Barb Wire (1996)

Post-apocalyptic remake of Casablanca (1942) set in a sleazy nightclub.

Director:

David Hogan

Writers:

Chris Warner (characters in comic), Ilene Chaiken (story)

Stars:

Pamela Anderson, Amir Aboulela, Adriana Alexander

1 win & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Amir Aboulela	...	Patron
Adriana Alexander	...	Redhead
David Andriole	...	Goon #2
Vanessa Lee Asher	...	Emily
Ron Balicki	...	Customs Agent #1
Jennifer Banko	...	Spike
Candace Kita	...	Dancer (as Candace Camille Bender)
Xander Berkeley	...	Alexander Willis
Tony Bill	...	Foster
Alex Bookston	...	Man in White Suit
Gil Borgos	...	Old Man
Andre Rosey Brown	...	Big Fatso
Mark Collver	...	Manny (as Marc Collver)
Tina Cote	...	Woman in Bar #1 (as Tina Coté)
Vinnie Curto	...	Aide to Pryzer

Storyline

In the early 21st century, the USA is in the wake of the Second Civil War. The whole country is in a constant state of emergency. What was formerly called the American Congress now rules the country with fascistic methods. There is only one free city left, Steel Harbor, a coastal California industrial town which is headquarters for the resistance. This is the home town of Barb Wire, owner of the Hammerhead nightclub. As times aren't good, Barb has a second job. She's a bounty hunter and you probably wouldn't want her after you. Barb's credo is to never take sides for anybody and that's the only way to survive these days in the crime-ridden streets of Steel Harbor. One evening, her former lover Axel Hood appears at the club asking for a favor to help him and his lover Cora D flee the country to Canada, Barb suddenly finds herself to be key player on high political stage. Now she has to take sides.

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Plot Keywords:

rottweiler | bounty hunter | female frontal nudity | breasts | superhero | 

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Taglines:

No laws. No limits. No turning back.

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Genres:

Action | Sci-Fi

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence and nudity/sexuality

Details

Official Sites:

Cinopsis: Belgian official web site

Country:

USA

Language:

English French German

Release Date:

3 May 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

Barb·Wire

Filming Locations:

Long Beach, California, USA

Box Office

Gross:

JPY 25,130,100 (Japan) (17 January 1997)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Polygram Filmed Entertainment, Propaganda Films, Dark Horse Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min 100 min (unrated)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The opening "Wet Strip" in which Barb dances in a strip club with her breasts hanging out of her rubber dress whilst being sprayed with water was suggested by Pamela Anderson after she was inspired by a nightmare she had in which she was being sprayed with champagne whilst performing a "Nasty dance". David Hogan, who was under pressure to include more nudity, liked the idea and threw out the movie's original opening to include it.

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Goofs

In the final fight scene where one of the goons is shot and falls off the roof you can see the inflatable bag he is meant to land on in the lower right hand corner.

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Quotes

Axel: What happened to "Barb doesn't take sides"?
Barb Wire: Keep it to yourself.

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Crazy Credits

A scene of an additional longer opening title sequence, which is just a longer video of Barb Wire dancing topless, following in the credits.

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Connections

Featured in Comedy Central Roast of Pamela Anderson (2005)

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Soundtracks

Blondie's Squad Car
Written by Kurtis McFarland
Performed by Jack Johnson
Courtesy of PC Music!

User Reviews

Proper expectations

While Barb Wire isn't an Academy style good movie, it succeeds wonderfully at what it is: a comic book translated to film. It's over-acted and over-the-top, but it's supposed to be. It's great eye candy and lots of fun to watch. I think Pamela Anderson did a great job being a two-dimensional comic book hero - think Clint Eastwood spaghetti western with tight leather. Keep in mind what the film is trying to be and you'll have a great time.