I have the DVD of this movie, and it is not to be ignored. I respond to Nicholas Rhodes form Paris, France, about 2 points:
Newfoundland and Quebec were 2 Canadian provinces where the Roman Catholic Church pretty much dominated social life for several centuries, until recent times. The Church had ample political clout to get its way more often than not.
All the posts so far have overlooked the one honorable Brother at St. Vincent: Brother McLaverty. Near the end of Part 1, McLaverty caught Lavin in the act of sodomizing Kevin Reevey, then confronted him as no one else - boy or Brother - dared (see Memorable Quotes). McLaverty had the respect of all the boys, and more than a few doubts about some of his fellow Brothers. He walked out in disgust from a celebration that was becoming too ribald for his liking. Next morning, saying grace at breakfast, he tacked on his own little addendum, and answered Lavin's challenge about it with a noncommittal "Just rambling". McLaverty deserved to become the next Superintendent after Lavin; I was disappointed that he did not - and was not even mentioned in Part 2.
Other upstanding characters include: Detective Noseworthy (nothing I can add to what's already been said); Mike Finn, the semi-literate janitor who was fired after taking the beaten Kevin to the doctor; the social worker who was denied access to St. Vincent, although she was responsible for the boys there; and the inquiry commission counsel who asked all the pointed questions.
- "The sets do appear to be dreary cold and dismal" - That's Canadian winter for you.
- The accent of Lavin's wife, Chantal: Lise Roy, who played the part, is "Québécoise", or French-Canadian.
Newfoundland and Quebec were 2 Canadian provinces where the Roman Catholic Church pretty much dominated social life for several centuries, until recent times. The Church had ample political clout to get its way more often than not.
All the posts so far have overlooked the one honorable Brother at St. Vincent: Brother McLaverty. Near the end of Part 1, McLaverty caught Lavin in the act of sodomizing Kevin Reevey, then confronted him as no one else - boy or Brother - dared (see Memorable Quotes). McLaverty had the respect of all the boys, and more than a few doubts about some of his fellow Brothers. He walked out in disgust from a celebration that was becoming too ribald for his liking. Next morning, saying grace at breakfast, he tacked on his own little addendum, and answered Lavin's challenge about it with a noncommittal "Just rambling". McLaverty deserved to become the next Superintendent after Lavin; I was disappointed that he did not - and was not even mentioned in Part 2.
Other upstanding characters include: Detective Noseworthy (nothing I can add to what's already been said); Mike Finn, the semi-literate janitor who was fired after taking the beaten Kevin to the doctor; the social worker who was denied access to St. Vincent, although she was responsible for the boys there; and the inquiry commission counsel who asked all the pointed questions.