The Hitcher (1986)

Director:

Robert Harmon

Writer:

Eric Red (written by)

Release Date:

21 February 1986 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Thriller

Tagline:

The terror starts the moment he stops.

Plot:

A young man who escaped the clutches of a murderous hitch-hiker is subsequently stalked, framed for the hitcher's crimes, and has his life made into hell by the same man he escaped.

Plot Keywords:

Police | Murder | Hitchhiker | Truck Stop | Serial Killer

Awards:

3 wins

Cast

Rutger Hauer	...	John Ryder
C. Thomas Howell	...	Jim Halsey
Jennifer Jason Leigh	...	Nash
Jeffrey DeMunn	...	Captain Esteridge
John M. Jackson	...	Sergeant Starr (as John Jackson)
Billy Green Bush	...	Trooper Donner (as Billy Greenbush)
Jack Thibeau	...	Trooper Prestone
Armin Shimerman	...	Interrogation Sergeant
Gene Davis	...	Trooper Dodge (as Eugene Davis)
Jon Van Ness	...	Trooper Hapscomb
Henry Darrow	...	Trooper Hancock
Tony Epper	...	Trooper Conners
Tom Spratley	...	Proprietor
Colin Campbell	...	Construction Man
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Brittania	...	(uncredited)
Garth Shaw	...	Photographer (uncredited)

Directed by
Robert Harmon

Writing credits
Eric Red		(written by)

Produced by
David Bombyk	....	producer
Edward S. Feldman	....	executive producer
Paul Lewis	....	co-producer
Charles R. Meeker	....	executive producer
Kip Ohman	....	producer

Original Music by
Mark Isham

Cinematography by
John Seale		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Frank J. Urioste

Casting by
Penny Perry

Production Design by
Dennis Gassner

Art Direction by
Dins W.W. Danielsen		(as Dins Danielson)

Set Decoration by
Lynda Burbank

Makeup Department
Leslie Ann Anderson	....	hair stylist (as Leslie Anne Anderson)
Pamela Peitzman	....	makeup artist

Production Management
James L. Honore	....	post-production supervisor (as James L. Honoré)
Paul Lewis	....	unit production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Craig Beaudine	....	first assistant director
Leigh Webb	....	second assistant director
Frank Capra III	....	second assistant director: second unit (uncredited)

Art Department
Tommy Estridge	....	property master
J. Rae Fox	....	assistant art director
Nancy Haigh	....	art department coordinator
Kerry Jennings	....	assistant property master
Tom O'Brien	....	construction coordinator
William Stout	....	production illustrator
David J. Barker	....	property maker (uncredited)

Sound Department
Destiny Borden	....	adr assistant
Robert Deschaine	....	adr recordist
Robert Deschaine	....	foley recordist
Stephen Hunter Flick	....	supervising sound effects editor (as Stephen Flick)
Avram D. Gold	....	adr editor (as Avram Gold)
Warren Hamilton Jr.	....	sound editor
Gregg Landaker	....	sound re-recording mixer
Mark A. Mangini	....	supervising sound effects editor (as Mark Mangini)
Steve Maslow	....	sound re-recording mixer
Michael Minkler	....	sound re-recording mixer
Art Names	....	production sound mixer
Joan Rowe	....	foley artist
Gregg Barbanell	....	foley artist (uncredited)
Peggy Names	....	boom operator (uncredited)
Robert Nichols II	....	sound recordist (uncredited)
Steve Richardson	....	sound editor (uncredited)
Jerry Trent	....	foley artist (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Arthur Brewer	....	special effects supervisor (as Art Brewer)
Patricia Brewer	....	special effects assistant
Ken Estes	....	special effects assistant
Terry W. King	....	special effects assistant (as Terry King)
Leo Leoncio Solis	....	special effects assistant (as Leo Solis)
Jarn Heil	....	special effects technician (uncredited)
Andrew Miller	....	special effects (uncredited)

