The Young Poisoner's Handbook (Original title)Le Manuel D'un Jeune Empoisonneur (Alternative title)Das Handbuch Des Jungen Giftmischers (Alternative title)
Dates: 1994 (Copyright), 15 September 1995 (Release)Countries: United Kingdom, Germany, FranceDirected by: Benjamin Ross
Synopsis: Satire on the norms of British life and medical practice. Black comedy based on a true story. Fourteen-year-old chemistry genius Graham lives with his father, stepmother and sister. Slowly he murders his stepmother with poisoned chocolates. After murdering his uncle as well, he is convicted and lands in a hospital for the criminally insane. His psychopath specialist Dr. Zeigler is fascinated by Graham's intelligence and believes in his ability to be cured. After seven years Graham is re-introduced into society. He secures a job in a photographic laboratory where he is soon lacing his colleagues' tea with thallium.
Genre: Crime
Subjects: Poisons, Psychopaths
Releases
Date: 15 September 1995Country: United KingdomRelease type: TheatricalFormat: 35mm Film - Colour - Metrocolor - Sound - Dolby SRRuntime: 98 mins 58 secs - Length: 8907 FeetDialogue (original): EnglishDistributor: Electric Pictures
Date: 2016Country: United KingdomRelease type: InternetFormat: not specified - Colour - SoundRuntime: 98 mins Dialogue (original): EnglishDistributor: BFIPlayer
Title: [Film Tutti i Film della Stagione - n43 Jan/Feb 2000: no known title]Article type: CreditsLanguage: Italian
In: Empire n120 June 1999 Page: 149
Title: Videos to buyAuthor: WESTBROOK, Caroline Article type: ReviewLanguage: English
Description: Review of video release.
In: Film Comment v32 n1 Jan/Feb 1996 Pages: 8-10
Title: Kind Hearts and CoronariesAuthor: KENNEDY, Harlan Article type: ReviewLanguage: English
Description: Review of THE YOUNG POISONER'S HANDBOOK: about the original story and the adaptation, about the character of Graham the poisoner and the character of the film
In: Empire n82 April 1996 Page: 108
Title: Video movies to rentAuthor: Nathan, IanArticle type: ReviewLanguage: English
Description: Review of video release.
In: Empire n76 October 1995 Page: 42
Title: New filmsAuthor: NEWMAN, Kim Article type: ReviewLanguage: English
In: Télérama n2388 18 Oct 1995 Page: 55
Title: [Télérama - n2388 18 Oct 1995: no known title]Author: SCHIDLOW, Joshka Article type: CreditsLanguage: French
In: Variety 30 Jan 1995 Page: 50
Title: [Variety - 30 Jan 1995: no known title]Author: MCCARTHY, Todd Article type: CreditsLanguage: English
In: Premiere v3 n9 October 1995 Page: 14
Title: [Premiere - v3 n9 October 1995: no known title]Author: GILBEY, Ryan Article type: ReviewLanguage: English
In: Moving Pictures International nSpecial Locarno. 1995 Pages: 8-9
Title: Sights set on the leopardArticle type: Festival ReportLanguage: English
Description: Details of the entries for the Festival awards.
In: Film-Echo/Filmwoche n49 8 Dec 1995 Page: 10
Title: Aus Provokation das Publikum quälenAuthor: OSSWALD, Dieter Article type: InterviewLanguage: German
Description: Interview with director Benjamin Ross about THE YOUNG POI- SONERS HANDBOOK: on the financing and production
In: Premiere v3 n9 October 1995 Page: 27
Title: Indian TroubleAuthor: BREALEY, Louise Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Brief profile of writer-director Benjamin Ross, with brief comment on THE YOUNG POISONER'S HANDBOOK.
