Havana (I) (1990)

Cuba, December 1958: The professional gambler Jack visits Havana to organize a big Poker game. On the ship he meets Roberta and falls in love with her. Shortly after they arrive in Cuba, ... See full summary »

Director:

Sydney Pollack

Writers:

Judith Rascoe (story), Judith Rascoe (screenplay),

Stars:

Robert Redford, Lena Olin, Alan Arkin

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robert Redford	...	Jack Weil
Lena Olin	...	Bobby Duran
Alan Arkin	...	Joe Volpi
Tomas Milian	...	Menocal
Daniel Davis	...	Marion Chigwell
Tony Plana	...	Julio Ramos
Betsy Brantley	...	Diane
Lise Cutter	...	Patty
Richard Farnsworth	...	Professor
Mark Rydell	...	Meyer Lansky
Vasek Simek	...	Willy
Fred Asparagus	...	Baby Hernandez
Richard Portnow	...	Mike MacClaney
Dion Anderson	...	Roy Forbes
Carmine Caridi	...	Captain Potts

Storyline

Cuba, December 1958: The professional gambler Jack visits Havana to organize a big Poker game. On the ship he meets Roberta and falls in love with her. Shortly after they arrive in Cuba, Roberta and her Cuban husband, the revolutionary Arturo, are arrested and tortured. Arturo is reported "shot while trying to escape," but Jack manages to get Roberta free again. He can't, however, keep her from continuing to support the revolution. Jack has to make a choice between the beautiful woman who keeps putting herself in harms way and the biggest poker game of his life; between the man he could be and the man he is.

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Plot Keywords:

cuba | revolutionary | love | revolution | ship | 

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Taglines:

A gambler who trusted no one. A woman who risked everything. And a passion that brought them together in the most dangerous city in the world.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance | War

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sensuality and strong language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

12 December 1990 (USA)

Also Known As:

Havanna

Filming Locations:

Dominican Republic

Box Office

Budget:

$40,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$9,243,140 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mirage, Universal Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

144 min

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) Dolby (35 mm prints)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Sharon Stone was considered for the role of Bobby Duran.

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Goofs

The bullet hole in the windshield of Jack's Cadillac has long cracks radiating from it in all the scenes in the country, but when he returns to Havana, the cracks are gone and only the bullet hole is there.

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Quotes

Bobby Duran: How many times have you lost everything Jack?

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Connections

Featured in The Directors: The Films of Sydney Pollack (2000)

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Soundtracks

"La Gloria Eres Tu"
Written by Jose Antonio Mendez

User Reviews

A beautiful motion picture that pays tribute to the old school of cinema

The reviews were horrible when released in 1990. But, what went over the heads of so money people was that this film set at the turning point of 1958 revolution in Cuba was designed to be an over the top romance filled with the style and craft of the early days of cinema. It doesn't matter if it finds inspiration from the crafty Casablanca, one of the best films ever made. Both examine similar themes and play to the adventurer in all of us. Havana is an escapist picture, and both Redford, Olin and Pollack do their jobs here, not to mention a wonderful supporting cast. They transport us to a place rich with color and mystery. Havana is a hidden gem for those who love travel, and spontaneous adventure and love. If you have not seen it, it's well worth the trip to the video store. For those who love Havana and location films I'd highly recommend the independent film "Somewhere," set in Thailand and Malaysia.