IMDb > Sling Blade (1996)
Sling Blade
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Sling Blade (1996) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 28 | slideshow) Videos (see all 8 NEW)
Sling Blade (1996) -- 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.
Sling Blade (1996) -- Clip: Lunch with Vaughn, post
Sling Blade (1996) -- Sinematurk - Trailer (Flash)
Sling Blade (1996) -- MyMovieScripts.com - Trailer (Flash)
Sling Blade (1996) -- Clip: Good thoughts, post

Overview

User Rating:
8.0/10   39,627 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 2% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Billy Bob Thornton
Writers (WGA):
Billy Bob Thornton (play)
Billy Bob Thornton (screenplay)
Contact:
View company contact information for Sling Blade on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
27 November 1996 (USA) more
Genre:
Drama more
Tagline:
Sometimes a hero comes from the most unlikely place. more
Plot:
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. full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
Won Oscar. Another 11 wins & 9 nominations more
User Comments:
Amazing and Mesmerizing more (263 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
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Additional Details

MPAA:
Rated R for strong language, including descriptions of violent and sexual behavior.
Runtime:
135 min | 148 min (Director's cut)
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Dolby Digital
Certification:
Canada:14A (original rating) | Iceland:12 | Netherlands:16 (original rating) | Netherlands:6 (re-rating) | USA:Not Rated (director's cut) | South Korea:15 | Singapore:NC-16 (re-rating) | Argentina:16 | Australia:MA (re-rating) | Australia:M (original rating) | Chile:18 | Finland:K-12 | Hong Kong:IIB | Norway:11 | Portugal:M/16 | Singapore:PG (cut) | Spain:18 | Sweden:11 | UK:15 | USA:R
Filming Locations:
Benton, Arkansas, USA more
Company:
Miramax Films more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Harvey Weinstein - then co-chairman of Miramax - only saw the first 30 minutes of Sling Blade (1996) when he agreed to pay $10m for the rights to the film. He later regretted this and forced Billy Bob Thornton to cut about 20 minutes from the movie. more
Goofs:
Continuity: When Karl is talking to the Frostee Cream Boy, there are no cars on the road behind him. But whenever the camera is aimed at the Frostee Cream, there is a lot of traffic on the road reflected in the window. Thornton points out in the DVD commentary that this is because the local police had another pressing issue the day they filmed Jim Jarmusch, and they couldn't be there to stop traffic. more
Quotes:
Charles Bushman: There was a young man by the name of John Leggit Hunter who ran a filling station business, a good filling station business and he's one of these young men we all come across in life, I'm sure you've come across 'em, who did not deserve what he had and what he had was a beautiful young bride named Sarah... more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in The Cook (2008/I) more
Soundtrack:
Shenandoah more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
56 out of 71 people found the following comment useful.
Amazing and Mesmerizing, 17 April 2003
Author: Mark Hulme from Manchester, England

This film is a perfect example of how a film should be made. It has everything, good cast, good script, good performances everything is perfect. This has to be one of my all time favourite films and Billy Bob Thornton is a good a writer and director as he is an actor. The Oscar for best adapted screenplay was well deserved and it shocks me that Billy Bob didn't win the oscar for best actor. I bought this film on DVD and it is a shame you do not get any features but I hope they will release a special edition with contribution from the writer, actor and director himself. I urge everyone to watch this film because it is funny, emotional, enjoyable and just plain brilliant. 10/10

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Sling Blade (1996)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Other dark films set in the south. . . . . three_eyed_denim
I didn't understand the joke Karl's boss told at work while eating DRose23
Did Doyle want to Die? (Spoilers) mtbaker-1
What's his mental illness vera-horvath
Sling Blade has a Halo Song beastinem
Tragic about his baby brother. peep4000
more

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