Stunts
Janet Brady	....	stunt double: Nash
Jophery C. Brown	....	stunts: Sheriff #2 (as Jophery Brown)
David Burton	....	stunt double: Halsey (as Dave Burton)
Justin De Rosa	....	stunt double: Ryder (as Justin Derosa)
Eddy Donno	....	stunt coordinator
Kenny Endoso	....	stunts: Sheriff #4 (as Ken Endoso)
Freddie Hice	....	stunts: Sheriff #1
Danny Rogers	....	stunts: Sheriff #3 (as Danny Rodgers)
Arthur Brewer	....	stunts (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Brian W. Armstrong	....	second assistant camera (as Brian Armstrong)
Wayne Baker	....	aerial camera technician: second unit
James L. Carter	....	camera operator: second unit (as Jim Carter)
Jack Cooperman	....	aerial photographer: second unit
François Duhamel	....	still photographer (as Francois Duhamel)
Carlos M. Gallardo	....	best boy (as Carlos Gallardo)
Eyal Geva	....	second assistant camera
Ross Judd	....	first assistant camera: second unit
Bruce Kaye	....	first assistant camera: second unit
Robin P. Knight	....	key grip (as Robin Knight)
Walt Lloyd	....	camera operator
Jesse Mather	....	best boy electric
Charles Minsky	....	director of photography: second unit (as Chuck Minsky)
Lee Nashold	....	camera car operator
Tim Phelps	....	gaffer
László Regos	....	panaglide operator: second unit (as Laszlo Regos)
David Schmier	....	first assistant camera
Mark Simon	....	first assistant camera: second unit
Philip Sloan	....	dolly grip (as Phil Sloan)
Joseph D. Steuben	....	camera operator: second unit (as Joe Steuben)
Jonathan Sharpe	....	second assistant camera (uncredited)
Lee Sollenberger	....	rigging grip (uncredited)

Casting Department
Megan Branman	....	casting assistant

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Jac McAnelly	....	key costumer
Parker Poole	....	costumer
Simon Tuke	....	costumer

Editorial Department
Richard Candib	....	first assistant editor
Barry Dresner	....	second assistant editor
Tracey McCampbell	....	second assistant editor
Judi Rosner	....	post-production coordinator

Music Department
Gary Clayton	....	music mixer
Nicholas C. Washington	....	music editor (as Nicholas Washington)
Samuel Lehmer	....	score mixer (uncredited)

Transportation Department
Jason Belsky	....	driver
Robert Benjamin	....	driver
Russ Buckens	....	transportation captain
Jim Daily	....	driver: special effects
Steve Halsey	....	driver
Steve Hellerstein	....	transportation coordinator
Lou Kinney	....	driver
Larry Michael	....	driver
Robert Suer	....	driver: special effects
Carl Thompson	....	transportation captain

Other crew
Frank Ancone	....	first aid (as Frank Aucone)
Mel Bucholz	....	customer service: MGM Lab
Katie Carmichael	....	production assistant
Robert J. Elisberg	....	unit publicist (as Bob Elisberg)
Dennis Gassner	....	title designer
Gary Glover	....	production assistant
Karen Golden	....	script supervisor
Jack W. Haddox	....	production accountant (as Jack Haddox)
Matt Hall	....	production assistant
Julie Jones	....	assistant accountant
Catalaine Knell	....	production secretary
Margaret Krueger	....	production assistant
Sal Lombardo	....	production assistant
Cass Martin	....	location manager
Larry Moss	....	production consultant
Scott Nyegaard	....	production assistant
Ross Reynolds	....	helicopter pilot: second unit
Lenny Rogel	....	production assistant
Debra Scutari	....	production coordinator (as Debbie Scutari)
Rodney Stone	....	production assistant
Craig Miller	....	marketing consultant (uncredited)

Production Companies

• HBO Pictures (presents)
• Silver Screen Partners (in association with)

Distributors

• TriStar Pictures (1986) (USA) (theatrical)
• Shochiku-Fuji Company (1986) (Japan) (theatrical)
• Tohokushinsha Film (1986) (Japan) (theatrical)
• Cannon France (1986) (France) (theatrical)
• Sandrew Film & Teater (1986) (Sweden) (theatrical)
• Ekaterinburg Art Home Video (EAHV) (19??) (Russia) (VHS)
• Flashstar (19??) (Brazil) (VHS)
• Front Row Filmed Entertainment (2008) (United Arab Emirates) (DVD) (Middle East)
• Hollydan Works (2000) (Yugoslavia) (DVD)
• Home Box Office Home Video (HBO) (1987) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
• Home Box Office Home Video (HBO) (1993) (USA) (VHS)
• Home Box Office Home Video (HBO) (1999) (USA) (DVD) (VHS)
• Incorporated Television Company (ITC) (1990s) (USA) (TV)
• Kinowelt Home Entertainment (2003) (Germany) (DVD)
• Lumiere Home Video (19??) (Australia) (VHS)
• Momentum Pictures Home Entertainment (2003) (UK) (DVD)
• RCV Home Entertainment (2005) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Thorn EMI Video Australia (19??) (Australia) (VHS)
• Thorn EMI (19??) (UK) (VHS)
• Warner Home Video (19??) (Australia) (VHS)

