The Great Ecstasy of Robert Carmichael is the first feature film from British director Thomas Clay, released in 2006. It features Daniel Spencer in the title role, with Lesley Manville and Danny Dyer in support.

The Great Ecstasy of Robert Carmichael
The Great Ecstasy of Robert Carmichael 2006
Directed by	Thomas Clay
Written by	Thomas Clay Joseph Lang
Produced by	Joseph Lang
Starring	Daniel Spencer Lesley Manville Danny Dyer
Cinematography	Yorgos Arvanitis
Edited by	David Wigram
Music by	Edward Elgar Jonathan Henry Harvey Amy Purcell
Distributed by	Boudu Film LLP
Release dates	15 May 2005 (2005-05-15) (Cannes Film Festival) 20 October 2006 (2006-10-20) (United Kingdom)
Running time	96 minutes
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English

Plot

An introverted, socially awkward, middle-class youth, Robert Carmichael, is a talented cello player but is bored by his existence in the coastal town of Newhaven. He becomes associated with several other unsavory teenagers, and is soon tempted into the use of hard drugs like cocaine and ecstasy. At one point, the gang rapes a teenage girl in a squalid flat with the gang. Though Robert does not participate in this act, when the gang later attacks a middle-aged couple, and rapes the woman, Robert participates in that act.

Main cast

• Daniel Spencer as Robert Carmichael
• Lesley Manville as Sarah Carmichael
• Danny Dyer as Larry Haydn
• Ryan Winsley as Joe
• Charles Mnene as Ben
• Michael Howe as Jonathan Abbott
• Miranda Wilson as Monica Abbott
• Grace Kemp as concert goer

Recognition

The film was shown at the Edinburgh Film Festival and also the Cannes Film Festival as part of the Critic's Week sidebar, where it was nominated for the Camera d'Or award.[1][2]

References

External links

• Review in Variety "Ultra violent and nauseating, but technically dazzling."
• The Great Ecstasy of Robert Carmichael at IMDb
• Britfilms review and information

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