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IMDb > The Spanish Prisoner (1997)
The Spanish Prisoner
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The Spanish Prisoner (1997) More at IMDbPro »

Videos (see all 3)
The Spanish Prisoner (1997) -- An employee of a corporation with a lucrative secret process is tempted to betray it. But there's more to it than that.
The Spanish Prisoner (1997) -- Sinematurk - Trailer (Flash)

IMDb Holiday Movie Guide

Overview

User Rating:
7.3/10   12,001 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 18% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writer (WGA):
David Mamet (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Spanish Prisoner on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
3 April 1998 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
Can you really trust anyone? more
Plot:
An employee of a corporation with a lucrative secret process is tempted to betray it. But there's more to it than that. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
3 nominations more
User Comments:
Brilliantly Clever Mystery within a Thriller more (241 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Campbell Scott ... Joseph A. 'Joe' Ross

Steve Martin ... Julian 'Jimmy' Dell

Rebecca Pidgeon ... Susan Ricci

Ben Gazzara ... Mr. Klein
Ricky Jay ... George Lang

Felicity Huffman ... Pat McCune
Richard L. Friedman ... Businessman
Jerry Graff ... Businessman
G. Roy Levin ... Businessman
Hilary Hinckle ... Resort Concierge
David Pittu ... Resort Manager
Christopher Kaldor ... Dell's Bodyguard
Michael Robinson ... Security Person
Olivia Tecosky ... Flight Attendant
Charlotte Potok ... Bookstore Woman
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

MPAA:
Rated PG for thematic elements including tension, some violent images and brief language.
Runtime:
110 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
When he is hung over, George Lang says, "I put a thief in my mouth to steal my brains." The line is a close paraphrase of one from Shakespeare's "Othello": "I would not put a thief in my mouth to steal my brains." more
Goofs:
Crew or equipment visible: When Joe Ross makes his way through the carousel, a movie light can be seen in the background with a crew member and cases also visible for a few moments to the right of the light. more
Quotes:
Jimmy Dell: I'm a problem solver, with a heart of gold. more
Movie Connections:
Soundtrack:
I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
34 out of 39 people found the following comment useful.
Brilliantly Clever Mystery within a Thriller, 30 June 2002
10/10
Author: Enrique Sanchez from Miami, FL

What is so clever about this movie?

First: The dialogue is so wonderfully quirky and packed full of nuances. It was a delight to wait for the next round of words in each scene. The character played by Rebecca Pidgeon offered the best delivery of all the actors. Her vocal cadences were sheer fun to experience.

Second: It perfectly paced right down to the wonderfully offbeat and unexpected ending. It is NOT a slow moving film. Even if the drama unfolds methodically:

**WHAT is wrong with audiences today? WHY must every movie go faster than the Can-Can scene in "Moulin Rouge"? I get ill when I read yet another review which reveals the impatience and lack of concentration skills of the viewer. You want slow pace? Try Theo Angelopoulos!

Third: The cast is perfect for every role. Campbell Scott, Steve Martin, Rebecca Pidgeon, Felicity Huffman, Ben Gazzara and Ricky Jay. Each of them bring a special character to each performance.

Fourth: Movies like this, that don't feed you every morsel of the plot expectation in the first 15 minutes are a welcome breath of fresh air every time they are released.

Congratulations on a most memorable movie to Mamet and company.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (241 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Spanish Prisoner (1997)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
If Joe got nailed at the Airport? (sorta spoilers) kag2
Who was that woman? findtheriver-1
SImilar Movies ? antinikhil
Fatal Flaw in the Book Switch! cerebron
Am I missing something? fred4sure
Main/Recurring theme (Labyrinthesque music) sounds very familiar..... Valmont334
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