carole Reid | ... | makeup work experience |
| Karen Scott | ... | makeup trainee |
| Catherine Shirley | ... | additional makeup artist |
| Meg Speirs | ... | additional makeup artist |
| Stephanie Wedge | ... | makeup artist |
| Tracey Wells | ... | makeup artist |
Production Management
| Janet Riddoch | ... | production manager (as Janet S. Riddoch) |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Jill Dempsey | ... | second second assistant director: crowd |
| David Gilchrist | ... | first assistant director |
| Tommy Gormley | ... | additional first assistant director |
| Elaine Mackenzie | ... | third assistant director (as Elaine MacKenzie) |
| Michael Queen | ... | second assistant director |
| Susan Radcliffe | ... | trainee assistant director |
| Katie Rennie | ... | trainee assistant director |
Art Department
| Evelyn Barbour | ... | additional cash buyer |
| Mat Bergel | ... | stand-by props |
| Sandy Borthwick | ... | chargehand / painter |
| Phil Bowen | ... | construction manager |
| Duncan Burns | ... | stagehand |
| Tristan Carlisle-Kitz | ... | stand-by props |
| Paul Cowan | ... | laborer |
| Stewart Cunningham | ... | dressing props |
| Sam Curren | ... | additional painter |
| Laura Donnelly | ... | assistant art director |
| Bobby Gee | ... | stand-by painter |
| Angus Gentleman | ... | additional props |
| Ewan Gillespie | ... | additional carpenter |
| Alec Graham | ... | additional carpenter |
| Jane Harvie | ... | apprentice painter |
| Emma Henderson | ... | cash buyer |
| Christopher Higson | ... | supervising carpenter (as Chris Higson) |
| John Hughes | ... | painter |
| Piero Jamieson | ... | additional props |
| Scott Keery | ... | props master |
| William Maxwell | ... | carpenter |
| Duncan McDevitt | ... | dressing props |
| Elaine McLenachan | ... | production buyer |
| Dennis Murphy | ... | carpenter |
| Alan Reid | ... | storyboard artist |
| Alex Robertson | ... | stand-by carpenter |
| David Weatherstone | ... | additional props |
| Rhona Wilson | ... | dressing props |
| Dawn Youll | ... | apprentice plasterer |
Sound Department
| Alan Collins | ... | sound facility manager: ardmore sound |
| Tony Cook | ... | boom operator |
| Felicity Cottrell | ... | foley artist |
| Debbie Dingwall | ... | additional boom operator |
| David Donaldson | ... | sound engineer / sound programming |
| Robert Farr | ... | adr re-recordist / foley re-recordist |
| John Fitzgerald | ... | re-recording mixer |
| Kahl Henderson | ... | dialogue editor |
| Tom Johnson | ... | re-recording mixer |
| Gayle Learmonth | ... | sound trainee |
| Douglas MacDougall | ... | supervising sound editor |
| Sandy Miller | ... | additional boom operator |
| Colin Nicolson | ... | sound recordist |
| Chris Sinclair | ... | foley editor |
| Ruth Sullivan | ... | foley artist |
Special Effects by
| Steve Breheney | ... | special effects supervisor (uncredited) |
Visual Effects by
| Giles Livesey | ... | digital film colorist (uncredited) |
Stunts
| Gareth Milne | ... | stunt performer |
| Nick Powell | ... | stunt coordinator |
Camera and Electrical Department
| David Bourke | ... | best boy |
| James Bourke | ... | rigging electricians mate |
| Charlie Crawford | ... | unit photographer |
| Bonnie Dempsey | ... | clapper loader |
| Andrew Ford | ... | camera operator: "b" camera |
| Alick Fraser | ... | focus puller: "b" camera |
| Tom Gates | ... | gaffer |
| Chris Gilbertson | ... | additional electrician |
| Katharine Higgs | ... | camera trainee |
| Alan Maxwell | ... | focus puller: "b" camera |
| Mickey May | ... | electrician |
| Drew Meldon | ... | key grip |
| Paul Murphy | ... | additional electrician |
| Sam Osborne | ... | focus puller |
| Ross Pearson | ... | stand-by rigger |
| Tim Proctor | ... | grip: "b" camera |
| Glenda Rome | ... | clapper loader: "b" camera |
| Jamie Summers | ... | electrician |
| Tony Wilcock | ... | rigging gaffer (as Tony Wilcocks) |
| Lorna Will | ... | camera operator: "b" camera |
Casting Department
| Victoria Beattie | ... | additional casting assistant (as Vicky Beattie) |
