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IMDbPro

The Osterman Weekend

  • 19831983
  • RR
  • 1h 43m
IMDb RATING
5.8/10
8.7K
YOUR RATING
Meg Foster in The Osterman Weekend (1983)
Home Video Trailer from Anchor Bay Entertainment
Play trailer2:47
1 Video
99+ Photos
  • Action
  • Drama
  • Thriller
During the Cold War, a controversial television journalist is asked by the C.I.A. to persuade certain acquaintances, who are Soviet Agents of the Omega network, to defect.During the Cold War, a controversial television journalist is asked by the C.I.A. to persuade certain acquaintances, who are Soviet Agents of the Omega network, to defect.During the Cold War, a controversial television journalist is asked by the C.I.A. to persuade certain acquaintances, who are Soviet Agents of the Omega network, to defect.
IMDb RATING
5.8/10
8.7K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Sam Peckinpah
  • Writers
    • Robert Ludlum(novel)
    • Ian Masters(adaptation)
    • Alan Sharp(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Rutger Hauer
    • John Hurt
    • Craig T. Nelson
Top credits
  • Director
    • Sam Peckinpah
  • Writers
    • Robert Ludlum(novel)
    • Ian Masters(adaptation)
    • Alan Sharp(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Rutger Hauer
    • John Hurt
    • Craig T. Nelson
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 66User reviews
    • 58Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 nominations

    Videos1

    The Osterman Weekend
    Trailer 2:47
    The Osterman Weekend

    Photos123

    Meg Foster in The Osterman Weekend (1983)
    Burt Lancaster, Rutger Hauer, and Meg Foster in The Osterman Weekend (1983)
    Meg Foster in The Osterman Weekend (1983)
    Meg Foster in The Osterman Weekend (1983)
    Rutger Hauer in The Osterman Weekend (1983)
    John Hurt in The Osterman Weekend (1983)
    Burt Lancaster in The Osterman Weekend (1983)
    Burt Lancaster in The Osterman Weekend (1983)
    John Hurt in The Osterman Weekend (1983)
    John Hurt in The Osterman Weekend (1983)
    Helen Shaver in The Osterman Weekend (1983)
    Rutger Hauer and Craig T. Nelson in The Osterman Weekend (1983)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Rutger Hauer
    Rutger Hauer
    • John Tanneras John Tanner
    John Hurt
    John Hurt
    • Lawrence Fassettas Lawrence Fassett
    Craig T. Nelson
    Craig T. Nelson
    • Bernard Ostermanas Bernard Osterman
    Dennis Hopper
    Dennis Hopper
    • Richard Tremayneas Richard Tremayne
    Chris Sarandon
    Chris Sarandon
    • Joseph Cardoneas Joseph Cardone
    Meg Foster
    Meg Foster
    • Ali Tanneras Ali Tanner
    Helen Shaver
    Helen Shaver
    • Virginia Tremayneas Virginia Tremayne
    Cassie Yates
    Cassie Yates
    • Betty Cardoneas Betty Cardone
    Sandy McPeak
    Sandy McPeak
    • Walter Stenningsas Walter Stennings
    Christopher Starr
    • Steve Tanneras Steve Tanner
    Burt Lancaster
    Burt Lancaster
    • Maxwell Danforthas Maxwell Danforth
    Cheryl Carter
    • Marcia Helleras Marcia Heller
    John Bryson
    John Bryson
    • Honeymoon Groomas Honeymoon Groom
    Anne Haney
    Anne Haney
    • Honeymoon Brideas Honeymoon Bride
    Kristen Peckinpah
    • Tremayne's Secretaryas Tremayne's Secretary
    Marshall Ho'o
    • Martial Arts Instructoras Martial Arts Instructor
    Jan Tríska
    Jan Tríska
    • Andrei Mikalovichas Andrei Mikalovich
    Hansford Rowe
    Hansford Rowe
    • General Keeveras General Keever
    • Director
      • Sam Peckinpah
    • Writers
      • Robert Ludlum(novel)
      • Ian Masters(adaptation)
      • Alan Sharp(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Director Sam Peckinpah was in ill-health throughout the shoot. The long-term toll of his drug and alcohol abuse suggested to many in the production that he was dying. Peckinpah would go off and take opportune naps, but still completed and delivered his initial cut of this movie on time, despite sickness and exhaustion.
    • Goofs
      In the kitchen scene after Ali and the Tanner son are kidnapped, Ali refers to the boy as 'Steve', which is supposed to be the character's name according to the closing credits. But the actor's real name is Christopher, and he is referred to as 'Christopher' or 'Chris' numerous times throughout the movie. Note that it may have been challenging for Meg Foster to remember to refer to him as 'Steve' since he is her real life son.
    • Quotes

