The Fruit Machine (1988 film)
The Fruit Machine Wonderland (USA) | |
---|---|
Directed by | Philip Saville |
Written by | Frank Clarke |
Produced by | Steve Morrison |
Starring | Emile Charles Tony Forsyth Robert Stephens Robbie Coltrane Bruce Payne |
Cinematography | Dick Pope |
Edited by | Richard Bedford |
Music by | Hans Zimmer |
Distributed by | Vestron Video Pro-Fun Media |
Release date | 17 August 1988 (Australia) |
Running time | 103 minutes |
Country | United Kingdom |
Language | English |
The Fruit Machine (known as Wonderland in the
The film uses a combination of adventure,
Plot
Eddie and Michael are two 16-year-old best friends on the brink of adulthood. They are both gay, but hold diametrically opposed outlooks on life. Eddie likes watching old films on video with his mother. Michael likes
Cast
- Emile Charles - Eddie
- Tony Forsyth - Michael
- Robert Stephens - Vincent
- Robbie Coltrane - "Annabelle"
- Clare Higgins- Eve
- Bruce Payne - Echo
- Carsten Norgaard - Dolphin Man
- Kim Christie - Jean
- Louis Emerick - Billy
- Julie Graham - Hazel
- Forbes Collins - John Schlesinger
Production
Writing
The film's screenwriter, Frank Clarke said "Echo the murderer signifies HIV/AIDS, and the dolphinarium is the sanctuary from it'.[2]
Casting
The younger brother of actor Craig Charles, Emile Charles plays the role of Eddie.
Filming
The film was shot on location in Liverpool, Brighton and London. Filming began in October 1987.[3] Included were interior and main entrance scenes at the Britannia Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool. Flamingo Land in Kirby Misperton, North Yorkshire was used for the fun park known as Wonderland.
Music
The soundtrack was written by then newcomer Hans Zimmer. A soundtrack has never officially been released; however a 20-minute piece entitled The Fruit Machine Suite appears on the album HANS ZIMMER: The British Years, a sampling of the composer's earlier film work.
The disco dance sequence used music from both
Home media
The film has had two DVD releases. In the UK on 16 July 2007 and on 9 April 2009, the German-based Pro-Fun Media released a region free digitally remastered edition in Anamorphic widescreen (1.66:1), including booklet and trailer. A North American Region 1 DVD version never materialised, only the original VHS titled Wonderland.
Reception
A reviewer for London's
References
- ^ a b "The Fruit Machine". Time Out. London. Retrieved 31 August 2011.
- ^ Catherine Jones. "Liverpool screenwriter Frank Clarke recalls the creation of his 1988 movie The Fruit Machine". Liverpool Echo.
- ^ "Ideal scores on Fruit Machine". Screen International (620 ed.). 3 October 1987. p. 2.
- ^ "Paul Lekakis". JOYful Days. 29 January 2016. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
- ^ "Fruit Machine (The)". cgiii.com. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
- ^ Hall, David. "The Fruit Machine / aka: Wonderland - US". gaycelluloid.com. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
- ^ "The Fruit Machine". Screen International (675 ed.). 22 October 1988. p. 377.
- ^ "The Fruit Machine". Variety (331(6) ed.). 1 June 1988. p. 12.
- ^ Kehr, David (4 November 1988). "Wonderland". Chicago Tribune.
- ^ Hinson, Hal (3 June 1989). "Allies in 'Wonderland'". The Washington Post.
- The New York Times / The Fruit Machine
- TimeOut London / The Fruit Machine
- Brighton Lesbian and Gay Switchboard Youth Project / "Are there any good films/videos/dvds I can watch?"
- Hans Zimmer: The British Years on Soundtrack.net