The Bay Boy

It's 1937 Glace Bay, Nova Scotia. It's a mining town at the edge of nowhere. Donald Campbell (Kiefer Sutherland)'s father (Peter Donat) had lost his soft drink factory during the Depression. His mother (Liv Ullmann) is keeping the family afloat. His brother Joe is mentally handicap. He's a Roman Catholic altar boy infatuated with Saxon Coldwell (Leah Pinsent). Joe dies. Donald witnesses Saxon's angry dad Sergeant Tom Coldwell (Alan Scarfe) kill his landlord, an elderly Jewish couple. He goes to find Chief McInnes but doesn't tell him about Coldwell. He kisses Saxon's sister Dianna while still in love with Saxon. He is haunted by the murders and in fear of Tom Coldwell. The visiting priest tries to molest him while away and spending the night in the same bed together. He becomes disillusioned with the church.

It's one of Kiefer Sutherland's early roles. He does a fine job. Writer/director Daniel Petrie has filled it with his personal experiences in this semi-autobiographical film. In fact, it's overloaded with them. There are way too many things. It should simply concentrate on the murders and the Coldwells. If it wants to do the priest route, it should limit it to that part and make this a sexual coming-of-age story. Putting them together is too much and doesn't allow each story to develop.

I remember when I was little & they were filming the Bay Boy in Glace Bay & it was very cool to have a movie shoot on the street where our church was. At the time though I was all - Keifer Who? The movie really is fantastic and funny and thrilling but at the time the thrill was that it was shot in our home town. They even had the premiere at the Savoy Theater in Glace Bay which for Glace Bay was a pretty big deal. Though not entirely surprising. The Writer / Director Daniel Petrie was born in Glace Bay.

The CBC had aired this movie many times over the years. So it is quite possible it will air again. Luckily I still have a copy on tape. I've seen copies in the video store (not on DVD mind you - although it very well may be on DVD by now - I am not sure).

A must see. Amazon.ca has the VHS listed.

This film is superb in every way.... story, writing, direction, casting.... everything! But, alas, it was seen but once.... one time only on Showtime... and then desappeared forever from the tv scene. Something about it's Canadian genesis, some say, but if ever there was a movie that would be a real blockbuster, The Bay Boy is that film. Incredibly, I happened to see the film in it's one and only showing on cable television, back in 1984 or 85. Now, it is available only on VHS but I wait in hope that it will surface again on DVD.

I repeat, this movie is a really great film....... four stars or better!!!

My Grandfather, John Wilson Sr, had a few guest appearances in this movie, i discovered this when he sadly passed away in 2018, i miss you so much. im definitely going to watch this movie again

This is a thoroughly well-made Canadian movie, with an unusually high number of memorable scenes, thanks to a well-written script and solid acting from all involved. And although a coming-of-age drama with many emotional scenes, there are well-placed lighthearted moments that help to keep the movie from getting too "heavy". All-in-all, it's a real success, and is yet another example of a lesser known movie that outshines most of the box office blockbusters.