Minnesota car salesman Jerry Lundegaard's inept crime falls apart due to his and his henchmen's bungling and the persistent police work of the quite pregnant Marge Gunderson.
Directors:
Writers:
Awards:
- Won 2 Oscars. Another 81 wins & 58 nominations.
- See more »
Reviews:
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| William H. Macy | ... |
Jerry Lundegaard
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| Steve Buscemi | ... |
Carl Showalter
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| Peter Stormare | ... |
Gaear Grimsrud
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| Kristin Rudrüd | ... |
Jean Lundegaard
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| Harve Presnell | ... |
Wade Gustafson
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| Tony Denman | ... |
Scotty Lundegaard
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| Gary Houston | ... |
Irate Customer
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Sally Wingert | ... |
Irate Customer's Wife
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Kurt Schweickhardt | ... |
Car Salesman
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Larissa Kokernot | ... |
Hooker #1
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| Melissa Peterman | ... |
Hooker #2
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| Steve Reevis | ... |
Shep Proudfoot
(as Steven Reevis)
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| Warren Keith | ... |
Reilly Diefenbach (voice)
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Steve Edelman | ... |
Morning Show Host
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Sharon Anderson | ... |
Morning Show Hostess
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| Larry Brandenburg | ... |
Stan Grossman
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| James Gaulke | ... |
State Trooper
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| J. Todd Anderson | ... |
Victim in the Field
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Michelle Suzanne LeDoux | ... |
Victim in Car
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| Frances McDormand | ... |
Marge Gunderson
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| John Carroll Lynch | ... |
Norm Gunderson
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| Bruce Bohne | ... |
Lou
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Petra Boden | ... |
Cashier
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| Steve Park | ... |
Mike Yanagita
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Wayne A. Evenson | ... |
Customer
(as Wayne Evenson)
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Cliff Rakerd | ... |
Officer Olson
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| Jessica Shepherd | ... |
Hotel Clerk
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Peter Schmitz | ... |
Airport Lot Attendant
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Steven I. Schafer | ... |
Mechanic
(as Steve Schaefer)
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| Michelle Hutchison | ... |
Escort
(as Michelle Hutchinson)
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| David S. Lomax | ... |
Man in Hallway
(as David Lomax)
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| José Feliciano | ... |
José Feliciano
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Bix Skahill | ... |
Night Parking Attendant
(as Don William Skahill)
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Bain Boehlke | ... |
Mr. Mohra
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Rose Stockton | ... |
Valerie (voice)
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Robert Ozasky | ... |
Bismarck Cop #1
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John Bandemer | ... |
Bismarck Cop #2
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Don Wescott | ... |
Bark Beetle Narrator (voice)
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
| Bruce Campbell | ... |
Soap Opera Actor on TV (uncredited) (archiveFootage)
