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Home » Movies,Reviews

Song for a Raggy Boy (2003)

Submitted by skykid on Wednesday, 31 January 2007Comments

Song for a raggy boyI watched this movie with tears in my eyes. No other movie until know was able to make me feel such pain – almost physical just from watching the story that unfolds on the screen. With risk to repeat myself I must note that this was probably the hardest movie to watch from all I have seen until the moment.

I made few notes when it started – there were about the interesting characters, the song of Libera I noticed – but now I can not really write about that. Shocking, painful, cruel, realistic to the core – I can go on like this for a long time. The fact that “Song for a raggy boy” is based on a true story contributes to the powerful effect this movie has on its viewers.

The acting is quite good as well – so good that I felt like I knew some of the characters in person. The young actors were really convincing and I felt Delaney and Mercier almost like my friends. But let me tell you a bit more about the movie – it is set in a reformatory school run by the catholic church – as it often happens the boys who are send there find anything , but help and support – instead they are beaten and abused mentally and physically ( some even sexually ) from the priests. One of them Brother John is in charge of discipline – here is the line with which he tells the new teacher for the kind of job he is expected to do:

“The creatures you are going to teach are not to be confused with intelligent human beings.”

Only this line itself was enough for me to imagine the horrible manner in which the boys are treated. The new teacher however tried to change all that – and as the story unfolds I began to really like him – he was strict, but at the same time caring with the boys he taught. Brother John becomes his enemy almost from the very beginning and after failing to persuade the superior at the institution to dismiss the new teacher he directs his anger to the school pupils. You will have to watch the movie to find out how it all ends …

This movie gets 10 out of 10 for me – since it is sure one of the best ones I have ever watched.

Similar movies: Sleepers, Dead Poets Society

Watch the trailer below :

  • Alan Page
    This film is based on the second volume of Patrick Galvin's wonderful "Raggy Boy Trilogy". Although in the original book Liam Mercier is not beaten to death as he is in the film. So whether that's an addition made by the screenwriters or by Galvin himself is a moot point.
  • I did not even know that there is a book - and that the film is based on it. Thank you for the valuable insight Alan.
  • Christine, Liberia
    I saw this movie only yesterday, and I was soooo hurt. To think that it's based on a true story is hard to stomach what Mercier must have endured. I hope no other boy has to go through that sort or torture and that whoever commits such should be sent to the electric chair. This is horrifying and I just couldn't help but let the tears flow.
  • While reading your comment I watched the clip I made for the film once again - its just a few minutes - but got me quite emotional . I often refer to Song for a Raggy boy as the best drama ever made. Will try to update my review soon - as I intend to watch the film again in the next month or so
  • Yes, this is the most painful, and sad motion picture I've ever seen. Yes these things happened with impunity. The disturbed men,..and women that committed these crimes walk free.

    I speak from experience.
  • bestpi
    “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” Edmund Burke (1729-1797)

    Turning your head from such things will not keep them from happening. This movie is the worst kind. It is true.

    So much more of this exists than you can ever imagine, but I must ask you this. If you were Delaney or any other child in this circumstance, would your begging prayers be that no one looks, or that God be merciful and end your torture by taking your life?

    And if you look away, are you still a good man or part of the evil that you will not look upon.

    Strong questions to ask yourself. I know the answers for myself. This movie makes you evaluate yourself as well as the church. It is my opinion that man has taken control of the church. God still exists however. Just not there maybe.

    bestpi
  • Even so I do recommended you to see this movie - you will appreciate it - although the movie is not easy to watch indeed - still it is my favorite one as it evokes so many emotions .
  • Big Dog
    I will never watch this movie. It appears to be worse than Pixote and I don't think I can handle it. I hate when boys get hurt like that.
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