Napoleon Dynamite (2004)

Director:

Jared Hess

Writers:

Jared Hess (written by) and
Jerusha Hess (written by)

Release Date:

27 August 2004 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

He's out to prove he's got nothing to prove.

Plot:

A listless and alienated teenager decides to help his new friend win the class presidency in their small western high school, while he must deal with his bizarre family life back home.

Plot Keywords:

Friend | High School | Class | Mustache | Girl

Awards:

10 wins & 18 nominations

Cast

Jon Heder	...	Napoleon Dynamite
Jon Gries	...	Uncle Rico
Aaron Ruell	...	Kip
Efren Ramirez	...	Pedro
Diedrich Bader	...	Rex
Tina Majorino	...	Deb
Sandy Martin	...	Grandma
Haylie Duff	...	Summer Wheatly
Trevor Snarr	...	Don
Shondrella Avery	...	Lafawnduh
Bracken Johnson	...	Randy
Carmen Brady	...	Starla
Ellen Dubin	...	Ilene
J.C. Cunningham	...	Jock #1
James Stevens	...	Jock #2 (as James Smooth)
Brian Petersen	...	Lance
Brett Taylor	...	Nathan
Thomas Lefler	...	Principal Svadean (as Tom Lefler)
Elizabeth Miklavcic	...	Renae
Scott Thomas	...	Sheldon
Loria Badali	...	Shoney (as Loria Badelli)
Emily Dunn	...	Trisha (as Emily Kennard)
Jamen Gunnell	...	Vern
Nanette Young	...	Corrina
Walter Platz	...	Cashier
Nano De Silva	...	Cholo #1
Arturo De Silva	...	Cholo #2
Pat Donahue	...	Farmer
Dale Critchlow	...	Lyle
Tom Adams	...	FFA Judge #1
Eldean Holliday	...	FFA Judge #2
Arlando Larsen	...	FFA Judge #3
Mary Heers	...	Teacher
T.J. Adams	...	Farm Boy #1
Jake Visser	...	Farm Boy #2 / School Kid
Brady Stokes	...	Farm Boy #3 / School Kid
Thedora Peeterborg	...	Secretary #1
Becky Demke	...	Secretary #2
Yuka Ruell	...	Girl on Bike (as Julia Ruell)
Cody Abrams	...	School Kid
Jake Adams	...	School Kid
Paul Adams	...	School Kid
Cara Alder	...	School Kid
Shonee Alder	...	School Kid
Shontae Alder	...	School Kid
Frederick Atkins	...	School Kid (as Fredrick Atkins)
Derik Atkinson	...	School Kid
Tami Auger	...	School Kid
Amanda Austin	...	School Kid
Brooke Beckstead	...	School Kid
Madison Beckstead	...	School Kid
Landon Bell	...	School Kid
Heather Benson	...	School Kid
Cindy Biggs	...	School Kid
Jon Bliss	...	School Kid
Kolton Bosen	...	School Kid
Taylor Bosen	...	School Kid
Hayley Bowen	...	School Kid
Daniel Brewer	...	School Kid
Michael Brewer	...	School Kid
Ashely Buck	...	School Kid
Jeremy Burns	...	School Kid
Cherone Call	...	School Kid
Shanda Call	...	School Kid
Shawnee Call	...	School Kid
Shelbee Call	...	School Kid
Skylar Carver	...	School Kid
Christy Checketts	...	School Kid
Christina Child	...	School Kid
Paige Christensen	...	School Kid
Amy Christiansen	...	School Kid
Jade Christiansen	...	School Kid
Jane Christiansen	...	School Kid
Shane Christiansen	...	School Kid
Samantha Marsden	...	School Kid (as Samantha Clark)
Summer Coburn	...	School Kid
Brittney Cole	...	School Kid
Tiffany Cole	...	School Kid
Timothy Colvin	...	School KId
O'Leah Corcorran	...	School Kid
Arianna Crosland	...	School Kid
Mandi Dalley	...	School Kid
Sami Dalley	...	School Kid
Brian Davis	...	School Kid
Aaron Demke	...	School Kid
Kim Demke	...	School Kid
Isaac Demke	...	School Kid
Tyler Dodge	...	School Kid
Alison Downs	...	School Kid
Mary Downs	...	School Kid
Tyler Drury	...	School Kid
Megan Earley	...	School Kid
Leatrice Esplin	...	School Kid
Roy Esplin	...	School Kid
Charles Fetzer	...	School Kid
William Fetzer	...	School Kid
Kai Fetzer	...	School Kid
Brittany Foster	...	School Kid
Cassie Galloway	...	School Kid
Allison Gamble	...	School Kid
Emily Gamer	...	School Kid
Hannah Gibby	...	School Kid
