The Fifth Element (1997)

Director:

Luc Besson

Writers (WGA):

Luc Besson (story)
Luc Besson (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

9 May 1997 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Romance | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Tagline:

It Mu5t Be Found.

Plot:

In the colorful future, a cab driver unwittingly becomes the central figure in the search for a legendary cosmic weapon to keep Evil and Mr Zorg at bay.

Plot Keywords:

Evil | Future | Weapon | 1910s | Cab Driver

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 7 wins & 17 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Tue. Dec. 1	11:30 AM	MAX
Wed. Dec. 2	1:50 AM	MAX
Sun. Dec. 6	10:00 PM	MAX

Cast

Bruce Willis	...	Korben Dallas
Gary Oldman	...	Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg
Ian Holm	...	Father Vito Cornelius
Milla Jovovich	...	Leeloo
Chris Tucker	...	Ruby Rhod
Luke Perry	...	Billy
Brion James	...	General Munro
Tommy 'Tiny' Lister	...	President Lindberg (as Tommy 'Tiny' Lister Jr.)
Lee Evans	...	Fog
Charlie Creed-Miles	...	David (as Charlie Creed Miles)
Tricky	...	Right Arm
John Neville	...	General Staedert
John Bluthal	...	Professor Pacoli
Mathieu Kassovitz	...	Mugger
Christopher Fairbank	...	Mactilburgh

Also Known As:

Le cinquième élément (France)
The 5th Element (USA) (alternative spelling)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for intense sci-fi violence, some sexuality and brief nudity.

Runtime:

126 min

Country:

France

Language:

English | Swedish | German

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Argentina:13 | Iceland:10 | Iceland:12 (video rating) | Australia:M (TV rating) | USA:PG-13 (certificate #34794) | Netherlands:6 (re-rating) | New Zealand:PG | Australia:PG | Belgium:KT | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) | Canada:AA (Ontario) | Canada:PG (Manitoba) | Chile:TE | Finland:K-12 | France:U | Germany:12 | Ireland:12 | Israel:PG | Italy:T | Netherlands:12 | Norway:11 | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:NC-16 | Singapore:PG (cut) | South Korea:12 | Spain:7 | Sweden:11 | UK:PG

Filming Locations:

Albert R. Broccoli 007 Stage, Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Company:

Gaumont

Trivia:

Zorg's monologue about destruction creating productivity is actually a classic economics fallacy exposed in "The Parable of the Broken Window" by economist Frederic Bastiat.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: In the very beginning of the movie, right before Leeloo punches through the glass that is supposed to be "unbreakable", you can see that the glass is already cracked and ready to be broken.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Omar: [whispers to sleeping Aziz] Aziz! Aziz!
Professor Pacoli: [shouts] Aziz! Light!
[Aziz wakes up with a start]
Billy: "Aziz! Light!"

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in G.O.R.A. (2004)

Simply put, this movie is FUN!!!

I really believe that they billed this movie wrong. Many folks came in expecting the next Star Wars and were disappointed, to say the least. It's not like Star Wars. It's kinda like a live action comic book. Visually stunning, awesome use of color that just jumps out at you, and non-stop action, lots of it done with tongue firmly in cheek. Plot? Well forget the plot, it's the weak point of the film. But hey who ever said comic books had to have strong plots? Willis, Jovovich, and the rest do a fine job. I especially like the casting of Jovovich, she exudes innocence, vulnerability, sex, exotica, intelligence, and kung fu machismo all at the same time. So turn off the cynicism sign as you watch and just enjoy the ride. Great stuff!