The Boy in Blue

The Boy in Blue

1986 "Every era has it's own kind of hero."
The Boy in Blue
The Boy in Blue

The Boy in Blue

5.3 | 1h40m | R | en | Drama

Ned Hanlan was Canada's most successful sculling champion at the turn of the 20th century. This dramatization of his life begins in his youth, when the wild young man is informally adopted by a gambler who promotes Ned on the sculling circuit, betting on the boy's rowing skills solely to make money off him. Later, a ruthless businessman named Knox takes over Ned's career, but when Ned realizes how dishonest Knox is, he finds another manager. Walter is an inventor and the first honest man Ned has dealt with in his career and, under Walter's guidance, Ned rises to great success in the sculling world.

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5.3 | 1h40m | R | en | Drama | More Info
Released: January. 17,1986 | Released Producted By: 20th Century Fox , Téléfilm Canada Country: Canada Budget: 0 Revenue: 0 Official Website:
Synopsis

Ned Hanlan was Canada's most successful sculling champion at the turn of the 20th century. This dramatization of his life begins in his youth, when the wild young man is informally adopted by a gambler who promotes Ned on the sculling circuit, betting on the boy's rowing skills solely to make money off him. Later, a ruthless businessman named Knox takes over Ned's career, but when Ned realizes how dishonest Knox is, he finds another manager. Walter is an inventor and the first honest man Ned has dealt with in his career and, under Walter's guidance, Ned rises to great success in the sculling world.

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Cast

Nicolas Cage , Cynthia Dale , Christopher Plummer

Director

Rejean Brochu

Producted By

20th Century Fox , Téléfilm Canada

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Reviews

duvernetphotography It isn't Hollywood, thank goodness. Cage is just a baby and still fresh looking incredibly fit. Not quite so today! Some great talent for sure. The story is basically true and Ned Hanlan was an arrogant hot head who proved to the world what a professional champion could do. He was undefeated and took on the world. Reports of the time did say, the more clothes he took off, the bigger he looked. He was a rascal who sometimes toyed with his competition. I love the local color, including the Segwun, the oldest operating commercial screw steamship in North America. Book your tickets today! I loved the scene showing the scull. A beautiful piece of craftsmanship. Some of the race scenes are definitely a bit lame. The pace of the rowing is like a walk in the park and it certainly feels staged. Hanlan's Point in Toronto is famous and infamous! Rowing is a magnificent sport. It combines incredible fitness, cutting edge technology and a fierce will to win.
stealthjunk Warning - Spoilers The Boy in Blue is a representation of the life of Ned Hanlen - a rowing champion during the late 19th century. Learning his craft as a whiskey runner Ned moves into the world of high stakes rowing (popular during the era) and through love and emotional growth becomes a champion.While well done for a period piece the life of Ned Hanlen, as told in The Boy in Blue, does not represent a story compelling enough to carry an entire movie. Interesting in it's technical details (I've done a small amount of rowing and thought the sport was well captured) the amount of drama in Mr. Hanlen's life just does not rise to the level needed to make the movie consistently interesting.David Naughton plays the sleazy manager/promoter (with the requisite Heart of Gold); Christopher Plummer plays the sleazy backer/gambler (no Heart of Gold) and Cynthia Dale plays the love interest. While mildly interesting the attempts at sabotage, thuggery and skulduggery just don't add up to a "movies worth" of a story.
stryder1 Unless you like movies about rowing, this movie is a little slow. The only thing this film has in common with Chariots of Fire is the fact that its a period piece. The film is predictable even if you never heard of Ned Hanlan. It's a little "sappy" at times. The acting is a bit over the top and wooden with little chemistry felt between Cage and Dale. SPOILER The training scene for the race on the Thames looked like it was stolen from one of the "Rocky" films but without the speed bag. If you like to be bored to tears or need a non-narcotic to fall asleep this would be a good film for you. ** out of *****
smothersnena Found this to be a most fascinating film and a sport I wonder, if anyone does today?? Ned really had some fortitude to go forth and not be struck down by bullies, which obviously were in this profession back then. I believe he was awesome to become a Champion rower on 3 continents. Wonder if anyone in this class today can do as well? Its truly a workout to stay in shape for such competition. I believe Cage did an excellent job in this film even if he was only 22 years old!!