As T2 Trainspotting hits the big screen, we round-up everything you need to know on the original classic
The sequel is one of the most talked about British films of the year
RENTON, Sick Boy, Spud and Begbie . . . if those names don’t mean anything to you, don’t worry.
Trainspotting 2 may be one of the most talked about British films of the year, but if you can’t remember – or never saw – the original we have provided all you need to know on the subject.
What was the big deal?
The movie was shot in 35 days on a budget of £1.5million – but raked in £48million.
It was ranked tenth in the top British films of all time by the British Film Institute, with the soundtrack voted seventh best.
Is it about trainspotting?
No. The film is based on a novel by Irvine Welsh, who chose the title because drug use is seen by many as a pointless use of time – like trainspotting.
There is also a scene in the book where Renton and Begbie use an old railway as a toilet and “an auld drunkard” asks if they are “trainspottin’ ”.
It was cut from the film.
Who’s in it?
Ewan McGregor lost 2st and shaved his head to play Renton.
He and Danny Boyle fell out when the director apparently snubbed him for the starring role in The Beach four years later.
Jonny Lee Miller, who plays Sick Boy, was married to Angelina Jolie for 18 months.
He now stars in US drama Elementary.
Ewen Bremner played Renton on stage, but was Spud in the film.
His next big hit was Guy Ritchie’s Snatch.
Kevin McKidd of Grey’s Anatomy played Tommy, who dies from HIV-related toxoplasmosis – a parasitic infection.
“Psycho” Begbie is played by Robert Carlyle, who became a pin-up after taking his kit off in The Full Monty.
Emmy-winning Kelly Macdonald made her debut as schoolgirl Diane, who Renton beds not knowing she is underage, and later starred in Swallows and Amazons.
Shirley Henderson, Spud’s girlfriend Gail, has been in Happy Valley, the Harry Potter films and the Bridget Jones trilogy.
What’s it about?
“Skag-head” Renton is trying to escape heroin addiction – and his so-called mates – in Eighties Edinburgh.
The movie goes from filthy flats to grimy pubs to sweaty nightclubs, before Renton eventually gets clean after nearly dying of an overdose.
He moves to London.
But he is dragged back into the fold when Begbie, Sick Boy and Spud approach him with a lucrative heroin deal.
The group of hapless lads pull it off.
But rather than take his cut, Renton – who seems one of the most moral of the boys – sneaks off with the bag full of cash.
If you have a particularly weak stomach, avoid the scenes where Renton fishes suppositories from the “worst toilet in Scotland”, and where Spud soils the bed.
Why watch the sequel?
The opening “choose life” monologue from the original has been updated to include Facebook, revenge porn, reality TV and a zero-hours contract.
Irvine Welsh thinks the sequel will be better than the original.
It had a £13million budget and Robert Carlyle said: “It’s one of the best scripts I’ve f***ing read.”
The soundtrack includes Blondie, The Clash, Underworld, Queen and Frankie Goes To Hollywood.