Bringing Out the Dead (1999)

A Manhattan ambulance paramedic, overworked and haunted by visions of his failures, fights to keep a tenuous grip on his clarity.

Director:

Martin Scorsese

Writers:

Joe Connelly (novel), Paul Schrader (screenplay)

Stars:

Nicolas Cage, Patricia Arquette, John Goodman

2 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Nicolas Cage	...	Frank Pierce
Patricia Arquette	...	Mary Burke
John Goodman	...	Larry
Ving Rhames	...	Marcus
Tom Sizemore	...	Tom Wolls
Marc Anthony	...	Noel
Mary Beth Hurt	...	Nurse Constance
Cliff Curtis	...	Cy Coates
Nestor Serrano	...	Dr. Hazmat
Aida Turturro	...	Nurse Crupp
Sonja Sohn	...	Kanita
Cynthia Roman	...	Rose
Afemo Omilami	...	Griss
Cullen O. Johnson	...	Mr. Burke (as Cullen Oliver Johnson)
Arthur J. Nascarella	...	Captain Barney (as Arthur Nascarella)

Storyline

Frank Pierce is a paramedic working Gotham's Hell's Kitchen. He's become burned out and haunted by visions of the people he's tried to save.

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Plot Keywords:

hell | paramedic | ghost | ambulance | rescue | 

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Genres:

Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for gritty violent content, drug use and language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 October 1999 (USA)

Also Known As:

Vidas al límite

Filming Locations:

New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$32,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£356,544 (UK) (7 January 2000)

Gross:

£967,925 (UK) (21 January 2000)

Company Credits

Production Co:

De Fina-Cappa, Paramount Pictures, Touchstone Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

121 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

According to Tom Sizemore, he and Marc Anthony did not get along and almost had a physical altercation on the set.

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Goofs

When Frank and Marcus use Narcan on IB Bangin, Frank injects the Narcan into one of the wrist veins. Drugs are never main-lined without a patent IV because possible infiltration of the drug would cause tissue damage. If an IV can't be established, Narcan is given either intramuscular (IM) or intranasal (IN).

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Quotes

Frank Pierce: Taking credit when things go right doesn't work the other way.

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Connections

Referenced in Anus Magillicutty (2003)

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Soundtracks

"Hasta Ayer"
Written by Manny Delgado
Performed by Marc Anthony
Courtesy of RMM Records

User Reviews

Excellent movie

As an emergency physician and film buff, this film is one of my favorites. Martin Scorcese utilized excellent film technique with his inventive camera shots integrated with a dark comedic plot (check out the triage nurse) to create a bright modern cinema masterpiece with rich characters, comedic irony, and a sense of perseverance against overwhelming angst and the dark underbelly of modern urban life. This film is a classic on a par with Harold and Maude, and the King of Hearts. Three thumbs up- (I'm dysmorphic)... In any case, this movie deserves to be watched by anyone involved in healthcare and anyone involved in EMS activities.