      John Tanner: What you've just witnessed is, in many ways, a life-sized video game. You saw a liar talk to a killer and you couldn't tell them apart. But hey, it's only television. As you may know, television programs are just the filler between attempts to steal your money. So if you want to save some, turn me off. It's a simple movement, done with the hand and what is left of your free will. The moment is now. My bet is you can't do it. But go ahead and try.

      [beat]

      John Tanner: Am I still on?

    • Alternate versions
      On the Anchor Bay DVD release there is a rough cut made by Sam Peckinpah which he made showed to the test audience. Because the majority of the audience walked out, from the imfamous sex between Fassett and his wife. The producer wanted Peckinpah to cut the scene out. Once he refuse to made the cuts, he got fired. Other scenes. 1) The sex scene is more extended and shot more wobbly to express how Fassett breaking point for revenge had started. 2) Delete scene of Osterman and Joe talking on the phone about their deal. 3) Extended scene of Virginia flirting with Dick on the phone. 4) There a deleted scene of John Tanner of having an affair with his director Marcia, there wakes up to find her dead. 5) The scene where Tanner and guest are arguing by the dinner table, in the theatrical cut Fassett switches on a Swiss ad, the Peckinpah's cut he has like a big image of Danforth. 6) Alterative ending is juxtapositioned between Tanner searching for his family and the TV studio.
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Deal of the Century/Richard Pryor Here and Now/Testament/The Dead Zone/The Osterman Weekend (1983)

    User reviews66

    Review
    Top review
    5/10
    Only watch it on TV if you have 90 minutes going spare!
    The Robert Ludlum book of the same name is excellent, very tense and very well written. I waited ages for this film to come along at the right price (25p off ebay, ha ha), but how disappointed I was when I finally saw it. Maybe it wouldn't be a bad film if it wasn't based on a book, but it is, and a great book at that. Therefore, I have to compare the film with the original as the two can't be separated. Relative to the book, the film is, frankly, rubbish I'm sorry to say. I had such high expectations, but the film bore such little resemblance to the book that had I not known it was called "The Osterman Weekend", I would never have guessed that it was based on the book of the same name.

    I gave this film 5/10 simply because I made it through to the end (and Rutger Hauer and John Hurt have done some great stuff), but it was more out of morbid curiosity as to how much more they could butcher the book than for any entertainment value. This was a film that was a product of its time (replete with cheesy music and bad acting) and it hasn't aged well. I'm glad I bought it for 25p because any more and I would've considered it a waste of money.

    If it comes up on TV and you have 90 minutes burning a hole in your life, watch it - it isn't dreadful, but it's certainly not great. If you've read the book and are hoping to see it brought to life, or think that you're about to watch another Sam Peckinpah classic, give it a miss, it really isn't worth it.
    helpful•14
    5
    • badcommand
    • Feb 14, 2009

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 4, 1983 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Das Osterman-Weekend
    • Filming locations
      • Toronto, Ontario, Canada
    • Production companies
      • Osterman Weekend Associates
      • Davis-Panzer Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $6,500,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $6,486,797
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $301,129
      • Oct 23, 1983
    • Gross worldwide
      • $6,486,797
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 43 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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