MovieChat Forums > Song for a Raggy Boy (2003) Discussion > Accusations

Accusations

posted 20 years ago by shockabsorber
7 replies | jump to latest

One thing struck me about this film...

*SPOILER!*
*SPOILER!*

Regarding the scene where Brother Mac is seen "interfering" (as it seems to be put in Ireland) with one of the boys.
At the end of the film, the "where-are-they-now" text states that Brother Mac went to America where he still lives now. However it never mentioned that he was ever publicly accused or tried - let alone convicted - for the events of that scene.

Since this film claims to be based on a true story - If there really is a Brother Mac - which the film suggests there is - who was in St. Jude's, this is a very serious allegation to make against him in the film, considering the fact (if it is a fact) that he did it was never made public.

If he *was* convicted of it, or it was made public, why didn't the text at the end mention it?

Similarly for Brother John - Williams says in the film that the kids will be told he died of an illness but that is all lies - But is it really lies? Did an investigation eventually draw the conclusion that Mercier was beaten to death, or is it just a hypothesis made by the film-makers?

It's just the film gives the impression that the truth was never discovered - but if that's the case then how could they make the film with a clear conscience?

[–] RossFixxxed 20 years ago

Hi, I'm living in Ireland and sadly a lot, if not most of these scumbags got away with it. It was all hushed up and they were moved to different parishes far away. The Christian Brothers apologised officially for "Widespread instututional abuse". I mean come on. They didn't have to pay as much as you'd speak and the government weren't all that friendly or helpful to the victims either.

Those who were convicted, even of raping dying boys in their death beds only got sentences of 18 months - 3 years for what they did. There have been NO students joining the priesthood in this country for years. And frankly, rightfully so.

Ross

[–] CHBnewsworldwide 19 years ago

I hope you're joking. I hope to god that you are joking.

You are either a hopelessly naive fool, or just a fool. If I thought for one second you were a priest, convieniently tucked away under the equator by the church after kicking a small boy to death, then I wouldn't be talking to you.

You reckon this film plays fast and loose with the facts, do you, Mr Shockabsorber? (Who is the 'Williams', incidentally, of your post? Could it be William Franklin, played by Aidan Quinn? No matter. They're only facts.)
You reckon "if there really is a brother Mac", that this film has gravely misrepresented him, with it's "very serious allegation" against him? He should get himself a lawyer, right? Sue somebody. I know I would.

If you think that these horrible articles, and the horrible institution which defends and protects them are somehow 'victims', somehow 'wronged' by the lady who made this film, then I feel sorry for you. I hope your little child/little brother/little neighbour never has to see the inside of 'the church'.

[–] dgunning 19 years ago

He's only asking a question.

[–] jvh5 16 years ago

Yeah well Patrick Galvin Wrote the Screenplay and the book. Merciers Death is not in the book, but that could have just been done by the editing company when the book was published, as the church had a more important role in society back then The film was made mny years after the book and I´m guessing Patrick was still alive to see that and give his input.

Also judging from the notes at the end of the film, Delany was Galvins character in the film i.e. he became a journalist.

[–] skittles02 16 years ago

So, I'm not sure how true this is, but it might help someone who was trying to look into this further. As far as I know that character of Delaney wrote the book that was turned into the movie. He was around when they made the movie. The 'interfering' scene, as you put it, was not in the book and according to the writer of the book (although this isn't official or anything, just pub talk around the time when the movie was being made) it was created by the filmmakers to dramatise the movie more. So it might not have happened in reality, or in the book, to that character, but I think it was put into the movie because that sort of thing did happen, and went unnoticed, and is a big controversy in Ireland now.

Again, this is just what I picked up here and there from small conversations; I don't know anything about the reality of anything that was brought up in this movie.

[–] alexanderpatton28 15 years ago

In the movie, the quote referring to him dying of an illness was actually about Mercier. It goes that the boys will be told Mercier died of an illness, but he was murdered. (indirect quote)

[–] kenburke0627 13 years ago

Regretfully, the abuse depicted in the movie was commonplace through the Irish child care system. Not that the American child care system was much better!