Phenomenon (1996)

Director:

Jon Turteltaub

Writer (WGA):

Gerald Di Pego (written by)

Release Date:

3 July 1996 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance | Fantasy

Tagline:

Some things in life just can't be explained.

Plot:

An ordinary man sees a bright light descend from the sky, and discovers he now has super-intelligence and telekinesis.

Plot Keywords:

Ham Radio | Courage | Pajamas | Psionic Power | Love

Awards:

7 wins & 7 nominations

Cast

John Travolta	...	George Malley
Kyra Sedgwick	...	Lace Pennamin
Forest Whitaker	...	Nate Pope
Robert Duvall	...	Doc Brunder
Jeffrey DeMunn	...	Prof. John Ringold
Richard Kiley	...	Dr. Wellin
Brent Spiner	...	Dr. Bob Niedorf
Vyto Ruginis	...	Ted Rhome
Bruce A. Young	...	FBI Agent Jack Hatch (as Bruce Young)
Michael Milhoan	...	Jimmy
Sean O'Bryan	...	Banes
David Gallagher	...	Al Pennamin
Ashley Buccille	...	Glory Pennamin
Tony Genaro	...	Tito
Troy Evans	...	Roger
Elisabeth Nunziato	...	Ella
Ellen Geer	...	Bonnie
James Keane	...	Pete
Susan Merson	...	Nurse
James Anthony Cotton	...	Cal, Hospital Orderly (as James Cotton)
Justin DiPego	...	UFO Man
Mark Soper	...	KCUD-TV Reporter
Daniel Zacapa	...	Father at Book Fair
Cab Covay	...	Book Fair Heckler
Tony A. Mattos	...	Ella's Father
Mark Valim	...	Alberto
Carl D. Parker	...	Man in the Orchard (as Carl Parker)
Beth Kennedy	...	FBI Agent
Tom Fridley	...	FBI Agent
Richard Gross	...	Customer at Malley's
Jack Chouchanian	...	MRI Technician
Michael Forner	...	Charlie Shipper
Sage Callaway	...	Female Officer
Jewel Benedict	...	Townswoman (May)
Betsy Berryhill	...	Townswoman (at bar)
Mariann V. Carothers	...	Townswoman (furniture store owner)
Claudia Crespin	...	Townswoman (in crowd)
Joseph A. Nicosia	...	Townsman (man #2 at bar)
Dan Partain	...	Townsman (man #3 at bar)
Isaac Reiswig	...	Townsman (in crowd)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Joseph Amey	...	Book fair spectator (uncredited)
Noah Michael Levine	...	FBI Agent (uncredited)
Anni Long	...	Maj. Benz (uncredited)
Will Prater	...	Helicopter Pilot (uncredited)
Anthony Snow	...	Interrogation Recorder (uncredited)
Sandy Stoltz	...	Duck Carnie (uncredited)
Eric Tignini	...	Agent (uncredited)
Derek Zemrak	...	FBI Investigator (uncredited)

Directed by
Jon Turteltaub

Writing credits (WGA)
Gerald Di Pego		(written by) (as Gerald Dipego)

Produced by
Barbara Boyle	....	producer
Jonathan D. Krane	....	executive producer (as Jonathan Krane)
Charles Newirth	....	executive producer
Michael Taylor	....	producer

Original Music by
Thomas Newman

Cinematography by
Phedon Papamichael		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Bruce Green

Production Design by
Garreth Stover

Art Direction by
Bruce Alan Miller

Set Decoration by
Jay Hart

Costume Design by
Betsy Cox

Makeup Department
Fríða Aradóttir	....	key hair stylist (as Frida Aradottier)
Michelle Bühler	....	makeup artist: Mr. Travolta (as Michelle Buhler)
Hallie D'Amore	....	key makeup artist
Susan V. Kalinowski	....	hair stylist: Mr. Travolta

Production Management
Allegra Clegg	....	production supervisor
Charles Newirth	....	unit production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
George Bamber	....	second assistant director
Geoffrey Hansen	....	first assistant director (as Geoff Hansen)
Eric Tignini	....	second second assistant director

