THE BOYS OF ST VINCENT

Canada, 1992, 91 minutes, Colour.
Henry Czerny, Johnny Marino,
Directed by John N.Smith.


Still one of the most powerful and frank films about sexual abuse of minors is The Boys of St Vincent (1992, director John N. Smith) and its companion film, The Boys of St Vincent: 15 Years Later (1992, Dir John N.Smith). What seems surprising in retrospect is that it was produced in the early 1990s at a time when, especially in the English-speaking world, awareness of sexual abuse within the Catholic Church was only beginning to be publicly known. The film anticipates so much of the controversies, sympathies for the survivors of abuse, condemnation of the predators, discussions, court cases, revelations about the behaviour of authorities, especially in terms of limiting public awareness, transfers of abusers and official cover-ups.

It has been noted that, since the film was made in Canada, it is more explicit visually and thematically than films made in the United States.

The setting is the city of St John, Newfoundland. An opening note declares that the film has been inspired by actual events but is not a re-enactment. The setting for the first film is 1975, an orphanage in the city run by the Brothers of All Saints. There are several brothers who abuse the boys, especially in the dormitories. A central focus of the two films is the In text. Lavan, played with great intensity by Henry Czerny.

The film shows in some detail the community life of the brothers, some camaraderie, for instance, as they watch slides from their past, some rigidity in the discussions at the meal table, constant work as they teach, coach, supervise dormitory and showers, the dominance of the superior. It can be stressed that not all the brothers were abusers and one brother, Brother Mac, is seen teaching catechism, supervising genially, a good friend to the boys who later declare to the investigating police that he is a good man.

The young boy who suffers abuse is ten year old Kevin (Johnny Marino) who is specially groomed by Brother Lavin. There is more detail at the end of 15 Years Later when Kevin gives testimony in court. He has been taken out of the dormitory to the Brother’s room, sat on his knee, fondled, his clothes removed, touching, passionate kissing and encouraged to say that Brother was his mother. Kevin attempts to run away but is brought back by the police and taken to Brother Lavin’s room. When he reacts, Brother Lavin takes his belt and beats the boy and throws him against the wall. He allows Kevin to stay in bed the next day but the new handyman, Mike Finn, talks with the boy, discovers the injuries and confronts Brother Lavin only to be threatened with being fired. He takes the boy to the hospital, with Brother Lavin intervening and explaining away the injuries.

Brother Lavin is tormented man, asserting his authority, resisting the police and their enquiries, explaining and justifying himself and the brothers to the Archbishop and his assistant bishop when they called him in to make enquiries.

Several of the other brothers are abusers, especially in dormitory scenes and a later, collage, rather frank and explicit, of the Brothers’ sexual behaviour.

When Mike Finn goes to the authorities, they want him to fill in forms. They consider the accusations unsubstantiated, wary about intervening in church matters, given the solid reputation of the orphanage in the city and the prospective million-dollar donation for development to be presented by the Minister. The enquiring detective and other police interview the boys at some length, some reluctant, Kevin eventually giving all the details of Brother Lavin’s behaviour and he and the other boys signing witness statements.

There is a telling moment during the rehearsal for the presentation of the donation cheque with Kevin asked to hold the check and then shake hands with the Minister – with Brother Lavin standing in for the rehearsal and Kevin reluctant to shake his hand but Brother Lavin grasping it.

The crisis moments for the film have Kevin in the basement of the orphanage, a rather demented Brother Lavin going to find him, pursuing him, holding, fondling, kissing – when other boys and Brother Mac find him and Brother Mac demands that he let Kevin go and says he is a disgrace.

The film ends with the removal of the brothers, some going to a centre for rehabilitation after confessing their abuse, and Brother Lavin being transferred. New brothers come onto the staff, the new superior-superintendent giving a very stern speech to the boys saying that all would continue normally. Kevin and many of the others remain at the orphanage.


1. A film of 1992, about sexual abuse in an orphanage in 1975, a film early in those films made about sexual abuse in Catholic institutions? Seen in the light of other revelations around the world, the behaviour of teaching brothers, the reaction of authorities, transfer of religious, lack of care for survivors of abuse, cover-ups?

2. The setting in Newfoundland or St John, the city, the buildings, the orphanage, the police precincts, the ecclesiastical settings? The musical score?

3. The focus on the Brothers, their way of life, the wearing of habits, crucifixes, community life, watching the slides, the saying of grace, the dominance of the Superior, supervising the dormitory, the showers, teaching classes, recreation and games, the rehearsal for the giving of the donation, the strictness of the way of life – the contrast with Brother Mac, friendly, genial, in the dormitory, in-class with catechism, the rehearsal? The boys later praising him as a good man?

4. The boys in the orphanage, the range of age, their way of life, the backgrounds, lack of parents, the strict routines in the orphanage, timetables, showers, dormitory’s, classes, recreation? The reaction to the Brothers? Normal? The abuse and the repercussions?

5. Brother Lavin, the Superior, his stern demeanour, his role as superintendent, taking it seriously, especially regards outside influence, not allowing the social worker to come in, his reaction to Michael Finn and his talking about the boys, the abuse, threats and fire, his reaction to the police coming in? A humourless man? The importance of fund-raising and his connection with the Archbishop and his assistant?

6. Kevin, the focus of attention by Brother Lavin, his age, his being singled out, the scenes with Brother Lavin, the intimacy, calling Brother his mother, the fondling, removal of clothes, the kissing, the explicit nature of the scenes? Kevin’s reaction, Brother Lavin taking his belt, beating the boy, throwing him against the wall, his injuries and Brother arguing them away? The interview with the doctor?

7. Kevin and his reaction, telling Brother that he was not his mother or father, going to the docks, running away, being brought home by the police, Brother’s reaction?

8. The offending brothers in the dormitory, the visuals of her behaviour direct and explicit, the treatment, Brian and his defiance, Brother Lavin urging the use of the strap, the brother and his sadistic hitting? Brian not crying? His wanting to protect his brother? Going away? Leaving Stephen?

9. Michael Finn, working with Kevin, going to the police, the authorities and telling him to fill in a form? His reaction? His confronting Brother Lavin? Dismissed?

10. The detective, the range of interviews, the response of the boys, reluctance to tell the story, Stephen and his denial of the abuse, Kevin and his gradual revelation? The documents, the boys signing?

11. The Archbishop, the preparation for the big donation, the discussions with the Minister? The raising of the abuse issues, his interview with Brother Lavin, the role of his assistant bishop, confronting Brother Lavin? His denials?

12. The government officials, the Minister, the chief of police, his attack on the detective, saying the material was speculative, wanting a report with all sexual references omitted?

13. The rehearsal for the ceremony, Kevin and the cheque, having to shake Brother Lavin’s hand?

14. The ceremony, all going according to rehearsal?

15. The Archbishop, confronting Brother Lavin, the threats, the role of the assistant bishop?

16. The brothers leaving, disgraced, transferred?

17. The finale, in the basement, Brother Lavin and Kevin, chasing him, embracing him, kissing him, passionate? The boys leading Brother Mac down, Brother Mac and his demands that Brother Lavin surrender the boy?

18. The aftermath, the boys staying in the institution, the transfer of the offending brothers, the reasons given, the possibilities for rehabilitation in the centre, their confessing their abusive behaviour? The new brothers coming in, the speech of the head, his sternness, wanting to ensure that all would continue normally?

19. This film in the light of subsequent experience around the world and subsequent films?