IMDb > A History of Violence (2005)
A History of Violence
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A History of Violence (2005) More at IMDbPro »

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A History of Violence (2005) -- A mild-mannered man becomes a local hero through an act of violence, which sets off repercussions that will shake his family to its very core.
A History of Violence (2005) -- Clip: Witness Protection
A History of Violence (2005) -- A mild-mannered man becomes a local hero through an act of violence, which sets off repercussions that will shake his family to its very core.
A History of Violence (2005) -- Trailerfan.com - Trailer (Flash)
A History of Violence (2005) -- Sinematurk - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
7.6/10   70,314 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 75% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
David Cronenberg
Writers (WGA):
John Wagner (graphic novel) and
Vince Locke (graphic novel) ...
more
Contact:
View company contact information for A History of Violence on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
30 September 2005 (USA) more
Genre:
Crime | Drama | Thriller more
Tagline:
Everyone has something to hide. more
Plot:
A mild-mannered man becomes a local hero through an act of violence, which sets off repercussions that will shake his family to its very core. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
Awards:
Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 26 wins & 31 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(63 articles)
John C. Reilly and Mary-Louise Parker Go 'Red'
 (From Cinematical. 5 November 2009, 4:32 PM, PST)
AFI Fest 2009: Christopher Plummer, Viggo Mortensen Tributes
 (From Alternative Film Guide. 24 October 2009, 10:57 PM, PDT)
User Comments:
Cronenberg hits a deep nerve brilliantly more (1048 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Viggo Mortensen ... Tom Stall

Maria Bello ... Edie Stall

Ed Harris ... Carl Fogarty

William Hurt ... Richie Cusack

Ashton Holmes ... Jack Stall
Peter MacNeill ... Sheriff Sam Carney

Stephen McHattie ... Leland

Greg Bryk ... Billy

Kyle Schmid ... Bobby

Sumela Kay ... Judy Danvers
Gerry Quigley ... Mick
Deborah Drakeford ... Charlotte
Heidi Hayes ... Sarah Stall

Aidan Devine ... Charlie Roarke
Bill MacDonald ... Frank Mulligan
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
A History of Violence (Germany)
A History of Violence (Italy) [it]
A History of Violence (France) [fr]
Historia przemocy (Poland) [pl]
Historia shel Alimoot (Israel: Hebrew title) [iw]
Marcas da Violência (Brazil) [pt]
Povijest nasilja (Croatia) [hr]
Siddetin tarihçesi (Turkey: Turkish title) [tr]
To telos tis vias (Greece) [el]
Una historia de violencia (Spain) [es]
Una historia violenta (Argentina) [es]
Une histoire de violence (Canada: French title) [fr]
more
MPAA:
Rated R for strong brutal violence, graphic sexuality, nudity, language and some drug use.
Parents Guide:
View content advisory for parents
Runtime:
96 min
Country:
USA | Germany
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS
Certification:
Finland:K-15 | Canada:16+ (Quebec) | Canada:18A (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Ontario) | Philippines:R-13 (cut) | Australia:MA | Singapore:R21 | Switzerland:16 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:16 (canton of Vaud) | Netherlands:16 | Argentina:16 | France:-12 | Spain:18 | South Korea:18 | Hong Kong:III | Japan:R-15 | Indonesia:Dewasa | Czech Republic:15 | Mexico:C | Brazil:18 | Sweden:15 | Australia:R (original rating) | New Zealand:R18 | Malaysia:(Banned) | Portugal:M/16 | Iceland:16 | Germany:18 (bw) | Italy:T (re-rated) | Italy:VM14 (original rating) | USA:R (certificate #41604) | Israel:16 | UK:18 | Ireland:18 | Norway:18
Filming Locations:
King City, Ontario, Canada more
Company:
New Line Productions more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The fictitious town that the film is set in (Millbrook, Indiana) is named after the town where the film was actually shot (Millbrook, Ontario, Canada). The scenes set in Philadelphia were actually shot in Toronto, Canada. more
Goofs:
Continuity: When the sheriff is talking to Tom and Edie on the couch, her right arm is between them. The shot cuts to the sheriff and when it comes back, her arm is around Tom's shoulders. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
William Orser: So we keep headin' east?
Leland Jones: Yeah, that's the idea.
William Orser: Stay out of the big cities?
Leland Jones: Uh-huh.
more
Movie Connections:
References C'era una volta il West (1968) more
Soundtrack:
Club Hoppin' more

FAQ

Is A History of Violence based on a book?
What's the deal with the second sex scene? It seemed random and out of place.
Why does Bobby try to goad Jack into starting a fight, instead of just beating him up?
more

User Comments

   (Comment on this title)
308 out of 471 people found the following comment useful.
Cronenberg hits a deep nerve brilliantly, 29 September 2005
10/10
Author: BJ Galler-Smith from Canada

I expected bloody senselessness and instead saw a film laden with the deepest human emotions. It was real. From youthful loving to hard violence, from simple innocent joys to the full depth of adult violence and sex, and ultimate redemption, this film has it all. Every piece of clothing and set, every camera angle and lighting propelled the story relentlessly. I was never bored, and never overwhelmed with overdone violence. Nothing was gratuitous. Viggo Mortensen proved he's one of the finest actors to come along in a long while. Maria Bello carries so much on her talented shoulders. With Mortensen she shines with alternately warming and heartbreaking truthfulness. Ed Harris was delightfully menacing, and William Hurt gave the liveliest and best performance I've seen from him.

This movie is about truth and redemption. It's the best film I've seen in a very long time. Kudos to Cronenberg, Mortensen, Bello, and all the cast and crew for what was for me a nearly perfect movie.

See it, then see it again. It's brilliant.

Was the above comment useful to you?
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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for A History of Violence (2005)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
It's Just Not Believable mjcewl1284
Top 10 Cult Movies of the Decade imaintdan
Significance of the truck? sleizman88
Purpose of 'Fantasy-like' Scenes of Violence Pearl_Jade
Not a good movie at all. oyster_without_soul
more

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