IMDb > Saint Jack (1979)

Saint Jack (1979) More at IMDbPro »

Overview

User Rating:
6.8/10   486 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 25% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Peter Bogdanovich
Writers:
Peter Bogdanovich (writer)
Howard Sackler (writer)
more
Contact:
View company contact information for Saint Jack on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
5 December 1979 (France) more
Genre:
Drama more
Tagline:
"People make love for so many crazy reasons-- why shouldn't money be one of them?" - The Gospel According To Saint Jack
Plot:
Compelling character study, revolving around Jack Flowers (Ben Gazzara), an American hustler trying... more | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Nominated for BAFTA Film Award. Another 1 win more
NewsDesk:
Culture Zohn Off the C(H)uff: Roger Corman and His Oscar
 (From Huffington Post. 12 November 2009, 9:08 PM, PST)
User Comments:
Bogdanovich return to form more (15 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Ben Gazzara ... Jack Flowers
Denholm Elliott ... William Leigh
James Villiers ... Frogget

Joss Ackland ... Yardley
Rodney Bewes ... Smale
Mark Kingston ... Yates
Lisa Lu ... Mrs. Yates
Monika Subramaniam ... Monika
Judy Lim ... Judy

George Lazenby ... Senator

Peter Bogdanovich ... Eddie Schuman
Joseph Noël ... Gopi
Kian Bee Ong ... Hing
Yan Meng Tan ... Little Hing
Andrew Chua ... Andrew
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Additional Details

Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parents
Runtime:
112 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Sound Mix:
Mono
Certification:
Singapore:M18 | Singapore:(Banned) (original rating) | West Germany:16 (f) | Australia:M | Finland:K-16 | USA:R
Filming Locations:
Singapore
Company:
Copa del Oro more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
According to Peter Bogdonavitch in his collaborative book "This is Orson Welles", Bogdonavitch wanted Welles to direct this film as a comeback for his mentor, and Welles was set to do so, but then, with some pressure from the studio, and his steady girlfriend Cybill Shepard, Bogdonavitch ended up directing it himself. This led to a falling-out between the two friends, Bogdonavitch and Welles, that wasn't completely resolved for nearly a decade, shortly before Welles's death. more
Quotes:
William Leigh: You're a ponce, aren't you?
Jack Flowers: Hard to say what anyone is.
William Leigh: I only mention it because, personally, I could never bring myself to pay.
Jack Flowers: William, people make love for so many crazy reasons, why shouldn't money be one of them?
more
Soundtrack:
Goldfinger more

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User Comments

   (Comment on this title)
3 out of 3 people found the following comment useful.
Bogdanovich return to form, 18 May 2005
9/10
Author: Sam Elsby from Hailsham, England

A poignant and evocative portrayal of the seamy side of Singapore that was banned by the island state's then Prime Minister Lee(no-chewing-gum) Kwan Yoo and which must have had him spluttering into his gin-sling. Jack Flowers (Ben Gazzara) is a pimp providing R & R for 'Nam GI's and tourists. Crossing the path of Triad gangs, who want to muscle in on his action, he refuses to be intimidated. By contrast his British ex-pat. acquaintances are post-colonial flotsam: all-day drinkers with no ambition but to live out the rest of their lives in a pastiche of Empire. The exception is William Leigh (Denholm Elliot) who gives a deftly understated and moving performance. Both BG and DE are utterly convincing in their interaction, which is the Anglo-American "special relationship" (and their countries' post-war global power shift) in microcosm. Gazzara matches arch scene-stealer Elliot belying the saying "Never act with children, animals or Denholm Elliot". With the plot covering prostitution, blackmail and protection and there is also a pervading feeling that in the 1970's there was no place on earth that was not corrupted by exploitation and misogyny. Understated and underrated, but brilliant cinema.

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