Comprehensive information and links about Sling Blade

Sling Blade is a 1996 film that takes place in rural Arkansas. It tells the story of a simple-minded man who is released from a psychiatric hospital where he has lived since committing murder at age 12. He befriends a young boy, begins a friendship with the boy's mother and must confront the mother's violent boyfriend, as well as his own dark past. It stars Billy Bob Thornton, Dwight Yoakam, J.T. Walsh, John Ritter, Lucas Black, Natalie Canerday, Stacia Thomason and Robert Duvall.

The movie was adapted by Thornton from his short film and previous screenplay titled .

It won the Academy Award for Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium, and was nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role (Billy Bob Thornton).

dhampir Blade to hunt down vampires. The most memorable part was Karl's dubious line, "I bit me a vampire once... tasted like corn."

Reference

Thornton's character refers to using a "kaiser blade," which he says some folks call a "sling blade." Exactly what garden tool this refers to is open to some question. Sometimes "sling blade" is used to refer to a pole with a thin, replaceable cutting blade attached horizontally to the end. This type of tool is used to cut light grasses. However, it would not be a terribly effective weapon. It is more likely that Thornton's character was refering to what is also called a "ditch bank" or "kaiser" blade. This features a hardwood pole with a wide, heavy steel blade with a half-hook point attached firmly to the end. It is usually kept sharp on both sides and is used for cutting earth and roots as well as heavier vegetation. It would make a very lethal weapon.