If ever there was a film that managed to capture the essence of mid-1970s Glasgow then it's the Ratcatcher.
Released to critical acclaim in 1999, Lynne Ramsay's gripping debut drops us into an impoverished inner city community at the height of the bin strikes, where we become acquainted with 12-year-old James Gillespie who is ridden with guilt due to a dark secret.
Lauded for its "hauntingly-beautiful", and compelling, but, at times, incredibly bleak and hard-to-stomach plot, Ratcatcher explored the day-to-day struggles and hazards facing James in the rat-infested scheme he and his family called home.
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Ratcatcher had a powerful effect on film-goers at the time of its release, and, aided by some stellar and industry-nominated performances by its cast, it remains an emotional rollercoaster of a movie to this very day.
Speaking of the cast, what became of them all in the years after the release of the '90s cult classic? Glasgow Live takes a closer look.
William Eadie (James Gillespie)
William Eadie put in a highly-memorable performance as our young protagonist James Gillespie. Given the prominence of his leading role in the 1999 British cinema classic, Ratcatcher, surprisingly, remains William Eadie's only film credit to this day. His last role was in the 2009 short Letter to an Unknown Son and it appears Eadie made a decision long ago to give up acting for a living.
Tommy Flanagan (George Gillespie)
Having already starred in the Mel Gibson epic Braveheart, Glasgow actor Tommy Flanagan was well-established when he took up the role of James' aggressive but deeply loving dad, George Gillespie. Flanagan earned critical praise and a flood of 'best actor' nominations for his performance in Ratcatcher.
Tommy Flanagan went on to star in blockbusters, such as Gladiator, Sin City and Alien vs. Predator and gained a loyal following of fans worldwide for his portrayal of Filip 'Chibs' Telford in the FX Network drama Sons of Anarchy.
More recently, Flanagan, whose distinctive facial scars were the result of being assaulted by thugs in Glasgow many years ago, played the character Martin Connells in the third season of hit TV series Westworld. This year, he starred alongside Antonio Banderas and Jaime King in CIA thriller Code Name Banshee and had a leading role as Mr Fitzgerald in mobster movie Boon.
Mandy Matthews (Anne Gillespie)
Mandy Matthews played James' thoughtful and caring ma', Anne Gillespie. Prior to Ratcatcher, Matthews made her on screen debut in 1989 Scottish TV classic Dream Baby, before playing a schoolgirl in Taggart and starring alongside Robert Carlyle in the hit drama Looking After Jo Jo.
Her role as Sandra Taylor in the BBC Scotland series Tinsel Town (2000) remains Matthews' last screen credit to date.
Leanne Mullen (Margaret Anne)
Ratcatcher director Lynne Ramsay appears to have had an eye for spotting unknown talent, and Leanne Mullen, who did an excellent job with her portrayal of James' female friend Margaret Anne, is a perfect example of this.
Considering the level of her performance, it's of no little surprise to discover that Ratcatcher is Leanne Mullen's one and only film credit to date.
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Jackie Quinn (Mrs Quinn)
Cast as Mrs Quinn, the mum of tragic youngster Ryan, whose accidental drowning has a huge impact on James, Jackie Quinn puts in a terrific performance. Jackie Quinn has just three acting credits to her name, the last which came in 2000 in the film American Women.
James Ramsay (Mr Quinn)
James Ramsay had a blink-and-you'll-miss-it role in Ratcatcher as the bereaved father of James' friend Ryan, but the sometimes actor, who would later appear in Gangs of New York and Taggart, would go on to big things on the other side of the lens.
As a cameraman, Ramsay has worked with the likes of Cher, Elton John, Take That and the Killers in the filming of various live shows and documentaries, and has also been one of the main camera operators for hugely-popular motoring shows Top Gear and The Grand Tour.
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