The Boondock Saints is a 1999 American crime film written and directed by Troy Duffy. The story revolves around two catholic vigilante killers from Boston who believe they are doing God’s work by ridding the streets from criminals — and yes you’ve guessed it, they have tattoos.
Of course that people would like a Boondock Saints tattoo when the two main characters are tattooed and speak badass prayers.
But what do they mean? Before we get on with the tattoos, let’s see what the movie is all about.
Boondock Saints Movie Background
The story was inspired when Troy Duffy witnessed a drug dealer taking money from a corpse at his apartment building in LA. Duffy was a bartender and bouncer before writing his screenplay for the Boondock Saints. After he completed the script he passed it off to a producer’s assistant at New Line Cinema. This is when Boondock Saints took Hollywood by storm. The movie gained 50 million in video sales.
It was filmed in Toronto, Canada and a few of the final scenes were filmed in Boston. It stars Sean Patrick Flanery and Norman Reedus as the MacManus brothers and Willian Dafoe as FBI agent Paul Smecker. The movie also features Ron Jeremy in a role of a scumbag pervert gangster which is his best performance by him so far.
As filmmakers, this movie definitely has a unique story. It is something that I haven’t seen before. It definitely tugs at the moral strings of the heart and mind. Is killing bad people okay? I guess each person would have their own opinion about this. At least it opens a conversation between people who have seen the film — which is exactly what we want.
The twists and turns in this movie are executed pretty well, but something rather interesting was the flashbacks. Every time the brothers were going to execute members of the mob, we are shown the scenes leading up to it. The shot fades and we see the aftermath of the chaos. FBI agent Smecker proceeds to tell us what went down and we are then graced with what happened during the murders.
What’s up With the Plot?
In Boston, two Irish American twin brothers, Connor and Murphy MacManus attend mass, during which the priest discusses Kitty Genovese’s death. Later, when Connor and Murphy are enjoying St.Patrick’s Day, two Russian mobsters approach and proclaim their intention to shut the bar and seize the property on which it is constructed. Maybe they had the notorious mobster three dot tattoo, who knows.
Either way, the Russians are defeated and humiliated in the ensuing fight. But they don’t stop there. They try to seek revenge but end up being killed by the two brothers in self-defense. When FBI agent Paul Smecker is assigned to the investigation, he interviews the two brothers and discovers that they are viewed as heroes by the people. Smecker declines to file charges when they recount the event to him, and they are permitted to spend the night in a holding cell to avoid media attention.
That night, they receive a call from God telling them to hunt down wicked men so that the innocent will flourish. Connor and Murphy make the decision to purge Boston of bad guys. Connor hears about a hotel gathering of Russian syndicate bosses. The brothers easily murder all nine Russian mobsters, while Rocco, a buddy of the brothers and an errand boy for the local mafia leader Guiseppe “Papa Joe” Yakavetta, is dispatched on a hit as an unsuspecting pawn.
The next day, Rocco discovers that he has been deceived, having been assigned to murder nine Russians with only a six-shot pistol. As a result, Rocco vows to assist Connor and Murphy. That night, they track down and assassinate Vincenzo Lapazzi, an underboss in the Yakavetta criminal family. Concerned that he may be a target, Papa Joe hires a hitman, Il Duce, to deal with them, which leads to an ambush.
Despite successfully chasing Il Duce away, the three men sustained significant injuries, including the loss of Rocco’s finger. The three go to a safe house to get their wounds treated. When the authorities perform an examination of the crime site hours later, the probe appears to be pointless since the brothers hide their tracks by sprinkling any blood left behind with ammonia.
Smecker decides to conduct an independent inquiry to determine who was responsible for the gun war. He was able to follow the evidence to Rocco and his two associates. This puts him in a tough position — torn between prosecuting the three men and supporting them in their cause. After getting drunk at a gay bar and subsequently getting advice from a reluctant priest, Smecker decides to help the trio.
Later, the brothers and Rocco inform Smecker they plan to infiltrate the Yakavetta headquarters, but Smecker learns they are walking into a trap. The brothers are captured and Rocco is shot and killed by Papa Joe. The boys are able to break free. Smecker appears as Papa Joe is leaving the home and kills a number of troops before being knocked unconscious by Il Duce.
Il Duce enters the room and prepares to open fire as the brothers recite their family prayer for Rocco. Instead, he finishes the prayer, exposing himself to be the boys’ father, and chooses to join his sons in their journey. What a plot twist, huh?
Three months later, Papa Joe was summoned for his third trial. However, the reporters on the scene believe he will be acquitted. After slipping their guns through the metal detector, the brothers and Il Duce invade the tribunal with the help of Smecker, Dolly, Duffy, and Greenly. Unmasked, they deliver a speech in which they declare their intention to exterminate evil wherever it may be found and murder Papa Joe. That, my friends, is how they received the nickname “Saints.” The end.
Boondock Saints Tattoo Designs
Did you like the movie? Wait until you see the tattoos. They are ideal if you plan on getting a custom design tattoo. Enjoy & get inspired!
BoonDock Saints Arm Tattoo
Boondock Saints Back Tattoo
Boondock Saints Thigh Tattoo
Boondock Saints Inner thigh Tattoo Tattoo
Boondock Saints Hand Tattoo
Boondock Saints Leg Portrait Tattoo
Boondock Saints Shoulder Blade Tattoo
Boondock Saints Inner Arm Tattoo
Boondock Saints Chest Tattoo Tattoo
Boondock Saints Forearm Tattoo
Boondock Saints Neck Tattoo
Boondock Saints Rib Tattoo
Boondock Saints Black & White Leg Tattoo
Final Thoughts on Boondock Saints Tattoo
The movie ends somewhat divisively with the question being posed — Are the Boondock Saints saviors of the city who are determined to kill criminals or are they themselves no better than the criminals they kill?
This is a question often put forth in superhero stories and mythologies, one of them being Medusa. The movie even ends with a montage of people on the streets saying what they think of the Boondock Saints. Half of the people claim they are great and do a good job, and the other half state they are no better than the violent criminals they attack. What do you think? Take your time to think and leave us a comment. In the meantime, check out the most painful places to get a tattoo.
