Whilst the plot centers around a policeman, this is not a police story. In fact John McKeown emphatically dislikes being a policeman. Two teenage boys discover a murdered man at a breakers ...
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Title: Butterfly Collectors (TV Movie 1999)
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Cast
| Credited cast: | |||
| Pete Postlethwaite | ... | John McKeown | |
| Jamie Draven | ... | Dex Lister | |
| Rachel Davies | ... | Rachel Garratt | |
| Alison Newman | ... | Sandra Hollins | |
| Crissy Rock | ... | Maureen | |
 |
Thomas Aston | ... | Mark Lister |
|
|
Ruth Harrop | ... | Sally Lister |
| Ben Crompton | ... | Billy Johnson | |
| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
|
|
Margaret Blakemore | ... | School Secretary |
| Tony Bluto | ... | Dave | |
|
|
Andrew Bone | ... | Nigel |
| Ray Emmet Brown | ... | Frank Davies | |
| Graham Bryan | ... | Benny | |
| Victor Burke | ... | Liam | |
|
|
Richard Cadman | ... | Cookie |
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Plot Summary
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Storyline
Whilst the plot centers around a policeman, this is not a police story. In fact John McKeown emphatically dislikes being a policeman. Two teenage boys discover a murdered man at a breakers yard they had intended to rob. They are arrested on suspicion of murder, but it becomes obvious to McKeown that these were just two amateur burglars who got more than they bargained for. During the course of the investigation, McKeown discovers that Dex, 17, a parks and gardens laborer, is bringing up his younger brother and sister alone. An unlikely friendship develops as McKeown becomes impressed by what Dex is making of his life. Although living on a council estate on the fringes of Manchester, Dex has created a beautiful garden (mainly from materials he has lifted from work). McKeown and his girlfriend Sandra become regular visitors to Dex's home, inspired by this young family who seem so determined to survive. The situation changes radically when McKeown suddenly has reason to question Dex's ... Written by Anonymous
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Details
Country:
UKLanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
24 October 1999 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
El coleccionista de mariposas See more »Filming Locations:
Manchester, Greater Manchester, England, UKCompany Credits
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Technical Specs
Runtime:
(2 parts)Sound Mix:
StereoColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.78 : 1
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Doctor's voice: Tired?
John McKeown: [running on treadmill] Yup.
Doctor's voice: All the time?
John McKeown: Yup.
Doctor's voice: Sleeping?
John McKeown: Nope.
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Did You Know?
Quotes
[first lines]Doctor's voice: Tired?
John McKeown: [running on treadmill] Yup.
Doctor's voice: All the time?
John McKeown: Yup.
Doctor's voice: Sleeping?
John McKeown: Nope.
See more »
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Dex Lister is a 17-year old caring for his two grade school siblings in a home that is missing its parents. Suspected and then arrested by Det. John McKeown in the murder of a factory supervisor, Lister's fitness as a guardian comes into question. The plot moves through a series of circumstances that eventually lead the viewer to question the motives of the detective and the young suspect. Are Dex's parents really missing? Is he all that he portrays himself to be? Is the detective's judgment being clouded by his personal problems?
Pete Postlethwaite as John McKeown and Jamie Draven as Dex Lister are excellent. The interchange between the two, first as friends and then as foes, heightens as each new fact is uncovered. "Butterfly Collectors" is as much a murder mystery as an examination of the effect people have on one another and their families.
I found it difficult, at times, hearing the dialogue clearly because of the thick dialect. Still "Butterfly Collectors" is a smart, intelligent made-for-TV movie, worth the almost three-hour view.