Ransom (1996)

User Rating:

6.6/10   

Director:

Ron Howard

Writers (WGA):

Cyril Hume (story) and
Richard Maibaum (story) ...

Release Date:

8 November 1996 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Crime | Thriller

Tagline:

Someone is going to pay.

Plot:

When a rich man's son is kidnapped, he cooperates with the police at first but then tries a unique tactic against the criminals.

Plot Keywords:

Ransom | Money | Police | Bounty | Laundromat

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 3 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

Mel Gibson	...	Tom Mullen
Rene Russo	...	Kate Mullen
Brawley Nolte	...	Sean Mullen
Gary Sinise	...	Det. Jimmy Shaker
Delroy Lindo	...	Agent Lonnie Hawkins
Lili Taylor	...	Maris Conner
Liev Schreiber	...	Clark Barnes
Donnie Wahlberg	...	Cubby Barnes
Evan Handler	...	Miles Roberts
Nancy Ticotin	...	Agent Kimba Welch
Michael Gaston	...	Agent Jack Sickler
Kevin Neil McCready	...	Agent Paul Rhodes
Paul Guilfoyle	...	Wallace
Allen Bernstein	...	Bob Stone
José Zúñiga	...	David Torres

MPAA:

Rated R for graphic, bloody violence and strong language.

Runtime:

121 min | USA:139 min (laserdisc)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White | Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Netherlands:12 (TV rating) | UK:18 (video rating) (1997) | Philippines:PG-13 | New Zealand:R16 | Italy:VM14 | UK:15 (original rating) | Australia:MA | Finland:K-14 | Germany:16 (w) | Netherlands:16 | Norway:15 | Portugal:M/16 | Singapore:NC-16 | Singapore:PG (cut) | South Korea:15 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | USA:R (certificate #34835) | Argentina:16

Filming Locations:

Bergen County, New Jersey, USA

Company:

Imagine Entertainment

Trivia:

In the science fair scene, when Rene Russo's character asks which school is this, they reply P.S. 41. This is an actual school which provided some of the science fair props for the scene.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: When Miles Roberts get shot it's obvious that he is wearing some kind of vest with blood-pouches under his shirt.

Quotes:

Sean Mullen: Seems like someone's always mad at you.
Tom Mullen: The way that seems?
Sean Mullen: [Sean nods his head] Mm-mmm.
Tom Mullen: Ohoy, I guess that... you're not mad at me are you?
Sean Mullen: No.
Tom Mullen: Well, I can, I can fix that.
[Starts tickling Sean]

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in "South Park: The Passion of the Jew (#8.3)" (2004)

Soundtrack:

Lizards

Great film.

Mel Gibson (Braveheart, Maverick) stars as the rich father of a kidnapped boy, played by Brawley Nolte (Nick Nolte's son). The kidnappers give a ransom of 2 million dollars. Rene Russo (Outbreak, Major League) plays his wife. Delroy Lindo (Clockers, Get Shorty) plays the head FBI agent on the case. Gary Sinise plays a New York cop. Gibson soon starts to doubt the chances of the ransom working, so he changes the ransom to a bounty on the kidnapper's head. The film is well-directed by Ron Howard (Apollo 13, Cocoon). The story line is gripping and well-written. Mel Gibson is excellent as the father. Rene Russo and Gary Sinise are good in their roles. Delroy Lindo delivers the best supporting performance, he plays the agent very convincingly. A suspenseful, entertaining, and overall great film. Rating R: (violence, language)