IMDb > Vanishing Point (1997) (TV)

Vanishing Point (1997) (TV) More at IMDbPro »

Videos
Vanishing Point (1997) -- Open-ended Trailer from Anchor Bay Entertainment

Overview

User Rating:
5.3/10   1,130 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 4% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Writers:
Malcolm Hart (story)
Guillermo Cabrera Infante (earlier screenplay)
more
Contact:
View company contact information for Vanishing Point on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
7 January 1997 (USA) more
Plot:
When his wife goes into a troubled labor while he is on the road over 1200 miles away James Kowalski... more | add synopsis
Awards:
1 nomination more
User Comments:
They're right...this guy was no hero. more (37 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Viggo Mortensen ... Jimmy Kowalski

Christine Elise ... Raphinia Kowalski
Steve Railsback ... Sergeant Preston
Rodney A. Grant

Peter Murnik ... Gilmore

James MacDonald (as James G. MacDonald)
Paul Benjamin
Geno Silva ... Mike Mas
John Doe ... Sammy

Peta Wilson ... Motorcycle girl

Keith David ... Warren Taft

Jason Priestley ... The Voice
Debra Sharkey ... Producer

Ari Barak ... Dr. Nazrin
Frank Roman ... Hernando
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
91 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Stereo
Filming Locations:
Tucson, Arizona, USA more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Though the filmmakers originally wanted to use actual Hemi Challengers to make the movie, when they discovered how expensive they are, they used 440 Challengers with Hemi nameplates as a more cost-effective alternative. The Hemi engine shown in the film was actually inside a Charger. more
Goofs:
Continuity: Interior shots of the Challenger at various times through out the movie show different dash designs. Early in the movie, we see a standard 3-spoke wheel with the 5-hole standard gauger cluster. Later, we see a Rallye gauger cluster with a Rim-Blow style wheel. These items swap back and forth until the end of the movie when once again, we see the Rallye Speedometer at 140mph. more
Movie Connections:
Remake of Vanishing Point (1971) more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
11 out of 15 people found the following comment useful.
They're right...this guy was no hero., 30 March 2003
Author: James Prine (jsprine@aol.com) from New Orleans, La.

Much has said about the wonderful, original "Vanishing Point"; I finally got to see the TV remake of the 1970 classic...and it was a shame. The original had Barry Newman, who somehow had the unique talent to come across as a guy who'd 'been there and done that'...and survived it all with wit, humor, and integrity as well as fantastic driving skills.

The bozo in this tepid rehash looks like he'd be out of his weight battling a soggy airmail envelope. Most of the time, while driving, he looks as if he's a 12-year-old punk out joyriding his older brother's car...and about to lose control of it, at that.

Even the little technical details were goofy beyond reason. "Jimmy" Kowalski managed to buy a police radio scanner, and somehow it doesn't need an antenna to receive signals. Better yet, since it's a crystal-controlled radio, 'magic crystals' cut for the correct radio frequencies used by cops in FOUR STATES somehow magically install themselves during the asphalt festivities. Better yet, the radio doesn't even stop scanning when a transmission is received!!!

Kowalski was supposed to be a former Army Ranger, and at one point he's in uniform, in front of a Captain who's dressing him down for his being an 'individual'. He's wearing a pair of army jump-wings, which means he's an Airborne Ranger (I guess), but no Combat Infantry Badge, despite being a decorated combat veteran. Interesting.

In short, the numerous flaws of this movie far outweigh its virtues.

On the other hand, the southwestern U.S. looked as lovely as it does in real life. Some nice footage of the area's scenic beauty was most welcome.

They made the point...several times...during this flick that Kowalski wasn't a hero...just an 'ordinary guy' involved in 'extraordinary events'. Well, the REAL Kowalski (Newman) in the original was an extraordinary guy performing extraordinary feats. The big mistake here was trying to give us too much backstory on the mysterious and intrepid Mr. K, instead of letting us fill in the details ourselves.

If you want to see a true American classic...a unique snapshot of early 1970s America, as it were, stay away from this T.V. travesty and watch the original instead.



Was the above comment useful to you?
more (37 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Vanishing Point (1997) (TV)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Ending Paul-308
I only saw half and... Platinumvampyr17
Kowalski THE Saint Flinstone
Vanishing Point maizerage91
i was actually in that movie. fallen_pilars
Brilliant Movie steve_true123
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Vanishing Point The Last Chase The Stunt Man The Great Race Mad Max
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Action section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.