Katherine Gibby	...	School Kid
Kristen Gibby	...	School Kid
Dakotah Gordon	...	School Kid
Jenna Griffeth	...	School Kid
Braden Hablin	...	School Kid
Eden Hamblin	...	School Kid
Kyle Hansen	...	School Kid
Tyler Hansen	...	School Kid
Evan Harris	...	School Kid
Radine Harris	...	School Kid
Alyssa Harrison	...	School Kid
Megan Haslam	...	School Kid
Jake Higley	...	School Kid
Matt Hinrichs	...	School Kid
Audrey Hinricks	...	School Kid
Colton Hirschi	...	School Kid
Kayla Hirschi	...	School Kid
Cheryl Hobbs	...	School Kid
Cody Hobbs	...	School Kid
Sean Hobie	...	School Kid
Elaina Horne	...	School Kid
Debbie Hugie	...	School Kid
Damon Hull	...	School Kid
Ashley Jackson	...	School Kid
Annette Jensen	...	School Kid
Kevin Jensen	...	School Kid
Marla Jensen	...	School Kid
Ryan Jensen	...	School Kid
Lacey Johnson	...	School Kid
Karenina Jones	...	School Kid
Kayleen Jones	...	School Kid
Dayne Keller	...	School Kid
Kate Keller	...	School Kid
Keri Kelley	...	School Kid
Michael Kelley	...	School Kid
Jake King	...	School Kid
Jessica Koller	...	School Kid
Amber Larsen	...	School Kid
Kylie Larsen	...	School Kid
Jacob Linderman	...	School Kid
Jason Linderman	...	School Kid
Rionnie Love	...	School Kid (as Rionnnie Love)
Mario Mainini	...	School Kid
Tyler Martin	...	School Kid
Justin Mason	...	School Kid
Christina McBride	...	School Kid
Nate McBride	...	School Kid
Trevor Mendenhall	...	School Kid
Levi Morrison	...	School Kid
Nanetter Neilson	...	School Kid
Marie Nelson	...	School Kid
Christina Nicholas	...	School Kid
Kimberley Nicholas	...	School Kid
Elisabeth North	...	School Kid
Jessica North	...	School Kid
Josh North	...	School Kid
Laura Oliverson	...	School Kid (as Laura Olivedrson)
Shawn Oliverson	...	School Kid
Jaclyn Olsen	...	School Kid
Brandon Ostler	...	School Kid
Skyler Ostler	...	School Kid (as Skylar Ostler)
Connie Owen	...	School Kid
Sarah Owen	...	School Kid
Jenna Packer	...	School Kid
Shantell Parsons	...	School Kid
McKell Peterson	...	School Kid
Lynette Phillips	...	School Kid
Sara Phillips	...	School Kid
Justin Poppleton	...	School Kid
Matt Porter	...	School Kid
Marlene Prouse	...	School Kid
Shane Pulsipher	...	School Kid
Stephen Rallison	...	School Kid
Parker Rawlings	...	School Kid
Brianne Richardson	...	School Kid
Sean Richmond	...	School Kid
Kelsey Roach	...	School Kid
Tara Nicole Jackson	...	School Kid (as Tara Roach)
Marc Roberts	...	School Kid
Randi Roberts	...	School Kid
Perrie Sagers	...	School Kid
Lacey Saxton	...	School Kid
Lindsey Saxton	...	School Kid
Jenny Seamons	...	School Kid
Katie Seamons	...	School Kid
David Sharp	...	School Kid
Preston Slaughter	...	School Kid
Sabrena Smart	...	School Kid
Lacey Smith	...	School Kid
Charles Sparrow	...	School Kid
Kelsey Stockdale	...	School Kid
Telecia Stockdale	...	School Kid
Jesse Stocks	...	School Kid
Katrina Stocks	...	School Kid
Vanessa Stratton	...	School Kid
Chantel Talbot	...	School Kid
Cierra Talbot	...	School Kid
Gloria Talbot	...	School Kid
Kolby Talbot	...	School Kid
Rachel Talbot	...	School Kid
Rosie Thomas	...	School Kid
Kacie Thompson	...	School Kid
Alisha Wakley	...	School Kid
Cory Waters	...	School Kid
Eli Wheeler	...	School Kid
Brigham Wilcox	...	School Kid
Lindsay Wilson	...	School Kid
Lauren Womack	...	School Kid
Crystal Wright	...	School Kid
Becki Yeates	...	School Kid
Paula Yeates	...	School Kid
Patrick Zook	...	School Kid
Adam Higley	...	School Kid
Tyler Waters	...	School Kid
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Lisa Rodríguez	...	Girl who answered the phone when Napoleon first called Pedro's house (uncredited)

