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The Water Engine

  • TV Movie
  • 19921992
  • 1h 50m
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
279
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
The Water Engine (1992)
  • Drama
In the 1930s, Charles Lang invents an engine that runs using water for fuel. But when he tries to get it patented, he is first offered a ridiculously low amount. When he refuses, he is sudde... Read allIn the 1930s, Charles Lang invents an engine that runs using water for fuel. But when he tries to get it patented, he is first offered a ridiculously low amount. When he refuses, he is suddenly several people are pressuring him to sell. The big oil companies don't want the compet... Read allIn the 1930s, Charles Lang invents an engine that runs using water for fuel. But when he tries to get it patented, he is first offered a ridiculously low amount. When he refuses, he is suddenly several people are pressuring him to sell. The big oil companies don't want the competition. Now he has to try and keep them from getting his idea, and somehow get it published... Read all
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
279
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Steven Schachter
  • Writer
    • David Mamet(play)
  • Stars
    • Charles Durning
    • Patti LuPone
    • William H. Macy
Top credits
  • Director
    • Steven Schachter
  • Writer
    • David Mamet(play)
  • Stars
    • Charles Durning
    • Patti LuPone
    • William H. Macy
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 4User reviews
    • 1Critic review
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination

    Photos7

    The Water Engine (1992)
    The Water Engine (1992)
    The Water Engine (1992)
    The Water Engine (1992)
    William H. Macy, John Mahoney, and Joe Mantegna in The Water Engine (1992)
    The Water Engine (1992)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Charles Durning
    Charles Durning
    • Tour Guideas Tour Guide
    Patti LuPone
    Patti LuPone
    • Rita Langas Rita Lang
    William H. Macy
    William H. Macy
    • Charles Langas Charles Lang
    John Mahoney
    John Mahoney
    • Mason Grossas Mason Gross
    Joe Mantegna
    Joe Mantegna
    • Lawrence Obermanas Lawrence Oberman
    Joanna Miles
    Joanna Miles
    • Mrs. Varekas Mrs. Varek
    Mike Nussbaum
    Mike Nussbaum
    • Mr. Wallaceas Mr. Wallace
    Treat Williams
    Treat Williams
    • Dave Murrayas Dave Murray
    J.J. Johnston
    J.J. Johnston
    • White Haired Manas White Haired Man
    David Mamet
    David Mamet
    • Brown Haired Manas Brown Haired Man
    Andrea Marcovicci
    Andrea Marcovicci
    • Singer in Dance Hallas Singer in Dance Hall
    John Capodice
    John Capodice
    • Keganas Kegan
    Peter Michael Goetz
    Peter Michael Goetz
    • Soapbox Speaker Oneas Soapbox Speaker One
    Natalija Nogulich
    Natalija Nogulich
    • Soapbox Speaker Twoas Soapbox Speaker Two
    • (as Natalia Nogulich)
    Ricky Jay
    Ricky Jay
    • Ratty Inventoras Ratty Inventor
    Lucinda Jenney
    Lucinda Jenney
    • Gross's Secretaryas Gross's Secretary
    Rebecca Pidgeon
    Rebecca Pidgeon
    • Connieas Connie
    Tim Farrell
    • Bernieas Bernie
    • Director
      • Steven Schachter
    • Writer
      • David Mamet(play)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    In the 1930s, Charles Lang invents an engine that runs using water for fuel. But when he tries to get it patented, he is first offered a ridiculously low amount. When he refuses, he is suddenly several people are pressuring him to sell. The big oil companies don't want the competition. Now he has to try and keep them from getting his idea, and somehow get it published. —Brian W Martz <B.Martz@Genie.com>
    • engine
    • water
    • fuel
    • big oil
    • 1930s
    • 9 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Betrayal is just another game in the world of business.
    • Genre
      • Drama
    • Parents guide
      • Add content advisory

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      One of at least eight theatrical feature film collaborations of David Mamet and actor J.J. Johnston. The films are: 'Lakeboat' (2000), 'Homicide' (1991), 'Spartan' (2004), 'Redbelt' (2008), 'Things Change' (1988), 'State and Main' (2000), 'The Spanish Prisoner' (1997), and 'The Water Engine' (1992) (TV).

    User reviews4

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    The Real Con
    Essential viewing for those of us who like David Mamet's highly stylised dialogue and his always watchable cast of regulars, but it's a shame that someone as sharp as he is, and an expert on con games too, should appear to endorse the apparently undying folk myth of the man (there have been several of them) who invents an engine that runs on water but is suppressed by big business. A film that accepted the falsity of free energy/perpetual motion claims and the villainy of the people who promote them - at least one free energy salesman is probably robbing the local farmers of their savings in a Midwest church hall right now - would have been a really ripe subject for Mamet, and a more satisfying film.
    helpful•2
    14
    • that_ealing_feeling
    • Jul 31, 2006

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 24, 1992 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • El motor de agua
    • Production companies
      • Amblin Television
      • Brandman Productions
      • Majestic Films International
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 50 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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