In: Sight and Sound v5 n9 September 1995 Page: 64
Title: ReviewsAuthor: YATES, Robert Article type: CreditsLanguage: English
In: Screen International n995 17 Feb 1995 Page: 31
Title: [Screen International - n995 17 Feb 1995: no known title]Author: BROWN, Colin Article type: ReviewLanguage: English
In: Screen International n998 10 Mar 1995 Page: 1
Title: [Screen International - n998 10 Mar 1995: no known title]Article type: NoteLanguage: English
Description: Note on PolyGram Filmed Entertainment and Electric Pictures acquiring UK rights of YOUNG POISONER'S HANDBOOK
In: Screen International n969 5 Aug 1994 Page: 25
Title: [Screen International - n969 5 Aug 1994: no known title]Author: BLANEY, Martin Article type: PreviewLanguage: English
In: München Film News n3 1994 Page: 28
Title: [München Film News - n3 1994: no known title]Article type: CreditsLanguage: English
In: Film-Echo/Filmwoche n29 22 Jul 1994 Page: 14
Title: Der kleine GiftmischerAuthor: GEHRKE, Stefan Article type: Prod. DetailsLanguage: German
In: Screen International n959 27 May 1994 Page: 20
Title: [Screen International - n959 27 May 1994: no known title]Article type: CreditsLanguage: English
In: Eyepiece v15 n3 Jun/Jul 1994 Page: 26
Title: [Eyepiece - v15 n3 Jun/Jul 1994: no known title]Article type: CreditsLanguage: English
Description: In-production credits, especially for the technicians.
In: München Film News n2 1994 Page: 22
Title: [München Film News - n2 1994: no known title]Article type: CreditsLanguage: English
In: Moving Pictures International n186 19 May 1994 Page: 5
Title: [Moving Pictures International - n186 19 May 1994: no known title]Article type: CreditsLanguage: English
Film, Video or Digital materials held in BFI National Archive(14)
Accessible materials to view(2)
Description: MP4 - LTO5MPEG-4 AVC - BFI identifier: N-483899
Status: Viewing - Digital file can be accessed on request
Description: MP4 - LTO5MPEG-4 AVC - BFI identifier: N-483899-2
Status: Viewing - Digital file can be accessed on request
Digital materials(8)
Description: DPX - LTO5BFI identifier: N-483902
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved digital file
Description: DPX - LTO5BFI identifier: N-483902-2
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved digital file
Description: WAV - LTO5BFI identifier: N-489620
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved digital file
Description: WAV - LTO5BFI identifier: N-489620-2
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved digital file
Description: MOV - LTO5ProRes 422 (HQ) - BFI identifier: N-483882
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved digital file
Description: MOV - LTO5ProRes 422 (HQ) - BFI identifier: N-483882-2
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved digital file
Description: MP4 - LTO5MPEG-4 AVC - BFI identifier: N-483899
Status: Viewing - Digital file can be accessed on request
Description: MP4 - LTO5MPEG-4 AVC - BFI identifier: N-483899-2
Status: Viewing - Digital file can be accessed on request
Video materials(5)
Description: 1-inch C-FormatDuration: 95:00 minutesLine standard: 625Colour standard: PALBFI identifier: N-420030
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved videotape
Description: Betacam SPDuration: 95:00 minutesLine standard: 625Colour standard: PALBFI identifier: N-420031
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved videotape
Description: 1-inch C-FormatLine standard: 625Colour standard: PALBFI identifier: N-420033
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved videotape
Description: D2Line standard: 625Colour standard: PALBFI identifier: N-420036
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved videotape
Description: Digital BetacamBFI identifier: N-232002
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved videotape
Film materials(1)
Description: 35mm Colour PositiveBase: SafetySound: CombinedStock date: 1995BFI identifier: N-377847
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Dates: 1994 (Copyright), 15 September 1995 (Release)Countries: United Kingdom, Germany, FranceDirected by: Benjamin Ross
Synopsis: Satire on the norms of British life and medical practice. Black comedy based on a true story. Fourteen-year-old chemistry genius Graham lives with his father, stepmother and sister. Slowly he murders his stepmother with poisoned chocolates. After murdering his uncle as well, he is convicted and lands in a hospital for the criminally insane. His psychopath specialist Dr. Zeigler is fascinated by Graham's intelligence and believes in his ability to be cured. After seven years Graham is re-introduced into society. He secures a job in a photographic laboratory where he is soon lacing his colleagues' tea with thallium.