| Kara Johnston | ... | casting assistant |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Lee Dickson | ... | costume junior |
| Frank Gallacher | ... | additional costume assistant |
| Irene Godfrey | ... | costume assistant |
| Arnalie Harper Gow | ... | additional costume assistant (as Amalie Harper Gow) |
| Anne Matheson | ... | additional costume assistant |
| Tracy McGregor | ... | additional costume assistant |
| Michael Mooney | ... | costume supervisor |
| Marnie Ormiston | ... | key costumer |
| Claire Pettifer | ... | costume assistant |
| Ailsa Rendell | ... | additional costume junior |
| Alex Watherston | ... | additional costume assistant |
Location Management
| Mike Bolam | ... | location scout |
| Cara Gavigan | ... | location scout (as Kara Gavigan) |
| Michael Higson | ... | location scout |
| Robbie Kirkpatrick | ... | location assistant |
| Beverley Syme | ... | location manager |
Music Department
| Craig Armstrong | ... | conductor / music arranger |
| Matt Dunkley | ... | additional orchestrator / conductor: Royal Scottish National Orchestra |
| Emma Ford | ... | music supervisor |
| Geoff Foster | ... | orchestra recordist / score recordist |
| Royal Scottish National Orchestra | ... | orchestra |
Script and Continuity Department
| Bronagh Murphy | ... | trainee script supervisor |
| Pat Rambaut | ... | script supervisor |
Transportation Department
| Darren Bell | ... | facilities driver: Aeroshoot |
| Colin Crosbie | ... | unit driver |
| Gary Forsyth | ... | driver: camera truck |
| Graham Gordon | ... | driver: props |
| Graham Harrison | ... | facilities driver: Aeroshoot |
| Davie Love | ... | facilities driver: Aeroshoot (as David Love) |
| Gareth Reeve | ... | unit driver |
| Gordon Shillinglaw | ... | unit driver |
| Charlie Simpson | ... | facilities driver: Aeroshoot |
| Philip Twinberrow | ... | unit driver |
Additional Crew
| Helle Absalonsen | ... | working crew: Digital Film Lab |
| Vicci Allen | ... | working crew: Digital Film Lab (as Vicci Allan) |
| Beth Armstrong | ... | unit nurse |
| Laurence Byrne | ... | trainee accountant |
| Susan Cairney | ... | unit nurse |
| Sarah Carswell | ... | production trainee |
| Gillian Clyde | ... | business affairs: Film Council's New Cinema Fund |
| John Cooney | ... | security: Atlas Security (as John Cooney) |
| Eric D'Souza | ... | working crew: Digital Film Lab (as Eric d'Souza) |
| Mark Devlin | ... | production coordinator |
| Brendan Diver | ... | caterer: Thistle Catering |
| Eddie Drew | ... | animal handler |
| Larry Eydmann | ... | health and safety advisor |
| Emma Ford | ... | assistant: Craig Armstrong |
| Helen Game | ... | chaperone |
| David Havard | ... | insurance: AON |
| Carol-Anne Henderson | ... | pre-production assistant |
| John Hinchliffe | ... | working crew: Digital Film Lab (as John Hinschliffe) |
| Vince Holden | ... | production finance: Film Council's New Cinema Fund |
| Steve Humphries | ... | director: "Sex in a Cold Climate" which inspired this movie / producer: "Sex in a Cold Climate" which inspired this movie |
| Christine Hunter | ... | unit nurse |
| Jacqueline Hurt | ... | lawyer: Olswang |
| Stephen Kane | ... | religious advisor |
| Jim Kerr | ... | developed with the financial assistance of |
| John Kirkham | ... | unit nurse |
| Kris Kolodziejski | ... | working crew: Digital Film Lab |
| Susie Liggat | ... | physical production executive: Film Council's New Cinema Fund |
| Giles Livesey | ... | working crew: Digital Film Lab |
| Andrew Lowe | ... | business affairs: Temple Films |
| Barbara Lynch | ... | production secretary |
| Phyllis MacMahon | ... | religious advisor (as Phyllis McMahon) |
| Lucy Marr | ... | assistant accountant |
| Mark McBride | ... | production runner |
| Jill McCullough | ... | voice coach: Geraldine McEwan |
| Kenny McGhee | ... | unit nurse (as Kenny McGee) |
| Margaret McGowan | ... | chaperone |
| John McKain | ... | production accountant |
| Jim O'Donnell | ... | unit nurse |
| Michael Osborne | ... | additional runner |
