The Grass Arena (1991)
Encyclopedia
The Grass Arena is an autobiography that was made into a British
film released in 1991
. It is based on the true story of John Healy
. The book had been out of print for a number of years, but was re-issued on 31 July 2008.
, but soon falls victim to alcoholism
. His boxing career over, John takes to the Grass Arena (a park) where he lives with other alcoholics. Amongst other events, he describes being given the drug Antabuse in a clinical trial of some kind. In jail a fellow inmate teaches him chess
and he demonstrates an extraordinary ability at the game. He is soon beating grandmasters and having his games published in newspapers. Thus he is redeemed by the game. Healy is played by Mark Rylance
in the film, which also features Pete Postlethwaite
.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
film released in 1991
1991 in film
The year 1991 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*April 28 - Bonnie Raitt marries actor Michael O'Keefe in New York* Terminator 2: Judgment Day, became one of the landmarks for science fiction action films with its groundbreaking visual effects from Industrial Light & Magic.*November...
. It is based on the true story of John Healy
John Healy (author)
John Healy was born in London in 1943 to Irish immigrant parents in London's Kentish Town. Leaving school at the age of 14, he spent his formative years in the army, where he had a successful boxing career...
. The book had been out of print for a number of years, but was re-issued on 31 July 2008.
Storyline
Raised in an ultra-religious family with an abusive father, young Johnny soon learns that he has to learn to defend himself. He takes up boxingBoxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
, but soon falls victim to alcoholism
Alcoholism
Alcoholism is a broad term for problems with alcohol, and is generally used to mean compulsive and uncontrolled consumption of alcoholic beverages, usually to the detriment of the drinker's health, personal relationships, and social standing...
. His boxing career over, John takes to the Grass Arena (a park) where he lives with other alcoholics. Amongst other events, he describes being given the drug Antabuse in a clinical trial of some kind. In jail a fellow inmate teaches him chess
Chess
Chess is a two-player board game played on a chessboard, a square-checkered board with 64 squares arranged in an eight-by-eight grid. It is one of the world's most popular games, played by millions of people worldwide at home, in clubs, online, by correspondence, and in tournaments.Each player...
and he demonstrates an extraordinary ability at the game. He is soon beating grandmasters and having his games published in newspapers. Thus he is redeemed by the game. Healy is played by Mark Rylance
Mark Rylance
Mark Rylance is an English actor, theatre director and playwright.As an actor, Rylance found success on stage and screen. For his work in theatre he has won Olivier and Tony Awards among others, and a BAFTA TV Award...
in the film, which also features Pete Postlethwaite
Pete Postlethwaite
Peter William "Pete" Postlethwaite, OBE, was an English stage, film and television actor.After minor television appearances including in The Professionals, Postlethwaite's first success came with the film Distant Voices, Still Lives in 1988. He played a mysterious lawyer, Mr...
.
External links
- James, Erwin 'Saved by the book' - Interview with John Healy The Guardian, August 5, 2008.
- TheGrassArena.net A fan website dedicated to the book