The Edge (1997)

User Rating:

6.6/10   

Director:

Lee Tamahori

Writer (WGA):

David Mamet (written by)

Release Date:

26 September 1997 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Action | Adventure | Thriller

Tagline:

They were fighting over a woman when the plane went down. Now, their only chance for survival is each other.

Plot:

A billionaire and two other men are stranded, unequipped, by a plane crash in a dangerous wilderness. How many will survive to be rescued?

Plot Keywords:

Photo Shoot | Bear | Mind Game | Crash | Model

Cast

Anthony Hopkins	...	Charles Morse
Alec Baldwin	...	Robert Green
Elle Macpherson	...	Mickey Morse
Harold Perrineau	...	Stephen
Bart the Bear	...	The Bear
L.Q. Jones	...	Styles
Kathleen Wilhoite	...	Ginny
David Lindstedt	...	James
Mark Kiely	...	Mechanic
Eli Gabay	...	Jet Pilot
Larry Musser	...	Amphibian Pilot
Brian Arnold	...	Reporter
Bob Boyd	...	Reporter
Kelsa Kinsly	...	Reporter
Gordon Tootoosis	...	Jack Hawk

Also Known As:

Bookworm (USA) (working title)
The Wild (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for language and some adventure gore/violence.

Runtime:

117 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Argentina:13 | Peru:14 | USA:R (certificate #35275) | Iceland:14 | Iceland:16 (video rating) | South Korea:15 | Australia:M | Belgium:KT | Finland:K-16 | Germany:12 (w) | Portugal:M/12 (Qualidade) | Singapore:NC-16 | Spain:T | Sweden:15 | UK:15

Filming Locations:

Alberta, Canada

Company:

Art Linson Productions

Trivia:

Anthony Hopkins was suffering from a slipped disc throughout filming, and incorporated the pain he felt from this into his performance.

Goofs:

Factual errors: When Bob and Charles reach the abandoned cabin, Bob finds a Winchester model 1886 rifle and 45-70 Gov't. cartridges and starts loading it. Although the cartridges are correct for the rifle, the round nose bullets are not. Tubular magazine lever action rifles MUST use flat nose bullets to avoid discharging the cartridges ahead in the magazine upon the recoil of firing. The result would be that the rifle would explode, seriously injuring or killing the shooter.

Quotes:

Robert Green: Yeah, Well, you have no business with that broad. You know that you don't. I mean hey... hey... hey.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Saturday Night Live: Matthew Perry/Oasis (#23.2)" (1997)

Soundtrack:

Happy Birthday

A real sharp edge

A truly superb film. A story of survival. Not of the fittest but of the most dedicated and resourceful. Essentially a two character interplay, Anthony Hopkins and Alec Baldwin are perfectly cast with intense portrayals of their characters. The supporting cast is minimal but makes for a tasty side dish with Harold Perrineau, Elle Macpherson, and veteran actor L.Q. Jones as a venerable weathered sly fox. Written by David Mamet, whose magnificent style is evident throughout, and directed by Lee Tamahori the film delivers a unique array of action, dialogue. and symbolism. Added also is a magnifcent and haunting score by Jerry Goldsmith. Tribute must also be given to Bart the bear, his trainer. and the Animatronic bear which provided some terrific action sequences. A shame this film did not garner any awards. Recommended highly.