Search - Sling Blade on DVD

MPAA Rating: R Content Advisory: Violence, Adult Situations, Questionable for Children, Adult Language Movie Release: 1996 DVD Release: 02/04/1998 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV Audio Tracks: English, French Subtitles: English, Spanish SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 2 hrs 15 mins Studio: Miramax Members Wishing: 17 Genres: Drama, Psychological Drama, Melodrama See Also: Sling Blade, Sling Blade [Blu-ray]

Sling Blade marked the directorial debut of country singer turned actor Billy Bob Thornton, who also authored the script (expanding George Hickenlooper's acclaimed short Some Folks Call It a Sling Blade) and stars in the picture. Thornton plays Karl Childers, a mildly retarded man who spent most of his life in a mental institution. When Karl was a boy, he was severely mistreated by his abusive father (Robert Duvall). At age 12, Karl found his mother having intercourse with a man who tormented him endlessly; he snapped, flew into a homicidal rage, and killed both individuals by decapitating them. Years later, as a middle-aged man, Karl is deemed harmless to society and released from the mental institution where he resides. Karl says he has learned his lesson and adds, "I reckon I got no reason to kill no one." He returns to the town of his boyhood, where he's befriended by Frank (Lucas Black), the son of a widowed mother who sees the eccentric but open-hearted Karl as a kindred spirit. Karl also gets a job at a fix-it shop and resides in the backroom, until Frank's mother, Linda (Natalie Canerday), takes a liking to Karl and lets him stay with them. However, Karl also meets Doyle (Dwight Yoakam), Linda's boyfriend, a sadistically cruel, narrow-minded drunk who tosses casual abuse at Frank, treats Linda like dirt, and mocks Karl endlessly. The late John Ritter co-stars as Linda's friend Vaughan, a mild-mannered homosexual who works at the neighborhood dollar store. Musicians Col. Bruce Hampton and Vic Chesnutt are among Doyle's party guests. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Billy Bob Thornton - Karl Childers
Dwight Yoakam - Doyle Hargraves
J.T. Walsh - Charles Bushman
John Ritter - Vaughan Cunningham
Lucas Black - Frank Wheatley
Natalie Canerday

Billy Bob Thornton's Oscar-winning Sling Blade comes to DVD with a widescreen transfer that preserves the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1. A closed-captioned English soundtrack is rendered in Dolby Digital 5.1, while a French soundtrack has been recorded in Dolby Digital Surround. Spanish subtitles are accessible. Considering this is the film that rocketed Thornton to fame, the lack of a commentary track is a bit of a let down. That said, the disc looks and sounds fine. Fans of this moving, quirky drama will be satisfied with this Disney/Buena Vista release. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide