Search - Loving Walter on DVD

Movie Release: 1986 DVD Release: 12/02/2003 Format: DVD Audio Tracks: English SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 2 hrs 8 mins Studio: BFS Entertainment Members Wishing: 2 Genres: Drama

Director Stephen Frears' Loving Walter combines 1982's Walter, produced for Britain's Channel Four, and its sequel, 1983's Walter and June. Based on the best-selling book by David Cook, the story details the plight of Walter (Ian McKellan), a moderately retarded man, after the deaths of his parents. No concrete provisions have been made for Walter's upkeep, so he is thrown into an institution, where for the first time he is subjected to the casual cruelties of the "normal" world. Walter is rescued from an uncertain future through the love of June, played by Sarah Miles. Frankie Connolly plays the young Walter, while Arthur Whybrow and Barbara Jefford are his parents. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Ian McKellen - Walter
Sarah Miles - June
Barbara Jefford - Walter's mother
Arthur Whybrow - Walter's father
Paula Tilbrook - Mrs. Ashby

Director Stephen Frears paints a bleak and cynical picture of the ordinary Brit's ability to relate to someone less fortunate in this hard-hitting look at the world of the mentally handicapped. Walter (Ian McKellen) is a kind-hearted man who is mentally challenged. Walter's parents are remote and insensitive to him; his mother is constantly saying things that are cutting, and his father pays more attention to his pigeons than his son. Walter, however, loves the pigeons since they're only living beings in his life who are not hurtful. One day, tragedy strikes and Walter has to be interned in a mental institution. Paradoxically, his desire to help others finally finds an outlet there and he finds romance with a schizophrenic, June (Sarah Miles), but his future is still far from certain. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide