Loyalties (1978)
A short British drama about friendship, loyalty, and the cost of standing by someone everyone else has given up on.
Loyalties - Movie Information
- Original Title: Loyalties
- Release Year: 1978
- Type: Movie
- Runtime: 30m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): February 23, 1978 (United Kingdom)
Loyalties - Plot
Everybody tells Onnie to steer clear of Patsy Gallaher, that he's bad news, but Onnie doesn't see it. Gallaher is Onnie's friend, and he believes friends should be loyal to one another.
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Loyalties - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Gary Rankin
- Jon Morrison
- Alec Heggie
- Eileen McCallum
- Paul Kermack
- Joseph McKenna
- Gerard Kelly
- David Bannerman
- Charles Kearney
Writers
- Peter McDougall
Producers
- Andrée Molyneux
Loyalties - FAQs
What is Loyalties (1978) about?
Loyalties follows Onnie, a young man who refuses to listen when everyone around him warns that his friend Patsy Gallaher is trouble. Onnie holds firm to his belief that real friendship means standing by someone no matter what, even as the consequences of that loyalty begin to unfold.
Does Loyalties explore the cost of blind loyalty?
That's really the heart of the film. Onnie's unwavering loyalty to Gallaher puts him at odds with everyone he knows. The story quietly asks whether loyalty is a virtue or a vulnerability — and whether standing by a friend is always the right thing to do.
Where can you watch Loyalties (1978)?
You can check current streaming and viewing options for Loyalties on JustWatch, which tracks availability across platforms in your region. Options may vary depending on where you are located.
Who plays Onnie and Gallaher in Loyalties?
Gary Rankin takes on the role of Onnie, the loyal and stubborn young man at the center of the story, while Jon Morrison plays Patsy Gallaher, the friend everyone warns Onnie to avoid. The two lead a strong ensemble cast.
Who wrote the screenplay for Loyalties?
The screenplay was written by Peter McDougall, a Scottish writer known for his gritty, character-driven dramas. McDougall had a talent for capturing working-class life with raw authenticity, and Loyalties reflects that distinctive voice throughout its tight 30-minute runtime.
Is Loyalties a short film or a feature?
Loyalties runs at just 30 minutes, making it a short film. Despite its brief runtime, it packs in a complete and emotionally resonant story, which is a hallmark of the kind of compact, purposeful British television drama that Peter McDougall was known for writing.
When and where was Loyalties first released?
Loyalties premiered on February 23, 1978, in the United Kingdom. It was part of a tradition of quality British television drama that flourished in the late 1970s, offering sharp, socially aware storytelling in a short-form format.
What are some films similar to Loyalties?
If the themes of loyalty and friendship in Loyalties resonate with you, films like Hachi: A Dog's Tale, Brian's Song, Megan Leavey, and The Climb explore similar bonds with warmth and emotional depth. Each takes a different angle on devotion and what it truly costs.
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