Directed by
Jared Hess

Writing credits
Jared Hess		(written by) and
Jerusha Hess		(written by)

Produced by
Jeremy Coon	....	executive producer
Jeremy Coon	....	producer
Sean Covel	....	producer
Frederick Wedler	....	line producer
Jory Weitz	....	executive producer
Chris Wyatt	....	producer

Original Music by
John Swihart

Cinematography by
Munn Powell

Film Editing by
Jeremy Coon

Casting by
Jory Weitz

Production Design by
Cory Lorenzen

Art Direction by
Curt Jensen

Costume Design by
Jerusha Hess

Makeup Department
Steve Costanza	....	key makeup artist
Daniel Demke	....	key hair stylist
Irina Kurinskaja	....	assistant makeup artist
Jessica Rounds	....	assistant hair stylist
Shea Rounds	....	assistant hair stylist

Production Management
Jennie Yamaki	....	unit production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
James Hess	....	second second assistant director
Brian Petersen	....	second assistant director
Tim Skousen	....	first assistant director

Art Department
Jenni Heywood	....	property master (as Jenni Nelson)
Bryan Lefler	....	storyboard artist (as Brian Lefler)
Jonas Sappington	....	art assistant

Sound Department
Bryan Arenas	....	stereo sound consultant: Dolby
Matt Davis	....	sound recordist
Ken Dufva	....	foley artist
Rusty Fisher	....	boom operator
Mark Linden	....	sound re-recording mixer
Darrin Mann	....	foley mixer
Tara Paul	....	dialogue editor
Tara Paul	....	sound re-recording mixer
Carlos Ramirez	....	adr editor
Joan Rowe	....	foley artist
David Scharf	....	dialogue editor
Harry E. Snodgrass	....	post-production sound supervisor (as Harry Snodgrass)
Harry E. Snodgrass	....	sound effects editor (as Harry Snodgrass)
Harry E. Snodgrass	....	supervising sound editor
John Soukup	....	sound transfer (uncredited)

Visual Effects by
Brian Allan	....	optical camera
Derek Bird	....	digital compositor
Joshua D. Comen	....	visual effects producer: main title sequence, THDX (as Josh Comen)
Andrew Midgley	....	digital compositing supervisor
Mitch Paulson	....	digital preview colorist
Adam Stern	....	digital artist

Stunts
Mark Murdoch	....	stunts: ATV

Camera and Electrical Department
William Boaz	....	key grip
Doug Chamberlain	....	assistant camera
Brandon Christensen	....	first assistant camera
Travis Cline	....	best boy
Daniel Drysdale	....	videographer: EPK
Jeff Gustafson	....	camera intern
Tyler Meiners	....	mounting grip
Tyler Meiners	....	rigging grip
Duff Rich	....	gaffer
Aaron Ruell	....	still photographer
Brett Shumway	....	swing
Seth Smoot	....	still photographer
Cline Travis	....	best boy
Cline Travis	....	electrician

Casting Department
Marty Fresca	....	casting: Salt Lake City

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Diana Demke	....	costumer
Lulu Fetzer	....	costumer
Yuka Ruell	....	wardrobe supervisor (as Julia Ruell)

Editorial Department
George Chavez	....	color timer
Richard Flores Jr.	....	telecine colorist
Brian Kibbie	....	negative cutter
Chris Regan	....	color timer
Yuka Ruell	....	additional editor (as Julia Ruell)

