The Bay Boy


The Bay Boy is a 1984 Canadian drama film. It is a semi-autobiographical film based on director Daniel Petrie's experiences of growing up in Glace Bay, a mining town on Cape Breton Island, during the Great Depression. It features the screen debut of Kiefer Sutherland as the film's central character, alongside Liv Ullmann as his character's mother.

Plot

In 1937, Donald Campbell is a sensitive 16-year-old boy coming of age in a dark and uncertain time for both his community and life. His mother wants him to continue his education after high school and become a priest, but Donald is more interested in girls than prayerbooks. After an unsuccessful attempt by a visiting priest to molest him, followed by losing his virginity to a local girl, Donald politely informs his mother that he is not going to be a priest.
Meanwhile, when he is not in school, Donald spends his time helping his father dig a bootleg pit; helps care for his older brother, Joe, who was the brightest boy in his grade until he got sick and was left disabled; and pursues Saxon Coldwell, one of police Sergeant Coldwell's two daughters. Sergeant Coldwell's wife died a few months earlier.
Donald lives a hard-working but fairly happy life, until the night he witnesses Sergeant Coldwell shoot and kill the Jewish couple who are his landlord and landlady. The chief of police is a relative, so Donald feels comfortable admitting he saw the killing but he says he did not see who did it, because he is afraid of Sergeant Coldwell - especially after Sergeant Coldwell lets Donald know that he is aware that Donald did see who committed the murder. When the Sergeant comes home and finds Donald visiting with his daughter Dianna, he snaps mentally and tries to kill the boy - with the result, his secret is revealed and he is arrested for the murder of the Jewish couple, child abuse, and attempted murder of Donald.
The film also depicts the daily lives of the eccentric locals and tight-knit families.

Cast

Production

The movie was filmed entirely on location in Cape Breton, and primarily in Glace Bay. Many of the extras are performed by local residents. Principal photography took place from November 3 to December 17, 1983.

Awards

The film won the Genie Award for Best Canadian Film, Screenplay, Supporting Actor, Art Direction, Costumes and Sound

Home video

The film was released on home video in the United States under the title Bad Company.