The Punisher (2004)

Director:

Jonathan Hensleigh

Writers (WGA):

Jonathan Hensleigh (written by) and
Michael France (written by)

Release Date:

16 April 2004 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Crime | Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

This Is Not Revenge. It's Punishment!

Plot:

After his wife and family are killed, G-Man Frank Castle takes it upon himself to distribute punishment to those responsible for the vendetta.

Plot Keywords:

Family Reunion | Undercover | Revenge | Vigilante | FBI

Awards:

1 win & 4 nominations

Cast

A. Russell Andrews	...	Jimmy Weeks (as Russell Andrews)
Omar Avila	...	Joe Toro
James Carpinello	...	Bobby Saint / John Saint
Mark Collie	...	Harry Heck
Russ Comegys	...	Tattooed Mike
Antoni Corone	...	T.J.
Rick Elmhurst	...	Bay News 9 Newscaster
Ben Foster	...	Spacker Dave
Michael Reardon	...	Toro Croupier (as Michael Francis)
Laura Harring	...	Livia Saint
William Haze	...	EMT (as William Hasenzahl)
Thomas Jane	...	Frank Castle (as Tom Jane)
Eddie Jemison	...	Mickey Duka
Marco St. John	...	Police Chief Morris
Marcus Johns	...	Will Castle

Also Known As:

The Punisher (Germany)

MPAA:

Rated R for pervasive brutal violence, language and brief nudity.

Runtime:

124 min | 140 min (extended cut)

Country:

USA | Germany

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Brazil:16 | Malaysia:18SG | Portugal:M/16 | Sweden:15 | Iceland:16 | USA:Unrated (extended version) | South Korea:18 | Hungary:16 | Argentina:13 | Australia:MA | Canada:18A | Chile:14 | Finland:K-18 | France:-16 | Germany:18 (JK/SPIO) (uncut version) | Germany:18 (cut) | Hong Kong:IIB | Ireland:18 | Japan:PG-12 | Mexico:C | Netherlands:16 | New Zealand:R18 | Norway:15 | Philippines:R-13 | Singapore:M18 (original rating) | Singapore:NC-16 (edited for re-rating) | Spain:18 | Switzerland:16 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:16 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:16 (canton of Zurich) | UK:18 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Florida, USA

Company:

Lions Gate Films

Trivia:

The words that Frank Castle writes near the end of the film, listing the bases of his vigilante philosophy in numbered order, form the beginning of his war journal, an ongoing diary of his campaign against organized crime. It was the basis for the long-running comic book "The Punisher War Journal".

Goofs:

Factual errors: The truck that is used to kill Castle's family (in Puerto Rico) has a front license plate. License plates in Puerto Rico are only displayed in the back of the car, as you are only given one plate for the car.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Bobby Saint: So I'm gonna get a three-to-one return on my money?
Micky Duka: Otto is the real deal. I met him at a hash bar in Amsterdam. He speaks Russian, German, Arabic...

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Khatarnak (2006)

Soundtrack:

Fourth Floor Ladies Shoes

Thomas Jane is excellent as "The Punisher"!!!!

I gave this 10 stars. I really enjoyed this picture.

The first 10 or 15 minutes of it were confusing to me, but I hung in there, and then it lined out nicely - with John Travolta as smooth gangster Howard Saint, and Thomas Jane as an absolutely perfect dark hero - Frank Castle - The Punisher! I had never heard of Thomas Jane before, but he was very good in this role. He is a nice height, not bad looking, exceptionally well built, dark hair, wears black a lot, including a long black coat, and obviously works out at the gym. There are quite a few scenes where he is shirtless and so the viewer gets to admire his excellent physique.

In addition to him having the right look for the role and the right costuming and great props (those guns and that futuristic crossbow were thrilling), he also has just the right demeanor as emotionally hurt, but tough, Frank Castle.

This film concerns revenge and vigilantism, with lots of shooting, rough fighting scenes, and tremendous explosions. It also has well developed characters with motivation for their actions and behavior, and good dialog.

Definitely way above average action thriller.