Vanishing Point (1997) (TV)

Director:

Charles Robert Carner

Writers:

Malcolm Hart (story)
Guillermo Cabrera Infante (earlier screenplay)

Release Date:

7 January 1997 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Romance

Plot:

When his wife goes into a troubled labor while he is on the road over 1200 miles away James Kowalski...

Plot Keywords:

Chase | Automobile | Car Accident | Military | Muscle Car

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Viggo Mortensen	...	Jimmy Kowalski
Christine Elise	...	Raphinia Kowalski
Steve Railsback	...	Sergeant Preston
Rodney A. Grant
Peter Murnik	...	Gilmore
James MacDonald		(as James G. MacDonald)
Paul Benjamin
Geno Silva	...	Mike Mas
John Doe	...	Sammy
Peta Wilson	...	Motorcycle girl
Keith David	...	Warren Taft
Jason Priestley	...	The Voice
Debra Sharkey	...	Producer
Ari Barak	...	Dr. Nazrin
Frank Roman	...	Hernando

Runtime:

91 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Netherlands:12 | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Tucson, Arizona, USA

Company:

Fox Television Network

Trivia:

The black 1968 Charger is a nod to another movie, Bullitt (1968).

Goofs:

Continuity: Interior shots of the Challenger at various times through out the movie show different dash designs. Early in the movie, we see a standard 3-spoke wheel with the 5-hole standard gauger cluster. Later, we see a Rallye gauger cluster with a Rim-Blow style wheel. These items swap back and forth until the end of the movie when once again, we see the Rallye Speedometer at 140mph.

Movie Connections:

Remake of Vanishing Point (1971)

Very speedy, very empty. Mortensen was pretty good.

I gotta admit that I've never seen the original "Vanishing point" (1971) - at least right now I have no recollection of it. Therefore I unfortunately can't compare the two and it's naturally pretty much impossible for me to estimate if this is good or bad film only as a remake. Still I have the courage to assume that this new version is just a pale shadow of the original 70's classic. If you want to see one practically an endless car chase you'll get it from here too but wild speeding and charisma of Viggo Mortensen can't keep a movie together too long if it's all the film has to offer. I watched "Vanishing point" all the way through and it had some entertaining and enjoyable scenes here and there. If you're looking for a simple, brisk action movie with lots of police cars, dusty road and a chance to marvel Mortensen's bushy sideburns this is all you need. But the plot sounded so great I honestly expected something bit more exciting. If I ever get a chance to see the original I would very gladly check it out. It would be quite interesting to find out if it's any better than this and how much better.