Carla's Song

1996
TV-MA
2h 7m

IMDb RATING

6.8/10

3.6K

YOUR RATING

Play trailer1:56

1 Video

69 Photos

Drama Romance War

1987, love in time of war. Bus driver George Lennox meets Carla, a Nicaraguan exile living a precarious, profoundly-sad life in Glasgow. Her back is scarred, her boyfriend missing, her famil... Read all1987, love in time of war. Bus driver George Lennox meets Carla, a Nicaraguan exile living a precarious, profoundly-sad life in Glasgow. Her back is scarred, her boyfriend missing, her family dispersed; she's suicidal. George takes her to Nicaragua to find out what has happened t... Read all1987, love in time of war. Bus driver George Lennox meets Carla, a Nicaraguan exile living a precarious, profoundly-sad life in Glasgow. Her back is scarred, her boyfriend missing, her family dispersed; she's suicidal. George takes her to Nicaragua to find out what has happened to them and help her face her past.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.8/10

3.6K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award
- 4 wins & 4 nominations total

Videos1

Trailer 1:56

Watch Carla's Song

Photos69

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Hidden Agenda

Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
Robert Carlyle learned to drive a bus for his part in the film.

Goofs
Although set in the mid-80s, many of the cars in the background of the Glasgow scenes are newer models dating from the film's mid-90s shooting period.

Quotes
George Lennox: So er... what did you do?
Bradley: CIA, Tegucigalpa, '81 to '84, Honduras. You?
George Lennox: Bus driver, double-decker, number 72, Glasgow
[impish smile]

Alternate versions
Although he always had final cut, director Ken Loach revisited the film for its 2005 DVD release and shortened it by approximately 15 minutes. Much of the removed material can be found on subsequent releases as deleted scenes. The original cinema release had a running time of 125 mins 30 seconds at 24fps. The UK PAL VHS release ran slightly faster at 25fps, giving a running time of 120 mins 10 seconds. The shorter 2005 cut runs to 106 mins 3 seconds on PAL 25fps DVD.

Connections
Featured in The Movie Show: Episode dated 30 April 1997 (1997)

Soundtracks
Your Song
Written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin (uncredited)
Published by PolyGram Music

User reviews21

Review

Featured review

10/10

One of the best British Films of the Nineties

It is easy to overlook this Ken Loach film. Critics had not been so kind about the excellent Land and Freedom as they had been in the past, and Carla's song didn't fare that well either. It seems difficult to understand why. The inimicable brand of social realism is there as is the focus on the experiences and emotions of the individual. There is even the trademark visual in-joke.

More than any other character in the recent past I cared for Carla. All performances are exceptional. What we have here is social realism that expands into political statement and ultimately human tragedy.

If at all possible, try to see this film. Carlisle's broad Scottish accent may make it difficult to follow for the non-initiated, but persevere, and you will be rewarded.