Genre: Crime
Subjects: Poisons, Psychopaths
Releases
Date: 15 September 1995Country: United KingdomRelease type: TheatricalFormat: 35mm Film - Colour - Metrocolor - Sound - Dolby SRRuntime: 98 mins 58 secs - Length: 8907 FeetDialogue (original): EnglishDistributor: Electric Pictures
Date: 2016Country: United KingdomRelease type: InternetFormat: not specified - Colour - SoundRuntime: 98 mins Dialogue (original): EnglishDistributor: BFIPlayer
Credits
(100)
©: Mass Productions, ©: Kinowelt Filmverleih, Haut et Court, A Mass/Sam Taylor production: Mass Productions, Sam Taylor, Presents: Mass Productions, Supported by: FilmFernsehFonds Bayern, Presents: Kinowelt Filmverleih, Haut et Court, With the participation of: British Screen, Supported by: Eurimages Conseil de l'Europe, Production Company: Pandora Cinema, Developed with the assistance of: British Screen Finance, Executive Producer: Caroline Hewitt, Executive Producer: Eric Stonestrom, Executive Producer: Cameron McCracken, Executive Producer for Mass Prod'n Ltd: Matthew Wilson, Produced by: Sam Taylor, Co-producer: Rainer Kölmel, French Co-producer: Carole Scotta, Line Producer: Peter McAleese, Associate Producer: David Redman, Production Manager (Germany): Katharina Zollner, Production Supervisor (Germany): Christine Maclean, Production Co-ordinator: Fran Treifus, Production Co-ordinator: Jimmy C. Gerum, Production Accountant: Sarah Lucraft, Location Manager: David Pinnington, 1st Assistant Director: Max Keene, 2nd Assistant Director: Stuart Renfrew, Christiane Schulze, 3rd Assistant Director: Matthew Baker, Dirk Piepenbring, Additional 3rd Assistant Director: Jez Murell, Script Supervisor: Lesley Cross, Casting Director: Michelle Guish, Written by: Jeff Rawle, Benjamin Ross, Director of Photography: Hubert Taczanowski, Camera Operator: Ian Jackson, Focus Puller: Julian Bucknall, Focus Puller: Christian Paschmann, Clapper/Loader: Danny Cohen, Arndt Frenger, Gaffer: Tony Haslam, Gaffer: Eddie Armstrong, Gaffer: Bernie Grill, Grip: Johnny Donne, Grip (Germany): Harold Peter, Stills Photographer: Simon Mein, Special Effects Supervisor: Stuart Brisdon, Editor: Anne Sopel, 1st Assistant Editor: Jay Coquillon, 2nd Assistant Editor: Kim Gaster, Charlotte Donaldson, Production Designer: Maria Djurkovic, Art Director: Mark Stevenson, Art Director: Matthias Kammermeier, Assistant Art Director: Keith Slote, Assistant Art Director: Isabella Zollner, Production Buyer: Gillie Delap, Property Master: Rob Hunter, Stephie Kammermeier, Construction Manager (Germany): Henning Dürr, Matthias Schmalzl, Costume Designer: Stewart Meachem, Wardrobe Supervisor: Catherine Halloran, Make-up Designer: Lindy Shaw, Make-up Assistant: Susie Lawley-Wakelin, Make-up Assistant: Kirsten Drees, Daniela Rohmer, Titles/Opticals: Capital FX (London), Film Processing Laboratory: Metrocolor (London), Arriflex Cameras/Zeiss Lenses supp'd by: Media Film Service London, ARRI Rental Munich, Filmed on: Kodak Film, Grip Equipment/Camera Cranes (UK) by: Grip House, Grip Equipment (Germany) supplied by: Lichttechnik, Camera Crane (Germany) supplied by: Applied Film Theory, Lighting Equipment (UK) supplied by: Playlight Hire Ltd., Lighting Equipment (Germany) supplied by: Lichttechnik, Music: Robert Lane, Music: Frank Strobel, Orchestral Score performed by: Munich Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra Manager: Paul Talkington, [Orchestra] Recorded at: Bavaria Musik Studios, Music Engineer: Peter Fuchs, Sound Recordist: Eckhard Kuchenbecker, Dubbing Mixer: Paul Hamblin, Post-production Facilities: De Lane Lea, Dubbing Editor: Peter Baldock, Dialogue Editor: Brigitte Arnold, Dialogue Editor: Bettina McCall, Foley Editor: Gerard McCann, Stunt Co-ordinator: Andy Bradford, Accounting Consultant: Peter Dress, Post-production Consultant: Stephen Barker, Publicity: DDA, Publicity (Germany): Sonja Dragova PR
