Ransom (1996)

User Rating:

6.6/10   

Director:

Ron Howard

Writers (WGA):

Cyril Hume (story) and
Richard Maibaum (story) ...

Release Date:

8 November 1996 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Crime | Thriller

Tagline:

Someone is going to pay.

Plot:

When a rich man's son is kidnapped, he cooperates with the police at first but then tries a unique tactic against the criminals.

Plot Keywords:

Ransom | Money | Police | Bounty | Laundromat

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 3 wins & 3 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Sat. Nov. 21	3:00 PM	TNT
Sun. Nov. 22	3:30 AM	TNT

Cast

Mel Gibson	...	Tom Mullen
Rene Russo	...	Kate Mullen
Brawley Nolte	...	Sean Mullen
Gary Sinise	...	Det. Jimmy Shaker
Delroy Lindo	...	Agent Lonnie Hawkins
Lili Taylor	...	Maris Conner
Liev Schreiber	...	Clark Barnes
Donnie Wahlberg	...	Cubby Barnes
Evan Handler	...	Miles Roberts
Nancy Ticotin	...	Agent Kimba Welch
Michael Gaston	...	Agent Jack Sickler
Kevin Neil McCready	...	Agent Paul Rhodes
Paul Guilfoyle	...	Wallace
Allen Bernstein	...	Bob Stone
José Zúñiga	...	David Torres

MPAA:

Rated R for graphic, bloody violence and strong language.

Runtime:

121 min | USA:139 min (laserdisc)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White | Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Netherlands:12 (TV rating) | UK:18 (video rating) (1997) | Philippines:PG-13 | New Zealand:R16 | Italy:VM14 | UK:15 (original rating) | Australia:MA | Finland:K-14 | Germany:16 (w) | Netherlands:16 | Norway:15 | Portugal:M/16 | Singapore:NC-16 | Singapore:PG (cut) | South Korea:15 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | USA:R (certificate #34835) | Argentina:16

Filming Locations:

Bergen County, New Jersey, USA

Company:

Imagine Entertainment

Trivia:

This film was based on an episode of "The United States Steel Hour" (1953) called "Fearful Decision" that first aired live on June 22, 1954. It was so well received it was restaged on May 10, 1955. A film was made from the drama called Ransom! (1956) that was released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.

Goofs:

Continuity: Sean works the tape off his right eye, but when the girl comes and sees that he can see her, the right eye is covered, and she puts tape back over his left eye.

Quotes:

[after Tom retrieved locker key from bottom of pool so he could change into disguise clothes]
Detective Jimmy Shaker: [snickers] Have a nice swim?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Nanny: Fransom (#5.4)" (1997)

Soundtrack:

Rats

Terrific acting complements great script

This is how it should be done, an exciting, exhilarating movie with great acting and a terrific script which grabs a hold of you and never lets go. Mel Gibson is fabulous (I'd almost forgotten he could act after all those lame Lethal Weapon movies). Gary Sinise, Rene Russo, and Delroy Lindo are equally superb. The viewer is always kept on the edge like you're a member of the Mullen household waiting to see if Tom will ever see his son again. Five stars *****