Art Department
Craig B. Ayers Sr.	....	greensman
Victoria Carlson	....	stand-by painter
Gary Deaton	....	construction coordinator
Richard Fernandez	....	set designer
Bobby Joe Garren	....	greensman (as Bobby J. Garren)
Michael Gastaldo	....	assistant property master
Gerald Lehtola	....	art department coordinator (as Gerald R. Lehtola)
Kimberlee Lucas	....	set estimator
Robert Lucas	....	leadman
Doni McMillan	....	assistant property master (as Donald A. McMillan)
Robin L. Miller	....	property master
Kenny Montante	....	leadman (as Kenneth Montante)
Troy Alan Peters	....	on-set dresser (as Troy Peters)
Lori Rowbotham	....	set designer
Dwight Williams	....	construction foreman
Chris Cornwell	....	assistant art director (uncredited)
Mary Locatell	....	illustrator (uncredited)
Nanci Noblett	....	set designer (uncredited)
Tom Richardson	....	set painter (uncredited)
Doug Sieck	....	set dresser (uncredited)

Sound Department
David Behle	....	sound recordist
Michael J. Broomberg	....	foley artist (as Michael Broomberg)
Gary Dowling	....	cable person
Julia Evershade	....	sound editor
Howell Gibbens	....	sound editor
Michael Herbick	....	sound re-recording mixer
Robert Jackson	....	boom operator
Ron Judkins	....	sound mixer (as Ronald Judkins)
Doc Kane	....	adr mixer
Jack Keller	....	sound recordist
Robert J. Litt	....	sound re-recording mixer
Mark A. Mangini	....	supervising sound editor (as Mark Mangini)
Jeena M. Phelps	....	assistant sound editor (as Jeena Phelps)
Joan Rowe	....	foley artist
Elliot Tyson	....	sound re-recording mixer
Scott Weber	....	foley mixer
Donald C. Rogers	....	technical director of sound (uncredited)

Special Effects by
David Blitstein	....	special effects coordinator
Rod M. Janusch	....	special effects

Visual Effects by
Nikki Bell	....	production assistant: SPI
Mageara Cameron	....	visual effects coordinator: SPI
Louis Cetorelli	....	CG supervisor: SPI
Jerome Chen	....	senior technical designer: SPI
Heather Davis	....	lead digital compositor: SPI
Mark Holmes	....	Flame artist: SPI
Ivo Horvat	....	conceptual illustrator: SPI
Martin A. Kline	....	visual effects art director: SPI (as Marty Kline)
Christopher Leone	....	lead film recordist: SPI (as Chris Leone)
Raquel Morales	....	digital matte painter: SPI
Mike Perry	....	particle animator: SPI
Ken Ralston	....	visual effects supervisor: SPI
Jody Rogers	....	visual effects editor: SPI
Aileen Timmers	....	visual effects producer: SPI
Ian Wosiski	....	technical assistant: SPI
Michael Curtis	....	digital compositor (uncredited)
Audrea Topps Harjo	....	production software coordinator (uncredited)

Stunts
David Cadiente	....	stunts
Jeff Cadiente	....	stunt coordinator
Anita Hart	....	stunts
Mark Riccardi	....	stunts
Erik Stabenau	....	stunts

Camera and Electrical Department
Audie Aragon	....	dolly grip
Jack Chouchanian	....	grip
Joseph Emanuele	....	electrician (as Joseph G. Emanuele)
Robert Gray	....	key grip
Khan Griffith	....	electrician
Mark Hadland	....	best boy electric
Bob Hall	....	first assistant camera
D.J. Harder	....	second assistant camera
Philip Ho	....	grip (as Phil Ho)
Scott Howell	....	best boy grip (as Scott A. Howell)
Doug Hunt	....	video assist operator (as Douglas W. Hunt)
Ian Kincaid	....	gaffer (as Ian R. Kincaid)
Cindy Lagerstrom	....	electrician (as Cynthia K. Lagerstrom)
Robert 'Boomer' McCann	....	grip (as Robert J. 'Boomer' McCann)
Thomas Nead	....	rigging gaffer (as Thomas G. Nead)
Wally Pfister	....	camera operator
Boris Price	....	camera loader
Zade Rosenthal	....	still photographer
Terry Sullivan	....	electrician
John T. Connor	....	assistant camera (uncredited)
Glenn Fishel	....	grip (uncredited)
Chris Hood	....	additional second assistant camera (uncredited)
Gregory Lundsgaard	....	steadicam operator (uncredited)
Dale Myrand	....	first assistant camera: "b" camera (uncredited)