Cast
(34)
Hugh O'Conor (Graham), Antony Sher (Dr Zeigler), Charlotte Coleman (Winnie), Roger Lloyd Pack (Fred), Ruth Sheen (Molly), Tobias Arnold (young Graham), Norman Caro (Mr Goez), Dorothea Alexander (Mrs Goez), Paul Stacey (Dennis), Samantha Edmonds (Sue), Robert Demeger (Mr Dexter), Jack Deam (Mick), Peter Pacey (Dickie Boone), Joost Siedhoff (Dr Scott), Vilma Hollingbery (Aunty Panty), Frank Mills (Uncle Jack), Rupert Farley (Nurse Trent), Dirk Robertson (Nurse Hopwood), Chris Lawson (prison officer), Malcolm Sinclair (Dr Triefus), Charlie Creed-miles (Berridge), Cate Fowler (social services woman), John Abbott (chairman), Anna Kollenda, Katja Kollenda (baby Donna), Hazel Douglas (Edna), Arthur Cox (Ray), John Thomson (Nathan), Jean Warren (Debra), Simon Kunz (John), Frank Coda (Billy), Tim Potter (Simon), Roger Frost (factory manager), David Savile (chief medical inspector)
Articles held in BFI Reuben Library
(21)
In: Film Tutti i Film della Stagione n43 Jan/Feb 2000 Page: 28Title: [Film Tutti i Film della Stagione - n43 Jan/Feb 2000: no known title]Article type: CreditsLanguage: Italian
In: Empire n120 June 1999 Page: 149
Title: Videos to buyAuthor: WESTBROOK, Caroline Article type: ReviewLanguage: English
Description: Review of video release.
In: Film Comment v32 n1 Jan/Feb 1996 Pages: 8-10
Title: Kind Hearts and CoronariesAuthor: KENNEDY, Harlan Article type: ReviewLanguage: English
Description: Review of THE YOUNG POISONER'S HANDBOOK: about the original story and the adaptation, about the character of Graham the poisoner and the character of the film
In: Empire n82 April 1996 Page: 108
Title: Video movies to rentAuthor: Nathan, IanArticle type: ReviewLanguage: English
Description: Review of video release.
In: Empire n76 October 1995 Page: 42
Title: New filmsAuthor: NEWMAN, Kim Article type: ReviewLanguage: English
In: Télérama n2388 18 Oct 1995 Page: 55
Title: [Télérama - n2388 18 Oct 1995: no known title]Author: SCHIDLOW, Joshka Article type: CreditsLanguage: French
In: Variety 30 Jan 1995 Page: 50
Title: [Variety - 30 Jan 1995: no known title]Author: MCCARTHY, Todd Article type: CreditsLanguage: English
In: Premiere v3 n9 October 1995 Page: 14
Title: [Premiere - v3 n9 October 1995: no known title]Author: GILBEY, Ryan Article type: ReviewLanguage: English
In: Moving Pictures International nSpecial Locarno. 1995 Pages: 8-9
Title: Sights set on the leopardArticle type: Festival ReportLanguage: English
Description: Details of the entries for the Festival awards.
In: Film-Echo/Filmwoche n49 8 Dec 1995 Page: 10
Title: Aus Provokation das Publikum quälenAuthor: OSSWALD, Dieter Article type: InterviewLanguage: German
Description: Interview with director Benjamin Ross about THE YOUNG POI- SONERS HANDBOOK: on the financing and production
In: Premiere v3 n9 October 1995 Page: 27
Title: Indian TroubleAuthor: BREALEY, Louise Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Brief profile of writer-director Benjamin Ross, with brief comment on THE YOUNG POISONER'S HANDBOOK.
