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Carla's Song

  • 19961996
  • TV-MATV-MA
  • 2h 7m
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
3.3K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
55,777
4,011
Carla's Song (1996)
Home Video Trailer from Fox Lorber
Play trailer1:56
1 Video
68 Photos
DramaRomanceWar
1987, love in time of war. Bus driver George Lennox meets Carla, a Nicaraguan exile living a precarious, profoundly-sad life in Glasgow. Her back is scarred, her boyfriend missing, her famil... Read all1987, love in time of war. Bus driver George Lennox meets Carla, a Nicaraguan exile living a precarious, profoundly-sad life in Glasgow. Her back is scarred, her boyfriend missing, her family dispersed; she's suicidal. George takes her to Nicaragua to find out what has happened t... Read all1987, love in time of war. Bus driver George Lennox meets Carla, a Nicaraguan exile living a precarious, profoundly-sad life in Glasgow. Her back is scarred, her boyfriend missing, her family dispersed; she's suicidal. George takes her to Nicaragua to find out what has happened to them and help her face her past. Once home, Carla's nightmarish memories take over, and ... Read all
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
3.3K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
55,777
4,011
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Director
      • Ken Loach
    • Writer
      • Paul Laverty
    • Stars
      • Robert Carlyle
      • Oyanka Cabezas
      • Scott Glenn
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Ken Loach
    • Writer
      • Paul Laverty
    • Stars
      • Robert Carlyle
      • Oyanka Cabezas
      • Scott Glenn
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 19User reviews
    • 22Critic reviews
    • Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award
      • 4 wins & 4 nominations total

    Videos1

    Carla's Song
    Trailer 1:56
    Carla's Song

    Photos68

    Robert Carlyle and Oyanka Cabezas in Carla's Song (1996)
    Carla's Song (1996)
    Carla's Song (1996)
    Carla's Song (1996)
    Carla's Song (1996)
    Carla's Song (1996)
    Carla's Song (1996)
    Carla's Song (1996)
    Carla's Song (1996)
    Carla's Song (1996)
    Carla's Song (1996)
    Carla's Song (1996)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Robert Carlyle
    Robert Carlyle
    • George Lennox
    Oyanka Cabezas
    Oyanka Cabezas
    • Carla
    Scott Glenn
    Scott Glenn
    • Bradley
    Salvador Espinoza
    • Rafael
    Louise Goodall
    • Maureen
    Richard Loza
    • Antonio
    Gary Lewis
    Gary Lewis
    • Sammy
    Subash Singh Pall
    • Victor
    • (as Subash Sing Pall)
    Stewart Preston
    • McGurk
    Margaret McAdam
    • George's Mother
    Pamela Turner
    • Eileen
    Greg Friel
    Greg Friel
    • Keyboard Player
    Anne Marie Timoney
    • Warden
    • (as Ann-Marie Timoney)
    Andy Townsley
    • Taxi Driver
    Alicia Devine
    • Hospital Sister
    John Paul Leach
    • Doctor
    Norma Rivera
    • Norma
    José Meneses
    • Harry
    • Director
      • Ken Loach
    • Writer
      • Paul Laverty
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Robert Carlyle learned to drive a bus for his part in the film.
    • Goofs
      Although set in the mid-80s, many of the cars in the background of the Glasgow scenes are newer models dating from the film's mid-90s shooting period.
    • Quotes

      George Lennox: So er... what did you do?

      Bradley: CIA, Tegucigalpa, '81 to '84, Honduras. You?

      George Lennox: Bus driver, double-decker, number 72, Glasgow

      [impish smile]

    • Alternate versions
      Although he always had final cut, director Ken Loach revisited the film for its 2005 DVD release and shortened it by approximately 15 minutes. Much of the removed material can be found on subsequent releases as deleted scenes. The original cinema release had a running time of 125 mins 30 seconds at 24fps. The UK PAL VHS release ran slightly faster at 25fps, giving a running time of 120 mins 10 seconds. The shorter 2005 cut runs to 106 mins 3 seconds on PAL 25fps DVD.
    • Connections
      Featured in The Movie Show: Episode dated 30 April 1997 (1997)
    • Soundtracks
      Your Song
      Written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin (uncredited)

      Published by PolyGram Music

    User reviews19

    Review
    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    One of the best British Films of the Nineties
    It is easy to overlook this Ken Loach film. Critics had not been so kind about the excellent Land and Freedom as they had been in the past, and Carla's song didn't fare that well either. It seems difficult to understand why. The inimicable brand of social realism is there as is the focus on the experiences and emotions of the individual. There is even the trademark visual in-joke.

    More than any other character in the recent past I cared for Carla. All performances are exceptional. What we have here is social realism that expands into political statement and ultimately human tragedy.

    If at all possible, try to see this film. Carlisle's broad Scottish accent may make it difficult to follow for the non-initiated, but persevere, and you will be rewarded.
    helpful•20
    4
    • Serpico-7
    • Feb 26, 1999

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 15, 1997 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • Spain
      • Germany
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • La canción de Carla
    • Filming locations
      • Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland, UK
    • Production companies
      • ARD Degeto Film
      • Alta Films
      • Channel Four Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $25,845
    • Gross worldwide
      • $25,845
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 7 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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