Orphans (1987): Cast, Box Office & Plot
Orphans is a 1987 crime drama directed by Alan J. Pakula, starring Matthew Modine as Treat, Kevin Anderson and Albert Finney. It is based on Orphans by Lyle Kessler. It runs 1 hour 55 minutes and earned $252,430 worldwide.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 55m (115 min)
- Director
- Alan J. Pakula
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Lorimar Motion Pictures
- Based on
- Orphans by Lyle Kessler
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Orphans About?
The premise of Orphans without spoilers, adapted from Orphans by Lyle Kessler. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Love moves in mysterious ways. Brothers Treat and Philip have only had each other since they were kids, when a small-time criminal abruptly upends their routine lives.
Orphans Themes & Keywords
· 18 tags- house
- criminal
- one word title
- father figure
- wasteland
- briefcase
- drunkenness
- held hostage
- gangster
- tied to a chair
- mentally challenged person
- mental retardation
+6 more Show fewer
- brother brother relationship
- orphan
- kidnapping
- kicked in the butt
- based on play
- independent film
Orphans Cast & Characters
Matthew Modine leads the cast as Treat, with Kevin Anderson as Philip and Albert Finney as Harold. Directed by Alan J. Pakula; 10 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Alan J. Pakula
-
Matthew Modine as Treat - Kevin Anderson as Philip
-
Albert Finney as Harold - John Kellogg as Barney
Also Starring in Orphans
· 6 more- Anthony Heald Man in Park
- Novella Nelson Mattie
- Frank Ferrara Sr. Cab Driver
- B. Constance Barry Lady in Crosswalk
- Clifford Fearl Doorman
- Elizabeth Parrish Rich Woman
More from Alan J. Pakula
More films directed by Alan J. Pakula, best-rated first: All the President's Men, Klute, Sophie's Choice and The Sterile Cuckoo.
Orphans Plot Summary
What happens in Orphans 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
In a rundown row house in Newark, New Jersey, two brothers struggle to survive: Treat, the elder, who sustains the family by petty theft, and Phillip, who clings to learning through magazines and television as the world outside remains largely off-limits.
One night, Treat ambushes a mysterious man from a bar, the briefcase full of stocks and bonds in hand. The man, known as Harold, turns the tables and quietly insinuates himself into the brothers’ lives, reshaping their routine and the dynamics of their small world. He begins to transform Treat into a more refined and courteous figure, while offering Phillip the encouragement he needs to reach beyond their dilapidated walls.
Full summary
The whole story of Orphans, scene by scene
Orphans Box Office
Orphans grossed $252,430 worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$252.4K
- US & Canada
- $252.4K
How Well Do You Know Orphans?
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
In which year was Orphans released?
Cars in Orphans
10 cars on screen, including the 1975 Checker Taxicab and the 1977 Plymouth Fury.
-
1975 Checker Taxicab Important role -
1977 Plymouth Fury Important role -
1981 Buick LeSabre Minor role -
GMC 'New Look' Minor role
Orphans Also Known As
14 alternative titles, including “Un ángel caído” and “I apagogi”.
- Also known as
-
- Un ángel caído
- I apagogi
- Kellerkinder
- Magtspil
- O Pai Adoptivo
- Orvot
- Un ostaggio di riguardo
- Risky Trio
- Risky Trio - Wer hat nun eigentlich wen entführt?
- Risky Trio - Kellerkinder
- Kellerkinder - Orphans
- Órfãos
+2 more Show fewer
- Les enfants de l'impasse
- Masum Serseriler
Seen Orphans?
Movies Like Orphans
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including An Orphan’s Tragedy, The Orphan Muses and Brother Orchid.
Orphans FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, the book behind it and post-credit scenes of Orphans, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Orphans?
Orphans runs 1 hour 55 minutes (115 minutes).
When was Orphans released?
Orphans was released on September 18, 1987.
Who directed Orphans?
Orphans was directed by Alan J. Pakula.
More films by Alan J. Pakula Who is in the cast of Orphans?
Orphans stars Matthew Modine as Treat, Kevin Anderson as Philip and Albert Finney as Harold, among 10 credited actors.
How much did Orphans make at the box office?
Orphans grossed $252,430 worldwide.
Is Orphans based on a book?
Yes. Orphans is adapted from Orphans by Lyle Kessler.
Does Orphans have a post-credit scene?
No. Orphans has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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