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Matthew McCloud | ... |
Chet (uncredited)
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Clifford Nelson | ... |
Heavyset Man In Bar (uncredited)
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Lori J. Ness | ... |
Women in the Bar (uncredited)
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Directed by
| Joel Coen | ||
| Ethan Coen | ... | (uncredited) |
Written by
| Ethan Coen | ... | (written by) & |
| Joel Coen | ... | (written by) |
Produced by
| Tim Bevan | ... | executive producer |
| John Cameron | ... | line producer |
| Ethan Coen | ... | producer |
| Joel Coen | ... | producer (uncredited) |
| Eric Fellner | ... | executive producer |
Music by
| Carter Burwell | ... | (music by) |
Cinematography by
| Roger Deakins | ... | director of photography |
Editing by
| Ethan Coen | ... | film editor (as Roderick Jaynes) |
| Joel Coen | ... | film editor (as Roderick Jaynes) |
Editorial Department
| Tricia Cooke | ... | associate editor |
| Nick Dibeneditto | ... | negative cutter: N&D Films and Video |
| David Diliberto | ... | first assistant editor (as Big Dave Diliberto) |
| Daniel J. Geiger | ... | location assistant editor (as Daniel Geiger) |
| Alma Kuttruff | ... | apprentice editor |
| Nicole Schneider | ... | assistant editor: on location (uncredited) |
Casting By
| John S. Lyons | ... | (casting by) (as John Lyons) |
Production Design by
| Rick Heinrichs | ||
Art Direction by
| Thomas P. Wilkins | ||
Set Decoration by
| Lauri Gaffin | ||
Costume Design by
| Mary Zophres | ||
Makeup Department
| John Blake | ... | key makeup artist |
| Daniel Curet | ... | key hair stylist |
| Bart Mixon | ... | special makeup effects artist (uncredited) |
| Cheryl Ann Nick | ... | additional makeup artist (uncredited) |
Production Management
| Margaret Hayes | ... | post-production supervisor |
| Gilly Ruben | ... | unit production manager |
| Mark Wolfe | ... | executive in charge of production (uncredited) |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Michelangelo Csaba Bolla | ... | first assistant director |
| James Alan Hensz | ... | second assistant director (as James Allen Hensz) |
| Donald Murphy | ... | second second assistant director |
| Brian O'Kelley | ... | second assistant director |
Art Department
| J. Todd Anderson | ... | storyboard artist |
| Robb T. Anderson | ... | carpenter (as Robb Anderson) |
| Maria L. Baker | ... | art department assistant (as Maria Baker) |
| Gregory Banks | ... | carpenter (as Greg Banks) |
| Curtis Baruth | ... | construction coordinator (as Curtis W. Baruth) |
| Brian Bebler | ... | carpenter |
| Dwight Benjamin-Creel | ... | property master |
| Denise Boquist | ... | painter |
| Thomas Christianson | ... | painter |
| Joe Connolly | ... | assistant property master |
| Jeffrey Daniels | ... | set dresser |
| Beth Edelstein | ... | painter / sculptor |
| Kirk Erickson | ... | carpenter |
| Joseph F. Ferraro | ... | set dresser |
| Andrew Foster | ... | carpenter |
| Norine Joy Francis | ... | Art Department Consultant |
| Paul Hankey | ... | carpenter |
| Anne Hyvarinen | ... | lead scenic |
| Kay Kropp | ... | painter |
| Sydney Ann Lunn | ... | property assistant |
| Jeff Murphy | ... | sculptor |
| Patrick L. Owen | ... | carpenter (as Patrick Owen) |
| Gene Palusky | ... | carpenter |
| John David Paul | ... | assistant art director |
| Stephen J. Readmond | ... | on-set dresser (as Stephen Readmond) |
| Bradford Richardson | ... | graphic artist |
| Tim Schwob | ... | construction foreman (as Timothy Schwob) |
| Joseph Skala | ... | carpenter |
| Steve Speers | ... | set dresser |
| Jill Stevenson | ... | set dressing buyer |
| Amy Thornberry | ... | assistant lead scenic |
| Susan J. Tveit | ... | art department coordinator |
| Gerald S. Upham | ... | carpenter |
| Bob Wiesner | ... | set dresser |
| Ben Woolverton | ... | leadman |
| David K. Pederson | ... | painter (uncredited) |
Sound Department
| Michael Barry | ... | re-recording mixer |
| Allan Byer | ... | sound mixer |
