Lightning Jack (1994)

Lightning Jack Kane is an Australian outlaw in the wild west. During a bungled bank robbery he picks up mute Ben Doyle as a hostage. The two become good friends, with Jack teaching Ben how ... See full summary »

Director:

Simon Wincer

Writer:

Paul Hogan

Stars:

Paul Hogan, Cuba Gooding Jr., Beverly D'Angelo

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Paul Hogan	...	Lightning Jack Kane
Cuba Gooding Jr.	...	Ben Doyle
Beverly D'Angelo	...	Lana Castel
Kamala Lopez	...	Pilar (as Kamala Dawson)
Pat Hingle	...	U.S. Marshal Dan Kurtz
L.Q. Jones	...	Sheriff
Richard Riehle	...	Marcus
Frank McRae	...	Mr. Doyle
Roger Daltrey	...	John T. Coles
Max Cullen	...	Bart
Sandy Ward	...	Judge Curren
Roy Brocksmith	...	Junction City Tailor
Douglas Stewart	...	Junction City Shopkeeper
Kevin O'Morrison	...	Old Guy in Alley
Mark Miles	...	Luke

Storyline

Lightning Jack Kane is an Australian outlaw in the wild west. During a bungled bank robbery he picks up mute Ben Doyle as a hostage. The two become good friends, with Jack teaching Ben how to rob banks, while they plan Jack's last heist.

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Plot Keywords:

mute man | interracial friendship | hooker with heart of gold | wild west | monument valley | 

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Taglines:

A comedy about two outlaws who just wanted to be wanted.

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Genres:

Comedy | Western

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for sexual content

Did You Know?

Trivia

The name of the film's protagonist "Lightning Jack" is partly a reference to Paul Hogan's pretend home town of Lightning Ridge in New South Wales. In reality Paul Hogan was born in Sydney

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Goofs

Ben inexplicably regains his shoes between getting the second horse and riding into the next town.

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Quotes

Lightning Jack Kane: [hands news paper over] Read that out to me.
Old Guy in Alley: Yes sir, but, you dont need the gun son, i aint the law.
[pause]
Old Guy in Alley: Younger gang wiped out.
Lightning Jack Kane: [takes news paper and points to his section] That part.
Old Guy in Alley: The only flaw in the trap was the escape of Lightning Jack Kane
[pause]
Old Guy in Alley: Although several witnesses swore he was shot full of holes and riding dead in his saddle. Kane is of medium height and build, blonde hair
[looks at Jacks hair]
Old Guy in Alley: with a mean withered face and has an English accent.
[...]

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Connections

Referenced in Heaven Sent (1994)

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Soundtracks

Cowboy Jack
Traditional
Performed by Beverly D'Angelo
Arranged by Bruce Rowland

User Reviews

A greatly overlooked movie.

This movie is one of the best comedy westerns for a long time and gives its stars ample time to perform.

Paul Hogan plays pretty much the same character as he did in Crocodile Dundee, only with a bit more heart, as a failed outlaw trying to make a name for himself in the Wild West with one big heist. His only partner is played by Cuba Gooding Jr., in a superb early performance as a dumb black shop assistant, with shows both comedic talent, and a depth to the character that Hogan himself probably didn't know was there when he wrote it.

A series of wonderfully scenes in bars all over the West, culminate in a perfect last heist that nobody knows about, and robs Hogan of his wanted fame.

Unfortunately, the box-office showed less confidence in the movie than it's investors on the Aussie stock-market did, but do not let that deter you from a very funny movie.

Details

Country:

USA Australia

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 March 1994 (USA)

Also Known As:

Lightning Jack

Filming Locations:

Monument Valley, Arizona, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$5,401,743, 13 March 1994

Gross USA:

$16,821,273

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$16,821,273

Company Credits

Production Co:

Lightning Ridge, Village Roadshow Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1