Casting Department
Beau Bonneau	....	casting: San Francisco
Barbara Harris	....	voice casting
Michele Juskowitz	....	casting associate
Renee Rousselot	....	casting

Costume and Wardrobe Department
James P. Cullen	....	costumer: Mr. Travolta
Elaine Davis	....	costumer
Lori DeLapp	....	key set costumer (as Lori McClellen)
Kimberly Guenther	....	costume supervisor

Editorial Department
Theron Alford	....	editorial intern
Tzarina V. Edillon	....	assistant editor (as Tzarina V. Edillon Burrell)
Mark V. Phillips	....	assistant editor
Bob Putynkowski	....	color timer (as Robert Putynkowski)
David Rennie	....	associate editor
Theresa Repola Mohammed	....	negative cutter
Abraham Park	....	post-production assistant (uncredited)
Amy Tompkins	....	assistant editor (uncredited)

Music Department
Bill Bernstein	....	music editor
Julian Bratolyubov	....	music preparation
Jordan Corngold	....	assistant music editor
Norman Dlugatch	....	music technical engineer (as Norm Dlugatch)
Dominic Gonzales	....	music floorperson
Leslie Morris	....	music contractor
Stephanie Murray	....	score stage administrator
Kathy Nelson	....	music supervisor
Thomas Pasatieri	....	orchestrator
Spencer Proffer	....	music consultant
John Richards	....	music recordist
Robbie Robertson	....	executive soundtrack producer
Dennis S. Sands	....	music mixer (as Dennis Sands)
Dennis S. Sands	....	music recordist (as Dennis Sands)
Allen Sides	....	music mixer
Allen Sides	....	music recordist
Paul Wertheimer	....	music recordist
Tom Winslow	....	additional music engineer
Tom Winslow	....	additional music mixer
Brian Benison	....	music preparation (uncredited)

Transportation Department
Randy Cantor	....	transportation captain
Joel Marrow	....	transportation coordinator
Tony Brazas	....	driver: Mr. Travolta (uncredited)
Mike H. Wilson	....	picture car production assistant (uncredited)

