Romancing the Stone (1984)

A mousy romance novelist sets off for Colombia to ransom her kidnapped sister, and soon finds herself in the middle of a dangerous adventure hunting for treasure with a mercenary rogue.

Director:

Robert Zemeckis

Writer:

Diane Thomas

Stars:

Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner, Danny DeVito

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 8 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Michael Douglas	...	Jack Colton
Kathleen Turner	...	Joan Wilder
Danny DeVito	...	Ralph
Zack Norman	...	Ira
Alfonso Arau	...	Juan
Manuel Ojeda	...	Zolo
Holland Taylor	...	Gloria
Mary Ellen Trainor	...	Elaine
Eve Smith	...	Mrs. Irwin
Joe Nesnow	...	Super
José Chávez	...	Santos
Evita Muñoz 'Chachita'	...	Hefty Woman (as Chachita)
Camillo García	...	Bus Driver
Rodrigo Puebla	...	Bad Hombre
Paco Morayta	...	Hotel Clerk

Storyline

Joan Wilder, a mousy romance novelist, receives a treasure map in the mail from her recently murdered brother-in-law. Meanwhile, her sister Elaine is kidnapped in Colombia and the two criminals responsible demand that she travel to Colombia to exchange the map for her sister. Joan does, and quickly becomes lost in the jungle after being waylayed by Zolo, a vicious and corrupt Colombian cop who will stop at nothing to obtain the map. There, she meets an irreverent soldier-of-fortune named Jack Colton who agrees to bring her back to civilization. Together, they embark upon an adventure that could be straight out of Joan's novels.

---

Plot Keywords:

good versus evil | evil man | hero | heroine | zion national park | 

---

Taglines:

She's a girl from the big city. He's a reckless soldier of fortune. For a fabulous treasure, they share an adventure no one could imagine... or survive.

---

Genres:

Action | Adventure | Comedy | Romance

---

Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA Mexico

Language:

English Spanish French

Release Date:

30 March 1984 (USA)

Also Known As:

Auf der Jagd nach dem grünen Diamanten

Filming Locations:

Huasca de Ocampo, Hidalgo, Mexico

Box Office

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$5,105,741, 1 April 1984, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$76,572,238

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$115,078,260

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox,El Corazon Producciones S.A.,Nina Saxon Film Design

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Actress Kathleen Turner once said of working with director Robert Zemeckis: "I remember terrible arguments [with Zemeckis] doing Romancing. He's a film-school grad, fascinated by cameras and effects. I never felt that he knew what I was having to do to adjust my acting to some of his damn cameras - sometimes he puts you in ridiculous postures. I'd say, 'This is not helping me! This is not the way I like to work, thank you!'".

---

Goofs

When Jack kills the snake right over Joan's shoulder, he pulls the dead snake out from behind her and it slides along a small ridge and falls down the small ridge where it touches Joan. In the next camera shot, the snake is back up on top of the ridge.

---

Quotes

[first lines]
Grogan: What's it gonna be, Angelina?
Joan Wilder: [voiceover narration] It was Grogan: the filthiest, dirtiest, *dumbest* excuse for a man west of the Missouri River.
Grogan: So, you can die two ways, angel: quick like the tongue of a snake, or slower than the molasses in January.
Joan Wilder: [voiceover narration] But it was October.
Grogan: I'll kill you, goddammit, if it's the Fourth of July! Where is it? Uhh. Get over there!
Joan Wilder: [voiceover narration] I told him to get out, now that he had what he came for.
Grogan: Not quite, angel.
[spits]
Grogan: ...
[...]

---

Connections

Referenced in NCIS: Agent Afloat (2008)

---

Soundtracks

Romancing the Stone
Written, Produced and Performed by Eddy Grant
Courtesy of Portrait/Ice Records
Heard in the patio scene after Joan and Jack are invited into the "bell maker's" house

User Reviews

Great adventure/romantic comedy

This is a rare film that can be enjoyed by almost everyone. I don't recommend it for really young kids, but early teens and older will enjoy it. Those who prefer adventure (a la Indiana Jones) will enjoy it, as will those who like romantic comedies. In addtion, the great Danny DeVito adds his own brand of humor. This is a movie that we all enjoy as a family over and over. I just wish that the movie company would put out a special edition DVD with commentary by the stars...I'd love to hear what Michael Douglas, Danny DeVito, and Kathleen Turner have to say about the making of this film. I also wonder if there are any outtakes or deleted scenes. What a disappointment the DVD is as far as extras go. We bought it because we enjoy the movie, but would definitely spend more if there was a special edition! I give it 4 out of 4 stars.