| Frederico Piacentini | ... | caterer: Thistle Catering |
| Les Reilly | ... | caterer: Thistle Catering |
| Malcolm Ritchie | ... | financial executive: PFP Films |
| Andreas Rostock | ... | working crew: Digital Film Lab |
| Jessica Rundle | ... | pre-production assistant |
| Scott Russell | ... | caterer: Thistle Catering |
| Sam Smith | ... | working crew: Digital Film Lab |
| Richard Starkey | ... | unit nurse |
| Alex Usborne | ... | production executive: Film Council's New Cinema Fund |
| Susan Waddell | ... | lawyer: Olswang |
| Jenny Williams | ... | pre-production assistant |
Thanks
| Neil Ballantyne | ... | thanks: Summerlee Heritage Centre |
| John Booth | ... | thanks |
| David Brown | ... | thanks |
| Sonia Butterworth | ... | thanks |
| Leonard Crooks | ... | special thanks: Glasgow Film Office (as Lenny Crooks) |
| Belle Doyle | ... | thanks |
| Andrew Eaton | ... | thanks |
| Mike Fagan | ... | thanks |
| Jim Guthrie | ... | thanks |
| Graham Hawkins | ... | thanks |
| Jeffrey Honneiker | ... | thanks |
| Mags Horspool | ... | thanks (as Mags Horsepool) |
| Matt Hume | ... | thanks: Summerlee Heritage Centre |
| Mary Keane | ... | thanks |
| Darren Longthorne | ... | thanks |
| Ray Marston | ... | thanks (as Ray Marsden) |
| Eddie McGee | ... | thanks |
| Tracey McGee | ... | thanks |
| Celine McHugh | ... | thanks |
| Robert McNeilly | ... | thanks |
| Alexander Murray | ... | thanks |
| Irene Napier | ... | thanks |
| Claire Paterson | ... | thanks |
| Eddie Robinson | ... | thanks |
| Bob Robison | ... | thanks |
| Jane Roche | ... | thanks |
| Carole Sheridan | ... | thanks |
| Ian Somerville | ... | thanks |
| Bill Summers | ... | thanks |
| Ann Swan | ... | thanks |
| Katrin Swan | ... | thanks |
| Mairi Swan | ... | thanks |
| Paddy Swan | ... | thanks |
| Claire Wiles | ... | thanks: VFG |
Production Companies
- Scottish Screen
- UK Film Council
- Bord Scannán na hÉireann / The Irish Film Board
- Momentum Pictures (in association with)
- PFP Films (in association with)
- Temple Films (in association with)
- Dumfries & Galloway Council (with the support of)
- South West Scotland Screen Commission (with the support of)
- Scottish Enterprise Dumfries & Galloway (with the support of)
- UK Film Council's New Cinema Fund (with the support of)
Distributors
- Europa Filmes (2004) (Brazil) (DVD)
- Alliance Atlantis Communications (Canada) (theatrical)
- CDI Films (2003) (Argentina) (theatrical)
- Concorde Filmverleih (2003) (Germany) (theatrical)
- Frenetic Films (2003) (Switzerland) (theatrical)
- Lucky Red (2002) (Italy) (theatrical)
- Mars Distribution (2003) (France) (theatrical)
- Miramax (2003) (United States) (theatrical)
- Pan Terra (2003) (Russia) (theatrical)
- Paradiso Entertainment (2003) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
- Solar Films (2003) (Philippines) (theatrical)
- Toshiba Entertainment (2003) (Japan) (theatrical)
- With Cinema (2004) (South Korea) (theatrical)
- All Media Company (2010) (Russia)
- Alliance Atlantis Home Video (2004) (Canada) (DVD)
- BBC Two (2016) (United Kingdom) (tv)
- Concorde Home Entertainment (2003) (Germany) (DVD) (retail)
- Dendy Films (2004) (Australia) (DVD)
- EuroVideo (2003) (Germany) (DVD) (rental)
- FS Film (2004) (Finland) (DVD) (VHS)
- Momentum Pictures (2002) (United Kingdom)
- Paradiso Home Entertainment (2003) (Netherlands) (DVD) (VHS)
- Transeuropa Video Entertainment (TVE) (2004) (Argentina) (DVD)
- Transeuropa Video Entertainment (TVE) (2004) (Argentina) (VHS)
- Warner Home Video (2003) (Switzerland) (DVD)
- Yleisradio (YLE) (2007) (Finland) (tv)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- AON (insurance)
- Aberdour Hotel (thanks)
- Aeroshoot Film Services (facilities vehicles)
- An Grianan Theatre, Donegal (thanks)
- Annan Road Laundry (thanks)
- Ardmore Sound (dubbing studios)
- Ardmore Sound (sound re-recording)
- Atlas Security (security)
- Barend Holiday Park (thanks)
- Big Fish Films (thanks)
- Bord Scannán na hÉireann / The Irish Film Board (made with the support of)
- British Red Cross (thanks)