Music Department
Tracy Lynch-Sanchez	....	music consultant
Brian McNelis	....	soundtrack album producer

Transportation Department
Ken Murdoch	....	driver: ATV

Other crew
Brandi Allred	....	production assistant
Mis Amores	....	caterer
Teresa Anderson	....	cleaning
Elayne Bair	....	caterer
Charlie Barnett	....	caterer
Jessica Bath	....	production assistant
Gordon Bruster	....	caterer
Kendal Christensen	....	production assistant
Patrick Evje	....	provider: low rider
Pablo Ferro	....	title designer
Nathan Firth	....	production assistant
Linda Hansen	....	craft service
Erin Heidenreich	....	sales agent
Benjy Hess	....	production assistant
Jason Karlatiras	....	production assistant
Bryan Lefler	....	script supervisor (as Brian Lefler)
Terance McKay	....	production assistant
Eric Moro	....	unit publicist
Dana O'Keefe	....	sales agent
Quinten White	....	production assistant
Warner Loughlin	....	acting coach (uncredited)

Thanks
Krismas Adams	....	special thanks
Tom Adams	....	special thanks
Richard Alder	....	special thanks
Eric Allred	....	special thanks
Steve Anderson	....	special thanks
Steve Anderson	....	special thanks
John Balls	....	special thanks
Lorette Bayle	....	special thanks (as Laurette Bayle)
Rod Boam	....	special thanks
Linda Call	....	special thanks
Thomas Catani	....	special thanks
Anthony Cimmino	....	special thanks
Sharon Cimmino	....	special thanks
Nancy Collins	....	special thanks
Jonathan Coon	....	special thanks
Kathy Coon	....	special thanks
Kirsten Coon	....	special thanks
Wayne Coon	....	special thanks
Lisa Edelman	....	special thanks
Bob Egbert	....	special thanks
Nancy Egbert	....	special thanks
Sylvia Esplin	....	special thanks
Carol Francis	....	special thanks
Mark Gibby	....	special thanks
Eric Green	....	special thanks
John Hafen	....	special thanks
Linda Hafen	....	special thanks
Richard Halpern	....	special thanks
Robert Harvey	....	special thanks (as Bob Harvey)
Jay Heusser	....	special thanks
Pamela S. Hicks	....	special thanks
Dolores Hobbs	....	special thanks
Kent Hobbs	....	special thanks
Larry Hobbs	....	special thanks
Eldean Holliday	....	special thanks
Peggy Holliday	....	special thanks
Cal Hughie	....	special thanks
Val Jensen	....	special thanks
David Krintzman	....	special thanks
Sherwin Larsen	....	special thanks
Jackie Maddock	....	special thanks
Richard McClune	....	special thanks
Connie Moser	....	special thanks
Ed Moser	....	special thanks
Glade Moser	....	special thanks
Peggy Moser	....	special thanks
Barbara Nielsen	....	special thanks
Gregg Nielsen	....	special thanks (as Dr. Gregg Nielsen)
Geni Nielson	....	special thanks
Noel Nielson	....	special thanks
H.M. Omaha	....	special thanks (as Dr. H.M. Omaha D.D.S.)
Shan Peterson	....	special thanks
Lyle Porter	....	special thanks
Blayne Rounds	....	special thanks
Carolyn Rounds	....	special thanks
Shame Rynes	....	special thanks
Roma Smith	....	special thanks
Kelly Spackman	....	special thanks
Belle Spense	....	special thanks
Chris Spense	....	special thanks
Isabel Spense	....	special thanks
Larry Stokes	....	special thanks (as Dr. Larry Stokes D.D.S.)
Del Ra Talbot	....	special thanks
Nick Terry	....	special thanks (as Nicholas Terry)
Kathy Thomas	....	special thanks
Naomi Thomas	....	special thanks
Jerry Waddups	....	special thanks
Gertie Webb	....	special thanks
Gene Williams	....	special thanks
Shirly Williams	....	special thanks
Dave Woodward	....	special thanks
Amotz Zakai	....	special thanks
Patrick Zook	....	special thanks

Production Companies

• Fox Searchlight Pictures (presents)
• Paramount Pictures (presents)
• MTV Films (in association with)
• Access Films
• Napolean Pictures

