A kinetic, intimate look inside the subculture of heroin abuse, this acclaimed adaptation of Irvine Welsh's novel follows the misadventures of Renton, a brash, twenty-something Edinburgh junkie, and his nihilistic chums Tommy, Spud, Sick Boy and Begbie. Alternately comic and off-putting, the film ultimately comes down to Renton's choice between self-destruction or life. The stellar soundtrack should not be missed.

A Figment Film in association with the Noel Gay Motion Picture Company.

Shown out of competition at the 1996 Cannes Film Festival.

Released theatrically in New York City July 19, 1996.

Additional cast: Peter Mullan (Swanney); Eileen Nicholas (Mrs. Renton); Pauline Lynch (Lizzy); Shirley Henderson (Gail); Stuart McQuarrie (Gavin); Dale Winton (Game Show Host); Annie Louise Ross (Gail's Mother); Billy Riddoch (Gail's Father); Fiona Bell (Diane's Mother); Hugh Ross, Victor Eadie (Men); Kate Donnelly (Woman); Finlay Welsh (Sheriff); Eddie Nestor (Estate Agent).

Additional credits: Lesley Stewart (production manager); Claire Hughes, Ben Johnson (assistant directors); Simon Bray (steadicam operator); Graham Johnston (make-up designer); Robert McCann (make-up and hair); Mark Taylor (sound re-recording mixer).

Filmed on a budget of $2.3 million.

The novel "Trainspotting" is based on also inspired a play that was performed in London's West End before the film was released.

Rated BBFC 18 by the British Board of Film Classification.

Excerpt: "We called him Mother Superior on account of the length of his habit." -- Renton (EWAN McGREGOR), about one of his dope-dealing friends.

"Choose life. Choose a job. Chose a career. Choose a family. Choose a... big television, choose washing machines, cars, compact disc players and electrical tin openers. Choose good health, low cholesterol and dental insurance. Choose fixed- income mortgage repayments. Choose a starter home. Choose your friends.... But why would I want to do a thing like that? I chose not to choose life: I chose something else. And the reasons? There are no reasons. Who needs reasons when you've got heroin?" -- Renton (EWAN McGREGOR)

"[Begbie] didn't do drugs, he did people." -- Renton (EWAN McGREGOR)

"You know Rents, for a vegetarian, you're a mean shot" --Sick Boy (Johnny Lee Miller)

DVD Features:

Region 1
Keep Case
Additional Release Material:
Commentary
Interviews - 1. Cannes Film Festival
Featurettes - 1. TRAINSPOTTING Retrospective
2. Deleted Scenes with Optional Commentary
3. Teaser Trailer
4. Theatrical Trailer
Text/Photo Galleries:
Biographies - 1. Cast and Crew

Distributor Notes: Trainspotting Collector's Series

From the director of 28 DAYS LATER ... The motion picture sensation that wowed critics and audiences nationwide, TRAINSPOTTING delivers a wild mix of rebellious action and wicked humor! It's the story of four friends as they try to make it in the world on their own terms ... and who end up planning the ultimate scam! Powered by an outstanding cast of stars including Ewan McGregor (BIG FISH, STAR WARS EPISODES I, II & III) Robert Carlyle (THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH, THE FULL MONTY) and Jonny Lee Miller (DRACULA 2000, MANSFIELD PARK), and a high-energy soundtrack, TRAINSPOTTING is spectacular, groundbreaking entertainment!

Source: Buena Vista Home Entertainment.

Ewan McGregor: Scottish, TRAINSPOTTING, THE ISLAND, BIG FISH
Ewen Bremner: 
Jonny Lee Miller: Actor/"Hackers"
Kevin McKidd: Actor
Robert Carlyle: Scottish actor, THE FULL MONTY/THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH
Kelly MacDonald: Actress/"Trainspotting"
Peter Mullan: Actor/Director
James Cosmo: Actor/"Braveheart
Eileen Nicholas: Actor, TRAINSPOTTING

Danny Boyle: Director: SHALLOW GRAVE

John Hodge: Screenwriter; collaborator w/Danny Boyle and Andrew McDonald

Masahiro Hirakubo: Editor

"...Electrifying....Harrowing and hilarious..."
"...The lasting after-effect of watching TRAINSPOTTING is a sense of exhilaration..."
"...A dark, Tarantino-style humor courses through its veins...This hip rave-up is zippily entertaining....Ewan McGregor delivers his needle-sharp narration with raw charisma" -- 3 1/2 out of 4 stars
"...Thrillingly squalid, scabrously funny..." -- Rating: A
"Scabrous, brutal and hip, TRAINSPOTTING is a CLOCKWORK ORANGE for the '90s....[The] performances are terrific at all levels..."
"...A larkish black comedy, paced like a Beatles musical yet grounded by the charming misanthropy of Irvine Welsh's best-selling novel....[With] a starmaking performance from Ewan McGregor..."