Cal (1984): Cast, Box Office & Plot
Cal is a 1984 romantic thriller directed by Pat O'Connor, starring John Lynch as Cal, Helen Mirren and John Kavanagh. It is based on Cal by Bernard MacLaverty. It runs 1 hour 42 minutes and earned $7,342 worldwide.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 42m (102 min)
- Director
- Pat O'Connor
- Original language
-
English
- Based on
- Cal by Bernard MacLaverty
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Cal About?
The premise of Cal without spoilers, adapted from Cal by Bernard MacLaverty. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Cal, a young man on the fringes of the IRA, falls in love with Marcella, a Catholic woman whose husband, a Protestant policeman, was killed one year earlier by the IRA.
Cal Themes & Keywords
· 27 tags- female pubic hair
- female full frontal nudity
- female frontal nudity
- screenplay adapted by author
- younger man older woman relationship
- male rear nudity
- female rear nudity
- female nudity
- female topless nudity
- pubic hair
- woman
- love
+15 more Show fewer
- young
- man
- ireland
- police officer killed
- irish republican army
- guilt
- terrorist
- northern ireland
- guerrilla warfare
- murder
- flashback
- terrorism
- librarian
- library
- based on novel
Cal Cast & Characters
John Lynch leads the cast as Cal, with Helen Mirren as Marcella and John Kavanagh as Skeffington. Directed by Pat O'Connor; 22 actors are credited in all.
- Director Pat O'Connor
-
John Lynch as Cal -
Helen Mirren as Marcella -
John Kavanagh as Skeffington - Ray McAnally as Cyril Dunlop
Also Starring in Cal
· 18 more- Daragh O'Malley Scarfaced Policeman
- Donal McCann Shamie
- Tom Hickey Preacher
- George Shane Second Policeman
- Gerard Mannix Flynn Arty
- Stevan Rimkus Crilly
- Edward Byrne Skeffington Snr
- Julia Dearden Shop Assistant
- Scott Fredericks Soldier at Farm
- Seamus Forde Mr Morton
- Laurence Foster Soldier at Roadblock
- Catherine Gibson Mrs Morton
- Gerard O'Hagan Soldier at Farm
- J.J. Murphy Man in Library
- Louis Rolston Dermot Ryan
- Audrey Johnson Lucy
Show all 22 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Brian Munn Robert Morton
- Yvonne Adams Neighbour
More from Pat O'Connor
More films directed by Pat O'Connor, best-rated first: Circle of Friends, Private Peaceful, Sweet November and The January Man.
Cal Plot Summary
What happens in Cal from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 1-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Cal is a young member of the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) in 1970s Northern Ireland, serving as a nighttime driver for a mission that ends in the murder of a Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) officer at the victim’s home, with the officer’s father present and shot. One year later, Cal learns that the librarian, Marcella, Helen Mirren, is Catholic and the widow of the victim. Cal longs to leave the IRA, but the group pressures him to stay, tying his fate to a web of loyalty and fear.
Full summary
The whole story of Cal, scene by scene
Cal Box Office
Cal grossed $7,342 worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$7.3K
- International
- $7.3K
Cal Videos
The clip of Cal.
How Well Do You Know Cal?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which organisation is Cal a young member of at the start of the film?
Cars in Cal
25 cars on screen, including the 1975 Bedford TK and the 1977 Ford Cortina MkIV.
-
1975 Bedford TK Important role -
1977 Ford Cortina MkIV Important role -
1977 Ford Cortina MkIV Important role -
Land-Rover 109'' Series III Hotspur Important role
Cal Also Known As
5 alternative titles, including “칼의 고백” and “Cal - Memórias de um Terrorista”.
- Also known as
-
- 칼의 고백
- Cal - Memórias de um Terrorista
- Cal, callejón infernal
- 恩怨情天
- Дневник террориста
Seen Cal?
Movies Like Cal
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Lady Caliph, Kelly & Cal and Calm with Horses.
Cal FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, the book behind it and post-credit scenes of Cal, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Cal?
Cal runs 1 hour 42 minutes (102 minutes).
When was Cal released?
Cal was released on May 15, 1984.
Who directed Cal?
Cal was directed by Pat O'Connor.
More films by Pat O'Connor Who is in the cast of Cal?
Cal stars John Lynch as Cal, Helen Mirren as Marcella and John Kavanagh as Skeffington, among 22 credited actors.
How much did Cal make at the box office?
Cal grossed $7,342 worldwide.
Is Cal based on a book?
Yes. Cal is adapted from Cal by Bernard MacLaverty.
Does Cal have a post-credit scene?
No. Cal has no extra scene during or after the credits.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
