Misunderstood

Misunderstood is a 1984 American drama film directed by Jerry Schatzberg, based on the 1869 novel Misunderstood by Florence Montgomery. This film stars Henry Thomas as a young boy who struggles with family, friends, and relationships after his mother's death.

The novel Misunderstood had previously been adapted as the 1966 Italian film Incompreso, which starred Anthony Quayle.

Cast

 * Gene Hackman as Ned Rawley
 * Henry Thomas as Andrew
 * Rip Torn as Will
 * Huckleberry Fox as Miles
 * Maureen Kerwin as Kate
 * Susan Anspach as Lilly
 * June Brown as Mrs. Paley
 * Helen Ryan as Lucy
 * Nadim Sawalha as Ahmed
 * Nidal Al-Askhar as Mrs. Jallouli
 * Khaled Akrout as Electronic Shop Owner
 * Rajah Gafsi as Ali-Baroutta Cafe Owner
 * Moheddine Mrad as Kassir
 * James R. Cope as Mr. Grace
 * Halima Daoud as Aisha
 * Raad Rawi as Doctor
 * Habiba as Girl on Donkey
 * Fathia Boudabous as Woman Red Light District
 * Nabil Massad as Mr. Jallouli
 * Annick Allières as Marie
 * Mohamed Ben Othman as Chocolate Merchant
 * Abdellatif Hamrouni as Holy Man
 * Salah Rahmouni as Rachid
 * Mohamed Dous as Judo Instructor
 * Tarak Sancho as Ned's Driver
 * Noureddine Kasbaoui and Moncef Dhouib as Servants
 * Zouheir Bornaz as Kassir's Assistant
 * Hattah Dhib as Kassir's Driver
 * Mohamed Sghaier Ftouhi as Baroutta Spring Owner
 * Hella Boulila as Secretary, Ned's Office at Docks
 * Habib Chaari as Injured Man
 * Neal Anderson as Andrew's Opponent
 * André Valiquette as Bob
 * Dirk Holzapfel as Lucien

Box Office
Made on a budget of $10 million, the movie was also relying on A-List success of Gene Hackman and Henry Thomas, the latter of which was a successful child star who appeared in several blockbusters during that era. But the film flopped at the box office, opening at #11 with $916,967 in 741 screens, and went on to gross just $1,525,532 in its entire domestic run.

Production
Shooting took place over four months in 1982. The director shot two endings, and wanted to use the more tragic one. The producer, Tarak Ben Ammar, then assembled his own more upbeat version of the film, adding extra flashbacks. This was then changed by MGM/UA.