To a Mouse (2000)
A Scottish short film about a man whose simple promise to his son sets off a chain of misadventures that force him to face his life head-on.
To a Mouse - Movie Information
- Release Year: 2000
- Directed by: David McKay
- Type: Movie
- Runtime: 25m
- Original Language: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): August 25, 2000 (United Kingdom)
- Production Companies: Scottish Screen, British Screen, Scottish Television (STV), The Scottish Arts Council
- Production Countries: United Kingdom
To a Mouse - Plot
The misdaventures of a man who is forced to confront the realities of his life when he promises his estranged wife that he will get a pair of football boots for his son at any cost.
To a Mouse - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- David McKay
Main Cast
- Frank Gallacher
- Kate Donnelly
- James John Mackay
- Robert Muir
- Ann Swan
- Jim Walsh
- Laurie Ventry
- Jim Twaddale
- Gerry Davis
- Eric Barlow
Producers
- Philippa Farnese
To a Mouse - FAQs
What is To a Mouse about?
To a Mouse follows a man navigating the messy realities of his life after making a bold promise to his estranged wife: he'll get a pair of football boots for their son no matter what it takes. The film traces his increasingly desperate misadventures as that simple promise spirals out of control.
What does the title To a Mouse mean?
The title echoes Robert Burns' famous 1785 poem "To a Mouse," which gave us the phrase "the best-laid schemes o' mice an' men gang aft agley" — meaning even the best plans often go wrong. It's a fitting nod for a story about a man whose well-intentioned promise unravels in unexpected ways.
Who directed To a Mouse (2000)?
To a Mouse was directed by David McKay, a Scottish filmmaker. The short was produced with support from Scottish Screen, British Screen, Scottish Television (STV), and The Scottish Arts Council, reflecting a strong Scottish creative identity both in front of and behind the camera.
Who are the main actors in To a Mouse?
The film stars Frank Gallacher in the lead role, with Kate Donnelly, James John Mackay, Robert Muir, Ann Swan, Jim Walsh, Laurie Ventry, Jim Twaddale, Gerry Davis, and Eric Barlow rounding out the cast. It's a strong ensemble of Scottish talent bringing this working-class story to life.
Is To a Mouse based on a true story?
To a Mouse doesn't appear to be based on a specific true story. It draws its spirit from the universal themes of Robert Burns' poem — the gap between good intentions and messy reality — grounding its fictional narrative in recognisable, everyday working-class Scottish life.
How long is To a Mouse?
To a Mouse runs for just 25 minutes, making it a short film. Despite its brief runtime, it packs in a complete emotional arc — following one man's escalating misadventures as a simple promise to his son becomes a window into the larger struggles of his life.
When was To a Mouse released?
To a Mouse was released on August 25, 2000, in the United Kingdom. It was produced with backing from Scottish Screen and The Scottish Arts Council, situating it within the wave of short film production that flourished in Scotland around the turn of the millennium.
What are some films similar to To a Mouse?
If you enjoy To a Mouse, you might also like Poor Cow (1967), a gritty British drama about working-class life, Rudy (1993), a heartfelt story of determination, or Marvellous (2014), a warm British tale of an unlikely football dreamer. All share that grounded, human quality the film captures so well.
More About To a Mouse
Explore further details about this Scottish short film through the following resource.