Sling Blade
Crime, Drama, Thriller
Buena Vista  (1996) 135 mins Not Rated

8.0 (36,842 votes)
Karl Childers is a developmentally retarded man who has spent every waking hour since the age of 12 in a psychiatric institution. He is institutionalized for killing his own mother and her lover. The movie is about his release from captivity and his discovery of himself and a young boy with whom he befriends. The boy's mother is in an abusive relationship that affects Karl's young friend negatively and he must make things right for the boy in order to make things right for himself and ultimately return to captivity....

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Cast and Crew
Lucas Black  ......  Frank Wheatley
Billy Bob Thornton  ......  Karl Childers
Natalie Canerday  ......  Linda Wheatley
Robert Duvall  ......  Frank Childers
John Ritter  ......  Vaughan Cunningham
J.T. Walsh  ......  Charles Bushman
Director  .....  Billy Bob Thornton
Producer  .....  Brandon Rosser; Larry Meistrich; David L. Bushell
Writer  .....  Billy Bob Thornton
Cinematography  .....  Barry Markowitz
Musician  .....  Daniel Lanois
Notes
Goofs:
Continuity: When Randy, one of the guitarists, reacts to Doyle's demands to leave, Randy is seen from behind putting on his coat. However, when he walks out the door, the coat is draped over his arm. (more)

Trivia:
In order to make his walk more awkward and consistent, Billy Bob Thornton placed crushed glass in his shoes. (more)

Filming Locations:
Benton, Arkansas, USA (more)

Quotes:
Doyle: I don't mean to be so... Assholish I guess is a good word for it. (more)

Awards:
Won Oscar. Another 11 wins & 9 nominations (more)