The Boys of St. Vincent

1992

3h 20m

Drama

List

100%

7 Reviews

Tomatometer

80%

1,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

In the 1970s, boys at St. Vincent's, a Roman Catholic orphanage, are repeatedly victimized emotionally and physically by the brutal superintendent, Brother Lavin (Henry Czerny), as well as by other members of the clergy. One of Brother Lavin's abused charges is 10-year-old Kevin (Johnny Morina), who at one point tries to escape from a place that no one would ever make the mistake of calling a home. Eventually the orphanage's secrets are laid bare, but the church seeks to cover up the scandal.

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Audience Member

Most disturbing movie I've ever seen in my life. Watched it on prime thinking it was a documentary. Should have been illegal to watch. The movie will open your eyes to what's been going on in the Catholic church for decades and continues to this day and show how powerful the church is politically with children being the collateral damage.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/22/23

Full Review

Audience Member

If you thought "Spotlight" was wrenching, get ready for a real gut punch from this Canadian drama about abuse in a church orphanage! The first two-hour part focuses on the abuse and the second part focuses on the fall out many years later as the children have grown into young adults. The injustice is transporting. The always excellent Henry Czerny gives a compelling performance as the overbearing Brother Lavin, the primary motivator at the orphanage. Johnny Morina is brilliant as one of the primary victims of the brothers. The film is a bit low-budget, apparently made for Canadian television, but is nevertheless well crafted. "The Boys of St. Vincent" is moving, terrifying and insightful. Highly recommended.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/01/23

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Audience Member

really good story and a great performance from Czenry

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

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Audience Member

Based on true events, this unrelenting (and often graphic) look at sexual abuse in a Catholic orphanage is both a powerful and well-made film. It's Czerny's incredible and terrifying performance as a tormented priest that really makes it worth watching.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/18/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I have watched this movie a number of times and now finally own a copy of it. I think that it is one of the best movies that were made in Canada for a very long time. I went through something similar in my childhood and this movie actually helped me to deal with the problem. The boys in the movie did an amazing job and handled the stuff like adults. I can understand why they needed to have child Psychologists on the set as they filmed this kind of movie. I would definitely recommend people go out and get this movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/26/23

Full Review

Audience Member

really good story and a great performance from Czenry

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/03/23

Full Review

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John N. Smith

Director

Henry Czerny

Brother Peter Lavin

Johnny Morina

Kevin Reevey

Brian Dooley

Detective Noseworthy

Brian Dodd

Steven Lunny

Philip Dinn

Mike Finn

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David Ansen

Newsweek

You may find yourself holding your breath through much of The Boys of St. Vincent. It's a shock to see this level of emotional honesty on TV.

Feb 16, 2018

Full Review

Marc Savlov

Austin Chronicle

Rated: 3/5

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: A

Jan 1, 1992

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 3/5

Jul 3, 2005

Full Review

Michael Szymanski

Zap2it.com

Rated: 4/5

Jun 1, 2005

Full Review

Sarah Chauncey

Reel.com

Exceptional production, absolutely terrifying

Rated: 5/5

Jun 4, 2004

Full Review

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Synopsis

In the 1970s, boys at St. Vincent's, a Roman Catholic orphanage, are repeatedly victimized emotionally and physically by the brutal superintendent, Brother Lavin (Henry Czerny), as well as by other members of the clergy. One of Brother Lavin's abused charges is 10-year-old Kevin (Johnny Morina), who at one point tries to escape from a place that no one would ever make the mistake of calling a home. Eventually the orphanage's secrets are laid bare, but the church seeks to cover up the scandal.

Director: John N. Smith
Screenwriter: Des Walsh, John N. Smith, Sam Grana
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 6, 2018
Runtime: 3h 20m

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