Storm Boy (2019 film)
| Industry | Film production |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Adelaide , Australia |
| Products | Films |
Storm Boy is a 2019 Australian family drama film adapted from the 1964 novella authored by Colin Thiele. Directed by Shawn Seet, the movie features performances by Geoffrey Rush and Jai Courtney. This version serves as a remake of the original 1976 film adaptation.
Plot
The narrative follows a young boy living along a secluded coastline in Southern Australia who saves three orphaned pelicans, forming a deep connection with the birds.
Cast
- Geoffrey Rush portraying Michael "Storm Boy" Kingley
- Finn Little as Storm Boy
- Edward Boehm playing Young Storm Boy
- Jai Courtney in the role of Tom "Hideaway Tom"
- Trevor Jamieson as Bill "Fingerbone Bill"
- Morgan Davies cast as Madeline
- Erik Thomson appearing as Malcom Downer
- David Gulpilil portraying Fingerbone Bill's Father
- Simone Annan as Murujuga Lawyer
- Thibul Nettle credited as Police Officer (under the name Stinga-T)
- Additional supporting parts include local actors representing community figures and law enforcement personnel.
Production
Produced by Ambience Entertainment, Storm Boy was shot in July and August 2017 at locations including the Coorong and Adelaide, South Australia. The film features a Hudson Hornet supplied by a South Australian automobile collector.
Release
The movie was initially released in Australia and New Zealand on 17 January 2019, followed shortly after by a release in Poland on 19 January 2019, and subsequently in the United States on 5 April 2019.
Box office
Debuting across 320 theatres in Australia, Storm Boy earned $874,000 (USD) during its opening weekend and accumulated $3.5 million within the domestic market. Combined earnings from Poland and New Zealand exceeded $600,000 during their January releases. The U.S. box office contributed $71,000, bringing the global total to around $4.2 million.
Critical response
On Rotten Tomatoes, Storm Boy holds an approval rating based on reviews, with an average score reflecting generally positive feedback. The consensus highlights that although it does not entirely replicate the original film’s impact, it maintains much of its emotional resonance. According to Metacritic, it has a weighted average score of 67 out of 100 from seven critics, signifying "generally favorable reviews."
Awards
| Award | Category | Recipient | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Prize | Best Film | Shawn Seet | Template:Nom |
| FCCA Awards | Best Original Score | Alan John | Template:Nom |
| SPA Award | Best Feature Film Production | Ambience Entertainment | Template:Nom |
| Children's Jury Main Prize | Best Children's Performance | Finn Little | Template:Won |