All the Little Animals

A 1998 British drama film directed by Jeremy Thomas and written by Eski Thomas, based on Walker Hamilton's 1968 novella of the same name. The film tells the story of Bobby Platt (Christian Bale), an emotionally challenged young man who runs away from home to escape the abusive treatment of his stepfather, Bernard "The Fat" De Winter (Daniel Benzali). The Fat had killed Bobby's pet mouse and, according to Bobby, screamed at his mother until she died. Wandering through the woodlands of Cornwall, Bobby encounters an elderly man who calls himself Mr. Summers (John Hurt). Mr. Summers dedicates his life to burying animals that have been killed by cars, referring to this task as "The Work." Sharing a deep affinity for animals, Bobby becomes Mr. Summers' assistant in this endeavor. Over time, they develop a profound friendship. Eventually, they return to London to confront The Fat and attempt to end his tyranny. The film explores themes of friendship, redemption, and the struggle against inner demons. It premiered in the "Un Certain Regard" section at the 1998 Cannes Film Festival. In the United States, the film was released on September 3, 1999, but did not achieve significant commercial success, grossing approximately $26,558 worldwide.