Other crew
Alicia Accardo	....	script supervisor
Matt Adler	....	adr voice
Tony Alda	....	adr voice
Michael Alexander	....	animal trainer
Charles Bazaldua	....	adr voice
Dale Becker	....	production assistant
Tiger Bela	....	assistant: Mr. Taylor and Ms. Boyle
Gray Beverley	....	assistant: Mr. Whitaker (as John 'Gray' Beverly)
Christine Bloomingdale	....	studio teacher
Paul Boyle	....	production assistant
George A. Cassell III	....	production assistant (as George Cassell)
Sheigh Crabtree	....	production assistant
Robert Dawson	....	title designer: main title sequence
Sara Dee	....	assistant: Mr. Newirth (as Sara B. Dee)
David Denison	....	production assistant (as David C. Denison)
Michael Dermer	....	production assistant (as Michael B. Dermer)
Holly Dorff	....	adr voice
Eduardo Eusebio	....	language coach
Peter Evangelatos	....	craft service
Efrain Figueroa	....	adr voice
Greg Finley	....	adr voice
Vivian Gosnell	....	assistant location manager
Barbara Harris	....	adr voice (as Barbara Iley)
Dylan J. Hay Chapman	....	production assistant
Debra James	....	production coordinator
Michael R. Kern	....	assistant accountant
Mara Kerum	....	caterer: Tony's Food Service
David Allen Kramer	....	adr voice (as David Kramer)
Jennie Latham	....	production assistant (as Jennie Marie Latham)
Paul LaZebnik	....	assistant production coordinator
Amy Leigh Johnson	....	unit publicist
Kamala Lopez	....	adr voice (as Kamala Dawson)
Kimberlyn Lucken	....	assistant: Mr. Krane (as Kimberlyn M. Lucken)
Maria Helena Martins	....	adr voice
Liz Matthews	....	location manager
Susan Mieras	....	assistant: Ms. Sedgwick
Mary Mooney	....	assistant: Jon Turteltaub
Robert J. Morton	....	on-set assistant: Mr. Travolta
Kathleen M. Murray	....	assistant: Mr. Duvall
Diana Leigh Myers	....	assistant location manager (as Diana Myers)
Christine Pawlowski	....	assistant accountant
Randol Perelman-Taylor	....	production assistant
Jolanta Piwowarczyk	....	assistant accountant
David Randolph	....	adr voice
Dale Raoul	....	adr voice
Noreen Reardon	....	adr voice
Douglas V.R. Shellow	....	production secretary
Guy J. Snow	....	production assistant
Rebecca Stefan	....	production assistant
Cheryl A. Stone	....	production accountant (as Cheryl Stone)
Susan Such	....	executive assistant: Mr. Travolta
Philip Wood	....	travel services: World Travel
Tony Brazas	....	assistant: Mr. Travolta (uncredited)
Terri L. Burns	....	production assistant (uncredited)
Michael Higham	....	programmer (uncredited)
Edward Hodges	....	production assistant (uncredited)
Tony Kerum	....	caterer (uncredited)

Thanks
Scott Hollibaugh	....	special thanks
Jennifer Jasper	....	special thanks: commissioner, Placer County Film Commission

Production Companies

• Touchstone Pictures (presents)

Distributors

• Buena Vista Pictures (1996) (USA) (theatrical)
• American Broadcasting Company (ABC) (1999) (USA) (TV) (broadcast premiere)
• Abril Vídeo (Brazil) (VHS)
• Buena Vista Home Entertainment (Brazil) (DVD)
• Falcon (1996) (Czech Republic) (theatrical)
• Gativideo (1996) (Argentina) (VHS)
• Gaumont Buena Vista International (GBVI) (France)
• Laurenfilm (Spain)
• Touchstone Home Video (video)

Special Effects

• Sony Pictures Imageworks (SPI)

Other Companies

• Beau Bonneau Casting  extras casting
• Beau Bonneau Casting  location casting
• Reprise Records  soundtrack
• Walt Disney Pictures and Television  for purposes of copyright law in the United Kingdom this picture was created by

MPAA:

Rated PG for language and mild sensuality.

Runtime:

123 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (FotoKem)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Iceland:L | South Korea:15 | Philippines:G | Netherlands:MG6 | Argentina:Atp | Australia:PG | Austria:12 | Finland:S | Germany:12 | Peru:PT | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:PG | Spain:T | Sweden:7 | UK:PG | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Auburn, California, USA

Company:

Touchstone Pictures

Trivia:

Nate Pope (Forest Whitaker) is an Amateur Radio operator with the call sign WB6QLF. QLF is amateur shorthand for "I am sending with my left foot", a reference to someone whose Morse Code sending skill is very bad. This is normally sent as a question "QLF?" meaning "Are you sending with your left foot?" to an operator who is very difficult to understand in Morse.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When George uses the tape recorder to record the Morse code signals, there's no tape in the recorder.

Quotes:

George Malley: Everything is on its way to somewhere.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "My Name Is Earl: Monkeys in Space (#1.14)" (2006)

Soundtrack:

Everyday is a Winding Road

One of my all-time favorites.

This movie doesn't get the credit that it deserves. Travolta's speech at the end of the movie to the doctor is incredible. Rarely do I ever see a movie that acknowledges the value of a single human life like this movie does. Most movies glorify sacrifice. This movie glorifies life. I highly recommend it.