IMDb >
The River Wild (1994)
Watch It
Buy it at Amazon
Rent it at Blockbuster.com
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
BETA
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsThe River Wild (1994) More at IMDbPro »
| Photos (see all 41 | slideshow) | Videos |
Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writer (WGA):
Denis O'Neill (written by)
Release Date:
30 September 1994 (USA)
more
Tagline:
The vacation is over
Plot:
Meryl Streep takes on a pair of armed killers while navigating a spectacularly violent river. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Nominated for 2 Golden Globes.
Another 1 nomination
more
NewsDesk:
(7 articles)
Meryl Streep on the prowl in 'It's Complicated' trailer
(From EW.com - PopWatch. 7 August 2009, 7:13 AM, PDT)
First-time Emmy nominees include Oscar, Grammy and Tony champs
(From Gold Derby. 16 July 2009, 2:10 PM, PDT)
(From EW.com - PopWatch. 7 August 2009, 7:13 AM, PDT)
First-time Emmy nominees include Oscar, Grammy and Tony champs
(From Gold Derby. 16 July 2009, 2:10 PM, PDT)
User Comments:
Decent thriller with several good performances and terrific scenery
more (51 total)
Cast
(Complete credited cast)| Meryl Streep | ... | Gail Hartman | |
| Kevin Bacon | ... | Wade | |
| David Strathairn | ... | Tom Hartman | |
| Joseph Mazzello | ... | Roarke Hartman | |
| John C. Reilly | ... | Terry | |
| Benjamin Bratt | ... | Ranger Johnny | |
| Elizabeth Hoffman | ... | Gail's Mother | |
| William Lucking | ... | Frank | |
| Stephanie Sawyer | ... | Willa Hartman | |
| Victor Galloway | ... | Gail's Father (as Victor H. Galloway) | |
| Diane Delano | ... | Ranger | |
| Thomas F. Duffy | ... | Ranger | |
| Paul Cantelon | ... | Violinist | |
| Glenn Morshower | ... | Policeman |
Additional Details
MPAA:
Rated PG-13 for some violence and threatening moments.
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
108 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Australia:M |
Iceland:12 |
South Korea:12 |
Philippines:PG-13 |
Peru:14 |
Argentina:13 |
Chile:14 |
Finland:K-14 |
France:U |
Germany:12 (w) |
Norway:15 |
Spain:13 |
Sweden:15 |
UK:12 |
USA:PG-13 |
Singapore:PG
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
An exhausted Meryl Streep balked when director Curtis Hanson asked her to shoot one more scene before filming finished for the end of the day, however, she decided to attempt it. Swept off the raft, she was in real danger of drowning before she was rescued. Returning upriver, she told a pale and shaking Hanson that "in the future, when I say I can't do something, I think we should believe me." Hanson hastily agreed.
more
Goofs:
Continuity: When the family is entering the boat for the first time on commencement of the trip, Meryl Streep wears jeans. In the next shot of her setting off in the boat she is in shorts.
more
Quotes:
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "Gilmore Girls: Run Away, Little Boy (#2.9)" (2001)
more
Soundtrack:
The Water is Wide
more
FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (51 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The River Wild (1994)| Recent Posts (updated daily) | User |
|---|---|
| Underrated movie, I think. | shewster |
| location of scenery | nomony49 |
| Anyone else think... | Inthenickyoftime |
| What an annoying 'Score' | arkay |
| rafting | lorank |
| A love for Wade? | x-tally-x |
Recommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| National Treasure: Book of Secrets | Mystic River | The World Is Not Enough | The Assassination of Richard Nixon | White Water Summer |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| News articles | IMDb Action section | IMDb USA section |
| Add this title to MyMovies |












I watched The River Wild mainly for two reasons. The first one was incredibly talented young actor named Joseph Mazello, while the second was Kevin Bacon, also very good and underrated actor in my opinion. I expected just an average thriller or something like that but this movie managed to surpass my expectations. Though it wasn't a great or Oscar-worthy movie I found The River Wild mostly good and entertained, worth seeing movie. The story is concentrated on average dysfunctional family with workaholic father, who have almost lost a contact with his wife and two kids. They undertake a raft journey on vacation to celebrate their eldest son, Rourke birthday and in the same time trying to save their dying marriage. This at first calm and beautiful journey gets unexpectedly dangerous when the family meet on their way two strangers (played by Kevin Bacon and John C.Reilly), who also for their own reasons go to a journey with the same route. The story is not flawless and has some plot holes but overall it's not bad written. Well, maybe it's quite predictable but I don't think that such predictability harmed the movie too much. The acting overall was pretty good. To my surprise somehow happened that Meryl Streep became a weakest part in this excellent cast ensemble. I think she was a bit unconvincing as careful mother as well as a strong rafter. Another problem is that her character (Gail) is not developed as much as the movie needs it. For unknown reasons she got even a Golden Globe nomination for this movie but anyway The River Wild definitely is not among her best works. David Straithairn is much better playing Gail's husband and Roarke's father. Kevin Bacon is brilliant as evil, psychotic villain, while John C.Reilly gave decent performance of his diffident, weak-willed sidekick. And finally Joseph Mazello, the most talented actor among entire casts in the movie. His part didn't give him many opportunities to show his talent but in those short moments his acting was beautiful and he was able to overshadow others. Despite all these very good performances the most exceptional thing about The River Wild is not the good acting but a beautiful scenery and excellent cinematography that have captured it. Even only this terrific scenery, filmed somewhere in Oregon, is enough to make this movie worth seeing. It's simply beyond my words. Finally, it is worth to mention nice score, written by Jerry Goldmith, with excellent main theme.
In the conclusion The River Wild is not great but quite a good movie, with good casts, acting and one of the most beautiful scenery I've ever seen. My grade 7,5 or B.