Spawn (1997)

Director:

Mark A.Z. Dippé

Writers (WGA):

Todd McFarlane (comic book)
Alan B. McElroy (screen story) ...

Release Date:

1 August 1997 (USA)

Genre:

Thriller | Action | Fantasy | Horror

Tagline:

Born in darkness. Sworn to justice.

Plot:

A mercenary is killed, but comes back from Hell as a reluctant soldier of the Devil.

Plot Keywords:

Devil | Hell | Clown | Revenge | Deal With The Devil

Awards:

1 win & 5 nominations

Cast

Michael Jai White	...	Al Simmons / Spawn
John Leguizamo	...	Clown / Violator
Martin Sheen	...	Jason Wynn
Theresa Randle	...	Wanda Blake
Nicol Williamson	...	Cogliostro
D.B. Sweeney	...	Terry Fitzgerald
Melinda Clarke	...	Jessica Priest
Miko Hughes	...	Zack
Sydni Beaudoin	...	Cyan
Michael Papajohn	...	Glen, Zack's Dad
Frank Welker	...	The Devil Malebolgia (voice)
Robia LaMorte	...	XNN Reporter (as Robia La Morte)
John Cothran Jr.	...	African Liaison
Caroline Gibson	...	News Anchor
Tony Haney	...	African Liaison

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for thematic elements involving the demonic underworld, violence, intense fantasy action and crude humor.

Runtime:

96 min | USA:98 min (director's cut)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Germany:18 (director's cut) | Iceland:14 | Iceland:16 (video rating) | South Korea:12 | Ireland:12 | Ireland:18 (director's cut) | Australia:M | Brazil:12 | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) | Canada:14A | Canada:PA (Manitoba) (director's cut) | Canada:18A (director's cut) | Finland:K-16 (video premiere) (director's cut) | Germany:16 | Hong Kong:IIB | Netherlands:16 | Norway:15 | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:PG | UK:12 | UK:15 (director's cut) | USA:PG-13 | USA:R (director's cut) | Mexico:B

Filming Locations:

Hollywood Center Studios - 1040 N. Las Palmas Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

New Line Cinema

Trivia:

The heavy metal band Iced Earth, which has made an album based on the comic Spawn, were offered the opportunity to be on the soundtrack. They turned it down, because they thought there was too much techno music on it.

Goofs:

Errors in geography: At the beginning of the movie, Sommins is supposed to be on a mission in Hong Kong, but when he fires his missile to destroy a terrorist's plane, you can see the famous lookout tower at LAX.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Cogliostro: The battle between Heaven and Hell has waged eternal, their armies fueled by souls harvested on Earth. The devil, Malebolgia, has sent a lieutenant to Earth to recruit men who will turn the world into a place of death in exchange for wealth and power, a place that will provide enough souls to complete his army and allow Armageddon to begin. All the Dark Lord needs now is a great soldier, someone who can lead his hordes to the gates of Heaven and burn them down.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in 1st Annual Mystery Science Theater 3000 Summer Blockbuster Review (1997) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Satan

I had never heard of Spawn until this came out

I first learned of "Spawn" from a trailer that preceded another movie. I overheard a friend say that Spawn was the #1 selling comic character in America. This was a real surprise to me, as I had never heard of Spawn. So, eventually, I went to see the movie. Having recently seen the beyond-dreadful "Batman and Robin", I figured that this one couldn't be any worse. Once the movie was over, I decided that it had been entertaining enough for the time being - mainly due to the maggots and the "Apocalypse Now" references - but didn't really amount to anything otherwise. Of course, I've never been into comic books, so maybe I'm not the right person to decide. I only recommend it if you want brief entertainment.

Starring Michael Jai White, John Leguizamo and Martin Sheen.