Digger (1993 film)
Digger | |
---|---|
Directed by | Rob Turner |
Written by | Rodney Gibbons |
Produced by | Robert K. Maclean |
Starring | Michael Chandler |
Music by | Todd Boekelheide |
Production companies | Circle Northwood Westcom Entertainment Group |
Distributed by | Skouras Pictures |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 95 minutes |
Country | Canada |
Language | English |
Digger is a Canadian
Plot
Digger (Adam Hann-Byrd), a 12-year old boy, is sent to live with his aunt Anna (Barbara Williams) and uncle Sam (Timothy Bottoms) when his parents break up. He befriends Billy (Joshua Jackson), a dying boy who has an eerie connection with nature, while his widowed grandmother Bea (Olympia Dukakis) enters a new romance with Arthur (Leslie Nielsen).[2]
Cast
- Adam Hann-Byrd as Digger
- Joshua Jackson as Billy
- Timothy Bottoms as Sam Corlett
- Barbara Williams as Anna Corlett
- Olympia Dukakis as Bea
- Leslie Nielsen as Arthur Evrensel
Production
The film was shot in British Columbia in fall 1992.[3] The screenplay was based on the real childhood experiences of writer Rodney Gibbons.[4] It was originally set in the Isle of Man, Gibbons' childhood home,[4] but the setting was ultimately changed to British Columbia's Gulf Islands.[5]
Release
The film premiered on September 30, 1993, as the opening film of the Vancouver International Film Festival,[6] before opening commercially on April 22, 1994.[4]
Critical response
Michael Reid of the
Peter Birnie of the Vancouver Sun wrote that "while Digger is that rare find, a family movie filled with positive values, it's also paced so slowly that kids could get bored. The script by Rodney Gibbons is guilty of making too much of the metaphysics between the boys, leading us in ethereal directions when what's needed is a stronger plotline."[5]
Awards
The film received two
References
- ^ Peter Birnie, "Digger unearths spirit of Olympia".. Vancouver Sun, October 7, 1993.
- ^ Victoria Times-Colonist, April 23, 1994.
- ^ Lynne McNamara, "Rob Turner's plans come full circle now: He's set to direct a movie". The Province, September 4, 1992.
- ^ Victoria Times-Colonist, April 23, 1994.
- ^ a b Peter Birnie, "Digger light, lovely but doesn't fly". Vancouver Sun, April 22, 1994.
- ^ Lynne McNamara, "Digger opens film festival". The Province, September 17, 1993.
- ^ "The Lotus Eaters strong contender at Genies". The Globe and Mail, December 11, 1993.
External links
- Digger at IMDb