''Life with Billy'' is a 1994 Canadian

television film A television film, alternatively known as a television movie, made-for-TV film/movie, telefilm, telemovie or TV film/movie, is a film with a running time similar to a feature film that is produced and originally distributed by or to a Terrestr ...

based on the non-fiction book of the same name by

Brian Vallée Brian Michael Vallée (1940–2011) was a Canadian author, journalist, documentary film producer, screenwriter, and public speaker. He is best known for his work reflecting on domestic violence and his role with CBC's award-winning documentary pro ...

. The film was nominated for five

Gemini Awards The Gemini Awards were awards given by the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television between 1986–2011 to recognize the achievements of Canada's English-language television industry. The Gemini Awards are analogous to the Emmy Awards given in th ...

, and won three. The film begins with

Jane Hurshman Jane Hurshman Corkum (January 25, 1949 – February 22, 1992) was a Canadian woman best known for having killed her abusive ex-husband Lamont William "Billy" Stafford on the evening of March 11, 1982, and for being acquitted of his murder. Th ...

(Beatty) shooting her

common-law husband Common-law marriage, also known as non-ceremonial marriage, marriage, informal marriage, de facto marriage, more uxorio or marriage by habit and repute, is a marriage that results from the parties' agreement to consider themselves married, follo ...

Billy Stafford (McHattie) in his sleep, and then shows the resulting police investigation and trial, interspersed with flashbacks showing the

domestic abuse Domestic violence is violence that occurs in a domestic setting, such as in a marriage or cohabitation. In a broader sense, abuse including nonphysical abuse in such settings is called domestic abuse. The term "domestic violence" is often use ...

that Stafford inflicted on Hurshman over the course of their relationship for 5 years.

Cast

* Nancy Beatty as Jane Hurshman *

Stephen McHattie Stephen McHattie Smith (born February 3, 1947) is a Canadian actor. Since beginning his professional career in 1970, he has amassed over 200 film and television credits. He won the Genie Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in '' ...

as Billy Stafford *

Deb Allen Deb or DEB may refer to: People * Deb (surname) * Deb (given name) * A débutante DEB * Dynamic energy budget theory (DEB theory), a metabolic theory * Epidermolysis bullosa dystrophica (dystrophic EB), a disease * German Ice Hockey Federation ( ...

as Mandy *

Glenn Wadman Glenn may refer to: Name or surname * Glenn (name) * John Glenn, U.S. astronaut Cultivars * Glenn (mango) * a 6-row barley variety Places In the United States: * Glenn, California * Glenn County, California * Glenn, Georgia, a settlement i ...

as Ronnie Wamboldt *

Matthew Ferguson Matthew Ferguson (born 3 April 1973) is a Canadian former actor. He is known for his roles in '' On My Own'' (1991), ''Love and Human Remains'' (1993), ''Lilies'' (1996), and '' La Femme Nikita'' (1997–2001). Life and career Ferguson was bo ...

as Allan Whynot * Joadi Newcomb as Dini Harrison *

Nancy Marshall Nancy may refer to: Places France * Nancy, France, a city in the northeastern French department of Meurthe-et-Moselle and formerly the capital of the duchy of Lorraine ** Arrondissement of Nancy, surrounding and including the city of Nancy ...

as Bernice Wamboldt * Tony Quinn as Cpl. Lawson *

Richard Donat Richard Donat (born 1 June 1941) is a Canadian actor, known for his work in Canadian and American television. He is well known for playing the character Vince Teagues in the Canadian–American TV series, '' Haven''. Donat is the younger brot ...

as Constable Snow

Awards

Won

Gemini Award The Gemini Awards were awards given by the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television between 1986–2011 to recognize the achievements of Canada's English-language television industry. The Gemini Awards are analogous to the Emmy Awards given in t ...

for Best Direction in a Dramatic Program or Mini-Series - Paul Donovan * Gemini Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Program or Mini-Series - Stephen McHattie * Gemini Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Program or Mini-Series - Nancy Beatty

Nominations

* Gemini Award for Best TV Movie - Eric Jordan & Michael Donovan * Gemini Award for Best Writing in a Dramatic Program or Mini-Series - John Frizzell & Judith Thompson

External links

*
Book author profile

Official Website of Brian Vallee

Life with Billy series in the Brian Vallée archival fonds
English-language Canadian films Canadian drama television films 1994 drama films Films set in Nova Scotia Films shot in Nova Scotia Films based on non-fiction books Films about domestic violence Canadian Screen Award–winning television shows 1994 television films 1994 films Films directed by Paul Donovan 1990s Canadian films {{Canada-tv-film-stub

Cast

Awards

Won

Nominations

Read also

External links