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IMDbPro

The Pelican Brief

  • 19931993
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 2h 21m
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
86K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,150
327
Julia Roberts and Denzel Washington in The Pelican Brief (1993)
Home Video Trailer from Warner Home Video
Play trailer0:31
1 Video
99+ Photos
  • Crime
  • Drama
  • Mystery
A law student uncovers a conspiracy, putting herself and others in danger.A law student uncovers a conspiracy, putting herself and others in danger.A law student uncovers a conspiracy, putting herself and others in danger.
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
86K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,150
327
  • Director
    • Alan J. Pakula
  • Writers
    • John Grisham(book)
    • Alan J. Pakula(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Julia Roberts
    • Denzel Washington
    • Sam Shepard
Top credits
  • Director
    • Alan J. Pakula
  • Writers
    • John Grisham(book)
    • Alan J. Pakula(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Julia Roberts
    • Denzel Washington
    • Sam Shepard
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 141User reviews
    • 56Critic reviews
    • 50Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 2 nominations

    Videos1

    The Pelican Brief
    Trailer 0:31
    The Pelican Brief

    Photos105

    Julia Roberts and Denzel Washington in The Pelican Brief (1993)
    Julia Roberts in The Pelican Brief (1993)
    Julia Roberts and Denzel Washington in The Pelican Brief (1993)
    Julia Roberts and Denzel Washington in The Pelican Brief (1993)
    Julia Roberts and Denzel Washington in The Pelican Brief (1993)
    Julia Roberts, Denzel Washington, and Dennis Quaid in The Pelican Brief (1993)
    Julia Roberts and Denzel Washington in The Pelican Brief (1993)
    Julia Roberts and Denzel Washington in The Pelican Brief (1993)
    The Pelican Brief (1993)
    Julia Roberts and Denzel Washington in The Pelican Brief (1993)
    Julia Roberts and Denzel Washington in The Pelican Brief (1993)
    Julia Roberts and Denzel Washington in The Pelican Brief (1993)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Julia Roberts
    Julia Roberts
    • Darby Shawas Darby Shaw
    Denzel Washington
    Denzel Washington
    • Gray Granthamas Gray Grantham
    Sam Shepard
    Sam Shepard
    • Thomas Callahanas Thomas Callahan
    John Heard
    John Heard
    • Gavin Verheekas Gavin Verheek
    Tony Goldwyn
    Tony Goldwyn
    • Fletcher Coalas Fletcher Coal
    James Sikking
    James Sikking
    • FBI Director Denton Voylesas FBI Director Denton Voyles
    • (as James B. Sikking)
    William Atherton
    William Atherton
    • Bob Gminskias Bob Gminski
    Robert Culp
    Robert Culp
    • Presidentas President
    Stanley Tucci
    Stanley Tucci
    • Khamelas Khamel
    Hume Cronyn
    Hume Cronyn
    • Justice Rosenbergas Justice Rosenberg
    John Lithgow
    John Lithgow
    • Smith Keenas Smith Keen
    Anthony Heald
    Anthony Heald
    • Marty Velmanoas Marty Velmano
    Nicholas Woodeson
    Nicholas Woodeson
    • Stumpas Stump
    Stanley Anderson
    Stanley Anderson
    • Edwin Snelleras Edwin Sneller
    John Finn
    John Finn
    • Matthew Barras Matthew Barr
    Cynthia Nixon
    Cynthia Nixon
    • Alice Starkas Alice Stark
    Jake Weber
    Jake Weber
    • Charles Morganas Charles Morgan…
    Casey Biggs
    Casey Biggs
    • Eric Eastas Eric East
    • Director
      • Alan J. Pakula
    • Writers
      • John Grisham(book)
      • Alan J. Pakula(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    6.7
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    Fallen
    7.0
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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Filmed in sequence.
    • Goofs
      Justice Jensen is killed by Khamel using a rope to strangle him. It takes him no more than a second to kill him. It seems highly unlikely that one could strangle a person in just one second. However, the strangulation is not shown, but judging by Khamel's quick yank and the sound Jensen made, it seems likely that he successfully dislocated or crushed a vertebra in his neck, which would quickly cause suffocation.
    • Quotes

      Gray Grantham: Do you want to talk about the brief?

      Darby Shaw: Everyone I have told about the brief is dead.

      Gray Grantham: I take my chances.

    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Schindler's List/Geronimo: An American Legend/Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit/Wayne's World 2/Six Degrees of Separation (1993)
    • Soundtracks
      Blues For Carol
      Written and Performed by Clarence Hollimon
      Courtesy of Black Top Records

    User reviews141

    Review
    Top review
    6/10
    Everyone I have told about the brief is dead.
    Take any John Grisham novel and have it brought to screen, written and directed by Alan J. Pakula (Sophie's Choice, All the President's Men. To Kill a Mockingbird), and add Julia Roberts and Denzel Washington as the leads, and you have a movie that is worthy of 141 minutes of your life.

    I love political films. You know that if you have read my reviews. Political thrillers are especially great. This one is well worth watching for the story, the directing, and, most especially, for the lead actors. I do not think that Washington and Roberts have ever disappointed me - OK, there was that License to Kill in 1984.

    I won't synopsize - you can get that anywhere - but, I will say that you will not be disappointed. It's not a popcorn movie, you have to put some effort into watching it, but the rewards are great. And the chemistry between Roberts and Washington is fantastic!
    helpful•37
    15
    • lastliberal
    • Aug 14, 2007

    FAQ7

    • What is "The Pelican Brief" about?
    • Is "The Pelican Brief" based on a book?
    • How did Darby know to get out of the rental car before it blew up?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 17, 1993 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Hồ Sơ Bồ Nông
    • Filming locations
      • New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
    • Production company
      • Warner Bros.
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $45,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $100,768,056
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $16,864,404
      • Dec 19, 1993
    • Gross worldwide
      • $195,268,056
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 21 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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