The Grass Arena

Directed by Gillies MacKinnon

With Mark Rylance, Pete Postlethwaite, Lynsey Baxter, Marian McLoughlin and Billy Boyle

The Grass Arena is based on the autobiography of John Healy. Raised in an strongly religious family, with an abusive father, John soon learns that he has to defend himself. Growing into adulthood he takes up boxing, but soon falls victim to alcoholism. His boxing career over, John takes to the Grass Arena (the park) where he lives with other alcoholics. Prison time introduces him to a new and unexpected path.