The Fisher King (1991)

A former radio DJ, suicidally despondent because of a terrible mistake he made, finds redemption in helping a deranged homeless man who was an unwitting victim of that mistake.

Director:

Terry Gilliam

Writer:

Richard LaGravenese

Stars:

Jeff Bridges, Robin Williams, Adam Bryant

Won 1 Oscar. Another 17 wins & 20 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jeff Bridges	...	Jack
Adam Bryant	...	Radio Engineer
Paul Lombardi	...	Radio Engineer
David Hyde Pierce	...	Lou Rosen (as David Pierce)
Ted Ross	...	Limo Bum
Lara Harris	...	Sondra
Warren Olney	...	TV Anchorman
Frazer Smith	...	News Reporter
Mercedes Ruehl	...	Anne
Kathy Najimy	...	Crazed Video Customer
Harry Shearer	...	Sitcom Actor Ben Starr
Melinda Culea	...	Sitcom Wife
James Remini	...	Bum at Hotel
Mark Bowden	...	Doorman
John Ottavino	...	Father at Hotel

Storyline

After hearing a popular DJ rail against yuppies, a madman carries out a massacre in a popular New York bar. Dejected and remorseful, the DJ strikes up a friendship with Parry, a former professor who became unhinged and then homeless after witnessing his wife's violent death in the bar shooting. The DJ seeks redemption by helping Parry in his quest to recover an item that he believes is the Holy Grail and to win the heart of the woman he loves.

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Plot Keywords:

love | holy grail | radio | redemption | massacre | 

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Taglines:

A good, old-fashioned story of guilt, poverty, love, madness and free video club membership. (vv)

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and violence

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 September 1991 (USA)

Also Known As:

Fisher King

Filming Locations:

New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$24,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$41,895,491 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

137 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Costume designer Beatrix Aruna Pasztor's initial concept for the Red Knight was that the suit of armor would be made from found objects (not unlike Parry's "medieval" garb) such as car parts and industrial waste, but Terry Gilliam wanted something more accurately medieval. The final concept was meant to suggest the knight was burning from the inside out, with smoke pouring from his joints and flame bursting from his helmet.

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Goofs

After the little quarrel with Anne, Jack gets a call. When he picks up the phone, it still keeps ringing for a short moment.

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Quotes

Lydia: How much?
Jack Lucas: Well, you're a store member, so we could probably...
Anne Napolitano: [firmly] Forty bucks.

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Connections

References Wifemistress (1977)

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Soundtracks

Lydia The Tattooed Lady
Written by E.Y. Harburg & Harold Arlen

User Reviews

Still amazing on a 4 inch screen

When i first rented this movie out, it was like an enchantment, even on a 4 inch screen. It was a tape but still, i felt the magic in the movie its self. But the Fisher King is more than a movie, it is a story of redemption, madness, guilt, sanity, poverty and love. In the movie, all these things come together. Jeff Bridges was always a well respected Hollywood actor. In the Fisher King, he plays a role a lot more different than the star man. He plays a radio talk show host Jack Lucas, a wild, arrogant radio DJ who's advice causes a man to assassinate seven people in a restaurant. Jack Lucas did this unintentionally, but as a result to that, he is now down and out in poverty. When almost killed by thugs, a insane homeless man (Robin Williams), saves Jack, and in the end turns out to be the husband of one of the restaurant victims. Parry (Robin Williams) has lost his sanity because of that. Jack feels so muck guilt that he wishes to help Parry meet with Lydia Sinclair ( the girl that Parry likes, played by Amanda Plummer), and help him find the one thing Parry treasures, the Holy Grail. The performances are incredible. Particualary Mercedes Rhuel, Robin Williams, Amanda Plummer, andJeff Bridges, they stole the show. This should be in the library of the top five fantasy dramas in Hollywood.