Raining Stones

Raining Stones
Directed by	Ken Loach
Written by	Jim Allen
Produced by	Sally Hibbin
Starring	Bruce Jones
Cinematography	Barry Ackroyd
Distributed by	Northern Arts Entertainment (USA, theatrical) Fox Lorber (USA DVD)
Release dates	11 March 1993 (USA, limited)
Running time	90 minutes
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English

Raining Stones is a 1993 film directed by Ken Loach and starring Bruce Jones, Julie Brown, Ricky Tomlinson, Tom Hickey and Gemma Phoenix. It tells the story of a man who cannot afford to buy his daughter a First Communion dress, and makes disastrous choices in trying to raise the money. The film won the Jury Prize at the 1993 Cannes Film Festival.

Cast

• Bruce Jones – Bob
• Julie Brown – Anne
• Gemma Phoenix – Coleen
• Ricky Tomlinson – Tommy
• Tom Hickey – Father Barry
• Mike Fallon – Jimmy
• Ronnie Ravey – Butcher
• Lee Brennan – Irishman
• Karen Henthorn – Young Mother
• Christine Abbott – May
• Geraldine Ward – Tracey
• William Ash – Joe
• Matthew Clucas – Sean
• Anna Jaskolka – Shop Assistant
• Jonathan James – Tansey
• Ken Strath - Councillor Strath

Reception

The film has been given universal critical acclaim and holds a rating of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. It won the prestigious Grand Prix of the Belgian Syndicate of Cinema Critics.

Year-end lists

• Honorable mention – Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times

Filming locations

• Raining Stones was shot in and around the Langley Estate in Middleton, Greater Manchester.
• Bob Williams' flat – as well as the butcher's shop in the opening scenes – were opposite the junction of Wood Street and Windemere Road.
• The pub from the car park of which Bob's Transit van was stolen was The Falcon on the corner of Threlkeld Road and Bowness Road. The Falcon has since been demolished and the site remains undeveloped as of 2010.

External links

• Raining Stones at IMDb
• Raining Stones at the BFI's Screenonline