Home
search
more | tips
IMDb > Fargo (1996)
Fargo
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summaryplot synopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

Photos (see all 49 | slideshow) Videos
Fargo (1996) -- Jerry Lundegaard's inept crime falls apart due to his and his henchmen's bungling and the persistent police work of pregnant Marge Gunderson.

Overview

User Rating:
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 14% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
Joel Coen
more
Writers (WGA):
Joel Coen (written by) &
Ethan Coen (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for Fargo on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
8 March 1996 (USA) more
Genre:
Crime | Drama | Thriller more
Tagline:
A homespun murder story. more
Plot:
Jerry Lundegaard's inept crime falls apart due to his and his henchmen's bungling and the persistent police work of pregnant Marge Gunderson. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
Won 2 Oscars. Another 52 wins & 30 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(63 articles)
In Memoriam: Harve Presnell (1933-2009)
 (From Cinematical. 3 July 2009, 7:02 AM, PDT)

Harve Presnell Dies at 75
 (From TVGuide.com - Breaking News. 2 July 2009, 11:32 AM, PDT)

User Comments:
Paul Bunyan territory more

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

William H. Macy ... Jerome 'Jerry' Lundegaard

Steve Buscemi ... Carl Showalter

Peter Stormare ... Gaear Grimsrud
Kristin Rudrüd ... Jean Lundegaard
Harve Presnell ... Wade Gustafson

Tony Denman ... Scotty Lundegaard

Gary Houston ... Irate Customer
Sally Wingert ... Irate Customer's Wife
Kurt Schweickhardt ... Car Salesman
Larissa Kokernot ... Hooker #1

Melissa Peterman ... Hooker #2
Steve Reevis ... Shep Proudfoot (as Steven Reevis)

Warren Keith ... Reilly Diefenbach (voice)
Steve Edelman ... Morning Show Host
Sharon Anderson ... Morning Show Hostess
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

MPAA:
Rated R for strong violence, language and sexuality.
Runtime:
98 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Dolby SR

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The specific crimes shown in Fargo didn't happen, but the plot has elements of two well-known Minnesota crimes. In 1962, a St. Paul attorney named Eugene Thompson hired someone to kill his wife, Carol. Unbeknownst to Thompson, his man hired someone else to do the job. The second man fatally wounded Mrs. Thomspon in her house, but she managed to escape him. She went to a neighbor's house for help while her assailant fled the scene. The sloppiness and brutality of the crime attracted great attention. The murderers were quickly caught and gave up Thompson, who denied knowing anything about the crime for many years afterward. In 1972, Virginia Piper, the wife of a wealthy Orono banker, was kidnapped. A million-dollar ransom was paid, one of the largest in U.S. history. Mrs. Piper was found tied to a tree in a state park. Two men were convicted of the crime, but were acquitted after a re-trial. One of them later went on a shooting spree after his wife left him, killing her, their 5-year-old son, her son from a previous marriage, her new boyfriend, and one of his sons. Only $4,000 of the money was ever recovered. more
Goofs:
Crew or equipment visible: Shadow at lower left during zoom into Marge's bed. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Jerry Lundegaard: I'm, uh, Jerry Lundegaard.
Carl Showalter: You're Jerry Lundegaard?
Jerry Lundegaard: Ya. Shep Proudfoot said...
Carl Showalter: Shep said you'd be here at 7:30. What gives, man?
Jerry Lundegaard: Shep said 8:30.
Carl Showalter: We've been sitting here an hour. He's
[motioning to Gaer]
Carl Showalter: peed three times already.
Jerry Lundegaard: I'm sure sorry. Shep told me 8:30. It was a mix-up, I guess.
more
Movie Connections:
References Paris, Texas (1984) more

FAQ

How much sex, violence, and profanity are in this movie?
Did a Japanese woman die because she believed the movie was true?
Was Fargo based on a true story?
more
44 out of 69 people found the following comment useful:-
Paul Bunyan territory, 31 January 2006
10/10
Author: jotix100 from New York

Joel Coen the director of "Fargo", proves he is one of our best directors with this tale of deception and murder told in a style that takes humorous turns in the action. "Fargo" is one of the best American films of the nineties. Joel Coen working together with his brother, Ethan, have made pictures that will be viewed as classics, as time will tell. Their movies are always an excellent way to spend some time because they always manage to deliver, even in films that aren't popular with the public.

A lot of what makes this film work is the amazing casting feat the Coen brothers achieved in giving Frances McDormand and William H. Macy, two of our best film actors, prominent presence in it. The Marge Gunderson of Ms. McDormand is one of the best creations the Coen brothers have produced. The same can be said of William H. Macy's take on the pathetic Jerry Lundergaard, the idiotic man who sets things in motion in the film. Ms. McDormand and Mr. Macy have only one scene together, yet one wouldn't even think about other actors playing these roles.

The supporting cast of "Fargo" is a joy to watch. Steve Buscemi and Peter Stormare make two of the most enjoyable bad guys in memory. These two scum bags are a joke. Anyone in his right mind wouldn't entrust either Carl or Gaer for a hit job. John Carroll Lynch plays Norm, the stoic man who is married to Marge. Harve Presnell is good as Wade Gustafson.

The atmosphere created by the Coens work well. We are constantly reminded of the deep winter seasons of the area where the action takes place. They have given their characters a local flavor and even to hear them talk would take us to that region of the country.

"Fargo" is a joy to watch thanks to Joel and Ethan Coen.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Fargo (1996)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Major contradiction in the movie Copyright1994
Good movie? Sure. Comedy? I don't think so. Blessashell
What's the best Coen brothers movie? peterstevens
spolier: about the wife tua76515
Wow, the score here is fabulous. my-name-isobel
I didn't like this film, and yes, I 'get' it. djoverton
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
The Godfather Blade Runner Bad Boys II Pulp Fiction City of Shoulders and Noses
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb top 250 movies IMDb Crime section
IMDb USA section Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.