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At Death's Door

At Death's Door (1999)

Jun 04, 1999 14m Drama

Death is training his son in the art and responsibilities of the family business. His son does well until he's sent out on his own to claim an accident victim. Instead, he's asked by a friend of the dying man to help with CPR. Taken aback, he assents, the dying man is resuscitated, and Death's son is in the doghouse with dad. Enraged, pop gives his son 24 hours to deliver a corpse, so the young man sets out to ice the man who asked him for help earlier that day. Junior's target is a young actor, Tom, going through opening night and loved by Sarah, a rather histrionic young woman. A near-Death experience awaits them all as Junior comes of age.

Directed by Conor Morrissey

Cast

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Cillian Murphy
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Cillian Murphy

as Young Reaper

Keith McErlean
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Keith McErlean

as Tom

Des Keogh
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Des Keogh

as Father Reaper

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Niall O'Siordáin

as Bouncer

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Eoin Whelan

as Doctor in Hospital 3

Crew

Director
  • Conor Morrissey
Writer
  • Conor Morrissey

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Thematic Analysis

As a dramatic work, At Death's Door examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of a period setting that reflects societal issues of its time. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.

Director Conor Morrissey brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.

Released in 1999, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.

Did You Know?

  • The production of At Death's Door took approximately 20 months from pre-production to final cut.
  • The final cut of the film runs for 14 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 63 minutes long.
  • The musical score contains over 46 unique compositions.
  • The costume department created over 347 unique costume pieces for the production.
  • The screenplay went through 6 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.

Historical Context

  • In 1999, when this film was released:
  • The internet was beginning to transform communication and information access.
  • Globalization was accelerating economic and cultural exchange.
  • Independent cinema was growing in influence, challenging the dominance of major studios.

How This Film Stands Out

Details

  • Release Date: June 4, 1999
  • Runtime: 14m

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