Distributors

• Fox Searchlight Pictures (2004) (USA) (theatrical)
• 20th Century Fox Italia (2005) (Italy) (theatrical)
• United International Pictures (UIP) (2005) (Argentina) (theatrical)
• United International Pictures (UIP) (2004) (Australia) (theatrical)
• United International Pictures (UIP) (2006) (Germany) (theatrical)
• United International Pictures (UIP) (2005) (Spain) (theatrical)
• United International Pictures (UIP) (2004) (UK) (theatrical)
• United International Pictures (UIP) (2005) (Ireland) (theatrical)
• United International Pictures (UIP) (2005) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2004) (USA) (DVD)
• 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2006) (USA) (DVD) (2-disc special edition)
• My Network TV (2009) (USA) (TV) (network premiere)
• Paramount Home Entertainment (2006) (Germany) (DVD)
• Paramount Home Entertainment (2005) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Paramount Pictures (2004) (non-USA) (all media)

Special Effects

• Title House Digital (opticals)

Other Companies

• Cinetic Media  world sales
• Craze Agency, The  talent agency and representative (uncredited)
• DeLuxe Laboratories  color (as Deluxe)
• Digital Film Tree  digital post-production services
• Friend or Foe  opening credit sequence
• Lakeshore Records  soundtrack published by
• Magic Film and Video Works  dailies
• Magic Film and Video Works  special thanks
• Magic Film and Video Works  telecine
• Panavision  cameras and lenses
• Redman Movies and Stories  grip and lighting equipment
• Stage Two Audio Post Productions  post-production audio (as Stage Two Audio, Inc.)
• Title House Digital  titles and opticals

Also Known As:

MPAA:

Rated PG for thematic elements and language (certificate no. 40773)

Runtime:

82 min | USA:86 min (Sundance Film Festival) | Canada:86 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Australia:PG | Finland:K-7 | Singapore:PG | UK:PG | USA:PG (certificate no. 40773) | Ireland:PG | Iceland:L | Germany:o.Al. | Netherlands:6 | Portugal:M/6 | Canada:G (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Québec) | Canada:PG (Nova Scotia/Ontario) | New Zealand:PG | South Africa:PG | South Korea:15 | Australia:M (TV rating) | USA:TV-PG (cable rating)

Filming Locations:

Franklin, Idaho, USA

Company:

Fox Searchlight Pictures

Trivia:

In a deleted scene, it is shown that Napoleon gets a scratch ticket and won $10, which originally was shown in Peluca (2003). That was what made it so he could afford the $12 suit for the dance and not even the price was implied in the movie.

Goofs:

Continuity: Kip puts a green bowl under the van's wheel and when he goes to get into the van, the bowl is blue.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Kid on Bus:What are you gonna do today, Napoleon?
Napoleon Dynamite:Whatever I feel like I wanna do. Gosh!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Conan: We Need the Funk, If It's Not Too Much Trouble Would Like to Have That Funk (#2.40)" (2012)

Soundtrack:

The Rose

TOO FUNNY!

It seems based on many of the comments on this site that certain folks may be expecting a bit too much from a movie such as 'Napoleon Dynamite.'

This ain't art cinema, folks. It's absurdist comedy. Don't go to see this film looking for deep meaning or well-constructed plot--the vague semblance of a plot is as artificial as they come, and seems inserted mostly to give the film structure and to permit the audience a somewhat 'happy' ending.

NO, Napoleon Dynamite isn't about changing the world--it's live action 'South Park' (Preston, Idaho, where the film is set, actually bears a strong resemblance to the real South Park, Colorado). It's a highly ironic, self-mocking, merciless run of sight gags and one liners with no apparent purpose other than to get laughs at the expense of its main characters, especially the eponymous Napoleon, a fit stand-in for everyone who's ever felt like a socially inept outcast trapped in the hell of high school.

This movie isn't for everybody, but if you don't see glimpses of your own childhood in the various awkwardnesses and failures of the main characters, you're in denial. Don't see Napoleon Dynamite if you're expecting sensitivity--go see it if you're pissed off at the world and just need to laugh. I saw it for the first time last night, and I'm still busting into spontaneous laughter whenever one of Napoleon's silly one-liners or blank-faced dead-pan non-sequitirs comes to mind.