In: Sight and Sound v5 n9 September 1995 Page: 64
Title: ReviewsAuthor: YATES, Robert Article type: CreditsLanguage: English
In: Screen International n995 17 Feb 1995 Page: 31
Title: [Screen International - n995 17 Feb 1995: no known title]Author: BROWN, Colin Article type: ReviewLanguage: English
In: Screen International n998 10 Mar 1995 Page: 1
Title: [Screen International - n998 10 Mar 1995: no known title]Article type: NoteLanguage: English
Description: Note on PolyGram Filmed Entertainment and Electric Pictures acquiring UK rights of YOUNG POISONER'S HANDBOOK
In: Screen International n969 5 Aug 1994 Page: 25
Title: [Screen International - n969 5 Aug 1994: no known title]Author: BLANEY, Martin Article type: PreviewLanguage: English
In: München Film News n3 1994 Page: 28
Title: [München Film News - n3 1994: no known title]Article type: CreditsLanguage: English
In: Film-Echo/Filmwoche n29 22 Jul 1994 Page: 14
Title: Der kleine GiftmischerAuthor: GEHRKE, Stefan Article type: Prod. DetailsLanguage: German
In: Screen International n959 27 May 1994 Page: 20
Title: [Screen International - n959 27 May 1994: no known title]Article type: CreditsLanguage: English
In: Eyepiece v15 n3 Jun/Jul 1994 Page: 26
Title: [Eyepiece - v15 n3 Jun/Jul 1994: no known title]Article type: CreditsLanguage: English
Description: In-production credits, especially for the technicians.
In: München Film News n2 1994 Page: 22
Title: [München Film News - n2 1994: no known title]Article type: CreditsLanguage: English
In: Moving Pictures International n186 19 May 1994 Page: 5
Title: [Moving Pictures International - n186 19 May 1994: no known title]Article type: CreditsLanguage: English
Film, Video or Digital materials held in BFI National Archive(14)
Accessible materials to view(2)
Description: MP4 - LTO5MPEG-4 AVC - BFI identifier: N-483899
Status: Viewing - Digital file can be accessed on request
Description: MP4 - LTO5MPEG-4 AVC - BFI identifier: N-483899-2
Status: Viewing - Digital file can be accessed on request
Digital materials(8)
Description: DPX - LTO5BFI identifier: N-483902
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved digital file
Description: DPX - LTO5BFI identifier: N-483902-2
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved digital file
Description: WAV - LTO5BFI identifier: N-489620
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved digital file
Description: WAV - LTO5BFI identifier: N-489620-2
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved digital file
Description: MOV - LTO5ProRes 422 (HQ) - BFI identifier: N-483882
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved digital file
Description: MOV - LTO5ProRes 422 (HQ) - BFI identifier: N-483882-2
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved digital file
Description: MP4 - LTO5MPEG-4 AVC - BFI identifier: N-483899
Status: Viewing - Digital file can be accessed on request
Description: MP4 - LTO5MPEG-4 AVC - BFI identifier: N-483899-2
Status: Viewing - Digital file can be accessed on request
Video materials(5)
Description: 1-inch C-FormatDuration: 95:00 minutesLine standard: 625Colour standard: PALBFI identifier: N-420030
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved videotape
Description: Betacam SPDuration: 95:00 minutesLine standard: 625Colour standard: PALBFI identifier: N-420031
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved videotape
Description: 1-inch C-FormatLine standard: 625Colour standard: PALBFI identifier: N-420033
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved videotape
Description: D2Line standard: 625Colour standard: PALBFI identifier: N-420036
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved videotape
Description: Digital BetacamBFI identifier: N-232002
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved videotape
Film materials(1)
Description: 35mm Colour PositiveBase: SafetySound: CombinedStock date: 1995BFI identifier: N-377847
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film