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The Negotiator (1998)

R  140 min  -  Action | Crime | Drama   -  29 July 1998 (USA)
7.2
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Ratings: 7.2/10 from 58,714 users   Metascore: 62/100 
Reviews: 260 user | 121 critic | 23 from Metacritic.com

In a desperate attempt to prove his innocence, a skilled police negotiator accused of corruption and murder takes hostages in a government office to gain the time he needs to find the truth.

Director:

F. Gary Gray
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2 wins & 6 nominations See more awards »
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Samuel L. Jackson ...
Danny Roman
Kevin Spacey ...
Chris Sabian
David Morse ...
Adam Beck
Ron Rifkin ...
Grant Frost
John Spencer ...
Chief Al Travis
J.T. Walsh ...
Terence Niebaum
Siobhan Fallon ...
Maggie
Paul Giamatti ...
Rudy
Regina Taylor ...
Bruce Beatty Bruce Beatty ...
Markus
Michael Cudlitz ...
Palermo
Carlos Gómez ...
Eagle
Tim Kelleher Tim Kelleher ...
Argento
Dean Norris ...
Scott
Nestor Serrano ...
Hellman
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Storyline

In the midst of an elaborate conspiracy, an expert negotiator is driven to the edge when he's framed for the murder of his partner, as well as embezzling money from his department's pension fund. His only chance to prove his innocence is to take hostages himself, acquire the services of another expert negotiator, and find out who's running the conspiracy before it's too late. Written by Ted Walters  

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

Negotiator | Police | Hostage | Murder | Conspiracy  | See more »

Taglines:

He frees hostages for a living. Now he's taking hostages to survive. See more »

Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence and language See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Details

Country:

Germany | USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

(USA) See more »

Also Known As:

Verhandlungssache See more »

Box Office

Budget:

$50,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$10,218,831 (USA) (2 August 1998) (2436 Screens)

Gross:

$44,484,065 (USA) (1 November 1998)
See more »

Company Credits

Show detailed company contact information on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital  | DTS-Stereo

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The nighttime crowd scenes outside the skyscraper were filmed on two consecutive nights in September 1997, from about 5 p.m. to 7 a.m. Due to cold rain and winds, many extras defected during the night or developed antagonistic relationships with production assistants. When the filming finished for the night, the small percentage of extras remaining actually ran back to the holding area in the food court of a nearby mall to turn in their vouchers and go home as soon as possible. See more »

Goofs

Factual errors: The FBI agents referred to the City Administration Building of Chicago as a Federal Building, while in fact any city building would be under the jurisdiction of the City of Chicago. See more »

Quotes

Lieutenant Chris Sabian: I'm a stranger to you. You have no idea what I am capable of.
See more »

Connections

References Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) See more »

Soundtracks

"Rise"
(1998)
Performed and Written by Craig Armstrong
Courtesy of Virgin Records Ltd./Melankolic See more »