IMDb > Jacob's Ladder (1990/I)
Jacob's Ladder
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

Jacob's Ladder (1990/I) More at IMDbPro »

Videos (see all 4)
Jacob's Ladder (1990) -- A traumatized Vietnam war veteran finds out that his post-war life isn't what he believes it to be when he's attacked by horned creatures in the subway and his dead son comes to visit him.
Jacob's Ladder (1990) -- CineMagia.ro - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
7.5/10   25,893 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 1% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writer (WGA):
Bruce Joel Rubin (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for Jacob's Ladder on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
2 November 1990 (USA) more
Tagline:
The most frightening thing about Jacob Singer's nightmare is that he isn't dreaming.
Plot:
A traumatized Vietnam war veteran finds out that his post-war life isn't what he believes it to be when he's attacked by horned creatures in the subway and his dead son comes to visit him. full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
2 wins more
NewsDesk:
(17 articles)
Stahl, McGowan & Smart Join Wake
 (From EmpireOnline. 21 September 2009, 11:10 PM, PDT)

Lists of Doom Xxv: Evil J of Otep
 (From Fangoria. 16 September 2009, 12:28 AM, PDT)

User Comments:
original, scary, mesmerizing what more can I say? more (297 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Tim Robbins ... Jacob Singer
Elizabeth Peña ... Jezzie

Danny Aiello ... Louis

Matt Craven ... Michael
Pruitt Taylor Vince ... Paul

Jason Alexander ... Geary

Patricia Kalember ... Sarah

Eriq La Salle ... Frank

Ving Rhames ... George

Brian Tarantina ... Doug

Anthony Alessandro ... Rod
Brent Hinkley ... Jerry
S. Epatha Merkerson ... Elsa
Suzanne Shepherd ... Hospital Receptionist
Doug Barron ... Group Leader
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Dante's Inferno
more
Runtime:
113 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Filming Locations:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The closing legend of the film mentions the testing of a drug named BZ in Vietnam. BZ is NATO code for a hallucinogen called 3-quinuclidinyl benzilate, which was rumored to have been administered to US troops during the Vietnam War in an attempt to increase their combat abilities. more
Goofs:
Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): Jacob's doctor, Louie shouts out for "Jacob Stinger" at one point when he is attempting to rescue Jacob from the hospital. Jacob's full name in the movie is Singer, not "Stinger". more
Quotes:
Louis: If you're frightened of dying, and you're holding on, you'll see devils tearing your life away. If you've made your peace, then the devils are really angels, freeing you from the Earth. more
Movie Connections:
References The French Connection (1971) more
Soundtrack:
MY THANG more

FAQ

What special features are on the DVD?
What are the images Jacob is looking at as he flicks through the books about demonology?
What book is Jacob reading on the train early in the film?
more
37 out of 47 people found the following comment useful.
original, scary, mesmerizing what more can I say?, 27 September 2003
8/10
Author: dbdumonteil

For several years, there's a very trendy cinematographic genre. This is the "psychological fantastic". This genre is very successful as the movies: "the sixth sense" (1999), "what lies beneath" (2000) or "unbreakable" (2000) showed. All these movies must have been influenced by "Jacob's ladder". In this way, you can regard Adrian Lyne's movie as a precursory and innovative movie. Lyne achieved a masterstroke in an absolutely new genre for him. It means that you're very far from the atmosphere of "9 weeks and a half" or "fatal attraction".

"Jacob's ladder" is based on an outstanding screenplay including numerous weird details that increase the spectator's curiosity. It's precisely with the spectator that Lyne and Bruce Joel Robin, the scriptwriter play with. They take a malicious pleasure in getting the spectator lost in a real maze where seem to border dream and reality. Like Tim Robbins, you look for the clue to the mystery. This clue may be the chemist which Jacob's meeting at the refreshment bar truck. This chemist will lead the plot towards an amazing conclusion.

In Adrian Lyne's movie, there's also a part of the fantastic genre that is very well exploited: at first common and normal living conditions but that are little by little overcome by the unreal, the strange and the fear.

The movie also enjoys an outstanding performance to begin with Tim Robbins. A brilliant success and a movie that deserves to rank among the ten best fantastic movies of the nineties

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (297 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Jacob's Ladder (1990/I)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Not a good movie - Spoiler mypcforums
Antidote scene x3199
List of movies like this grahamsmccann
SHAKEING HEADS ravengammer
The unpopular interpretation : *SPOILERS* Dylan_Gilliam
Purpose of the Chiropractor gerfalcon7
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Watchmen Across the Universe C'est arrivé près de chez vous Slaughterhouse-Five El maquinista
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Drama section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.