Special Effects

• Cinema Research (special visual effects)
• Makeup Effects Laboratories

Other Companies

• Bongo Post  soundtrack
• Cinema Cafe  catering
• Cinema Research  titles
• Goldwyn Sound Facility  re-recorded at
• Lion's Gate Sound  post-production facilities

Also Known As:

Runtime:

97 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo (Dolby Stereo) | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Iceland:16 | South Korea:18 | Australia:MA (re-rating) | Ireland:18 | Spain:18 | Australia:R | Canada:R | France:-12 | Italy:VM14 | New Zealand:R16 | Norway:18 | Portugal:M/18 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | USA:R | West Germany:18 | Finland:K-18 (1986) (uncut version) | Finland:K-16 (1993) (cut version) | Germany:BPjM Restricted

Filming Locations:

Amboy, California, USA

Company:

HBO Pictures

Trivia:

C. Thomas Howell admitted that he was actually afraid of Rutger Hauer on and off the set because of the actor's general intensity.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: During the final scene when Rutger Hauer jumps out of the back of the bus and flies through the windshield of the Dodge Ramcharger, the windshield shatters like regular glass, not safety glass.

Quotes:

[Picking up the hitchhiker]
Jim Halsey:My mother told me to never do this.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Dawson's Creek: Eastern Standard Time (#4.18)" (2001)

Soundtrack:

DON'T STOP LOVIN' ME

Incredible achievement in the art department, but not for everybody

The Hitcher (1986) was a directing debut for Robert Harmon, who had previously worked as a cameraman. The film is written by Eric Red whose other credits as a writer include brilliant Near Dark by Kathryn Bigelow. The Hitcher tells the story of an ordinary young man, who is taking his friend's car to other state/destination through the empty and deserted roads of America. He is very tired and almost collides with a huge truck. It rains hard. Soon he notices a figure standing by the side of the road raising his thumb..Our youngster unwisely stops and says the legendary line: "My mom always told not to do this." And then, the incredible and surrealistic nightmare begins...

This film is unbelievably beautifully shot and it is easy to see that Harmon was cinematographer before this directing debut. Camera flows and moves so smoothly and gently that the atmosphere is guaranteed to last throughout the film. The music by Mark Isham is also extremely important element and with the exceptional camerawork, these are the greatest elements in this piece of difficult art. The scenes are very similar in mood to Kathryn Bigelow's Near Dark which has the unforgettable music by Tangerine Dream, and both films are scripted by Eric Red, as mentioned earlier. The Hitcher is one of the most beautiful terror films I've ever witnessed.

The Hitcher is not a realistic film and the hitcher character played by Rutger Hauer is not a realistic human being as he can follow the young protagonist (C.J Howell) anywhere and always knows where he is. He will kill the youngster no matter what and no one can tell why. Even the hitcher himself doesn't give a clear answer when he is asked why he kills and does these horrific things. My opinion is that the hitcher is a double side of Howell's personality (everyman's personality) and he is the bad and evil side of human beings' nature. The hitcher is pure evil and no one can change his thoughts and mind, because evil cannot be changed or turned into "good." It is about which side, evil or good, is one's primary personality. There are always both sides, but the both cannot influence at the same time..Howell has to destroy the hitcher/his bad and evil side in order to continue his life and recognize and accept his and others' "dual personality" in the future. There are no good persons in the world, there are only persons who can control their bad/evil side and keep it "un-active", and so they can be considered "good."

Couple of scenes are totally outstanding in their virtuosity such as the scene where two police cars are destroyed by a shotgun blast and they fly and crash in a slow motion. That kind of thing would never happen in real world, but those unrealistic scenes make this film even more nightmarish and effective. Also, the end scene between these two protagonists, Hauer and Howell, is memorable and gorgeously shot. I will definitely not spoil how this one ends, but at the end, the main character is much more wiser and knows that human beings and thus himself are not as simple as one might think..

There is no point in describing the greatest scenes in the film because the whole film is so great. It is unmatchable nightmare that has no equal in history of cinema. It handles the theme of wickedness in a form of road movie and horror movie and the result is perfect piece of art. When I said earlier "difficult art" I meant that due to the film's violence (there is not plenty, but that what is on screen is brutal and disturbing) this may be too hard to take and understand for most of the viewers. So this cannot be recommended for everybody like some mainstream movie, but people with open minds and hunger for intelligent and symbolic cinema should love this film, even though it is pretty difficult to "love" !

I have seen this three times now and it unfolds more and more with each viewing time. 10 out of 10 masterpiece.