- Burns Street Activity Centre (thanks)
- Cairndale Hotel (thanks)
- City Arts Centre, Dublin (thanks)
- City Arts Theatre, Cork (thanks)
- Classic Car Hire (action vehicles)
- Cork Corcadorca (thanks)
- Creature Feature (animal agency)
- Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast (thanks)
- Descriptive Video Works (descriptive video)
- Digital Film Lab London (digital laboratory)
- Dinks (thanks)
- Dumfries & Galloway Council (made with the support of)
- Edit Hire Post Production Services (thanks)
- Emma Chapman Publicity (publicity)
- Fatts (post-production script services)
- Film Council Development Fund (made with the support of)
- Film Finances (completion guarantee)
- Galway Arts College (thanks)
- Glasgow Film Office (special thanks)
- Glasgow Film Theatre (thanks)
- Goldcrest Post Production London (adr and foley facilities)
- Hullabaloo Studios (thanks)
- ISO (titles)
- International Committee of the Red Cross (thanks)
- Irish Film Archive (thanks)
- Knightswood Laundry (thanks)
- Lakeside Casting (thanks)
- National Lottery (supported by)
- New Cinema Fund (made with the support of)
- North Lanarkshire Council (thanks)
- Olswang (lawyers)
- Paramount Pictures (film clips "The Bells of St. Mary's" courtesy of)
- Robert Burns Centre (thanks)
- Royal Scottish National Orchestra (orchestra)
- Sandbar (thanks)
- Savalas Audio Post-Production (sound post-production)
- Scottish Enterprise Dumfries & Galloway (made with the support of)
- Scottish Screen (supported by)
- Shortridge Laundries (thanks)
- Soho Computamatch (negative cutting)
- Soho Images (film laboratory)
- South West Scotland Screen Commission (made with the support of)
- Sprockets and Bytes (thanks)
- Summerlee Heritage Centre (thanks)
- The Globe Inn (thanks)
- Thistle Catering (catering)
- V.F.G. (camera and lighting equipment)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
A thoroughly mind-provoking film about 3 young women who, under tragic circumstances, see themselves cast away to a Magdalene Asylum for young women in 1964. One of many like institutions, the asylums are run like prisons and young girls are forced to do workhouse laundry and hard labor. The asylum, one of many that existed in theocratic Catholic Ireland, is for supposedly 'fallen' women. Here, young girls are imprisoned indefinitely and endure agonizing punishments and a long, harsh working system which leaves them physically drained and mentally damaged. As the girls bond together, it soon becomes clear that the only way out of the Magdalene convent is to escape, but with twisted Sister Bridget running the wing, any chances seem limited... Written by Anonymous |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | In a place that defied belief their only hope was each other. See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
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Additional Details
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Box Office
| Opening Weekend United Kingdom | GBP88,315, 01 Nov 2002 |
| Cumulative Worldwide Gross | $15,722,258, 06 Nov 2003 |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | Peter Mullan has said that the film was initially made because victims of Magdalene Asylums had no closure. They hadn't received any recognition, compensation, or apology. Many remained lifelong devout Catholics. See more » |
| Goofs | In the beginning, a man plays a Taylor acoustic guitar. Taylor Guitars was established in 1974. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in The 2004 IFP/West Independent Spirit Awards (2004). See more » |
| Soundtracks | The Well Below the Valley See more » |
| Crazy Credits | Thanks to ... Andy and Marco at Edit-Hire Post Production Services ... all at the Glasgow Film Theatre ... Lee at Lynx ... all the gardeners ... the people of Dumfries ... and all at VFG. See more » |
| Quotes |
Bernadette:
Having a baby's not a crime. Rose: Having a baby before you're married is a mortal sin! Bernadette: I'd commit any sin, mortal or otherwise, to get the hell out of here. See more » |