| Benjamin Cheah | ... | sound effects recordist (as Ben Cheah) |
| Marko A. Costanzo | ... | foley artist (as Marko Costanzo) |
| Ezra Dweck | ... | foley mixer |
| Dan Evans Farkas | ... | assistant sound editor (as Dan Evans Farcus) |
| Eugene Gearty | ... | sound effects editor |
| Lewis Goldstein | ... | sound effects editor |
| Bradford L. Hohle | ... | consultant: Dolby |
| Kenton Jakub | ... | adr editor |
| Ken J. Johnson | ... | sound effects recordist (as Ken Johnson) |
| Frank Kern | ... | foley editor |
| Peter F. Kurland | ... | boom operator |
| Skip Lievsay | ... | re-recording mixer / supervising sound editor |
| Kimberly R. McCord-Wilson | ... | apprentice sound editor (as Kimberly R. McCord) |
| Todd Milner | ... | assistant sound editor |
| Glenfield Payne | ... | sound effects editor |
| Bruce Pross | ... | foley editor |
| Fred Rosenberg | ... | dialogue editor (as Frederick Rosenberg) |
| Steven Visscher | ... | foley editor |
| Magdaline Volaitis | ... | dialogue editor |
| Knox White | ... | utility sound technician (as Knox Grantham White) |
| Keenan Wyatt | ... | boom operator |
| John Sorensen | ... | adr editor (uncredited) |
Special Effects by
| Bruce R. Anderson | ... | special effects technician |
| Wilfred Caban | ... | pyrotechnician |
| Joe Carroll | ... | special effects technician |
| Michael Kranz | ... | special effects technician |
| Paul Murphy | ... | special effects coordinator |
| Dieter Sturm | ... | snowmaker |
| Yvonne Sturm | ... | snowmaker |
Visual Effects by
| John Alagna | ... | opticals: The Effects House |
Stunts
| Danny Downey | ... | stunt player |
| Jery Hewitt | ... | stunt coordinator / stunt player |
| Jennifer Lamb | ... | stunt player |
| Eddie L. Watkins | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Jim Bridges | ... | still photographer (as James Bridges) |
| Robin Brown | ... | camera operator |
| Peter Clemence | ... | best boy grip |
| Tony Corapi | ... | electrician |
| Ed Dally | ... | film loader |
| Milo Durben | ... | dolly grip |
| Tom Franchett | ... | electrician |
| Adam Gilmore | ... | second assistant camera |
| Andy Harris | ... | first assistant camera |
| William H. Hobson | ... | company grip (as William Hobson) |
| Jeremy Knaster | ... | best boy electrician |
| Mitchell Andrew Lillian | ... | key grip (as Mitch Lillian) |
| William Moore | ... | rigging gaffer |
| Bill O'Leary | ... | chief lighting technician |
| Timothy O'Toole | ... | video playback |
| Joseph Slagerman | ... | company grip |
| Michael Tackett | ... | still photographer |
| Niel Williams | ... | company grip (as Neil Williams) |
| Robin Brown | ... | director of photography: second unit (uncredited) |
Casting Department
| Jane Brody | ... | casting associate / location casting |
| Kathleen Chopin | ... | casting assistant |
| Sandra Dawes | ... | extras casting (as Sandra D. Dawes) |
| Christine Sheaks | ... | casting associate |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Virginia Burton | ... | costumer |
| Sister A. Daniels | ... | costume supervisor (as Sister Daniels) |
Location Management
| Robert Graf | ... | location manager (as Robert J. Graf) |
| Donald J. Koshiol | ... | location assistant |
| Rachel Lynn | ... | assistant location manager (as Rachel L.T. Kapel) |
| Bill Schwab | ... | location projectionist |
| Stuart Skrien | ... | location assistant |
| Christopher P. Jacobs | ... | location projectionist: Grand Forks (uncredited) |
Music Department
| Carter Burwell | ... | conductor / orchestrator |
| Emile Charlap | ... | music contractor |
| Edmund Choi | ... | assistant to composer |
| Michael Farrow | ... | music scoring mixer |
| Shari Johanson | ... | associate music editor (as Shari Schwartz) |
| Todd Kasow | ... | music editor (as Todd Kassow) |
| Sonny Kompanek | ... | orchestrator (uncredited) |
| John Moses | ... | musician: clarinet (uncredited) |
| Paul Peabody | ... | musician: violin (uncredited) |
Script and Continuity Department
| T. Kukovinski | ... | script supervisor |
Transportation Department
| Dave Amberik | ... | driver |
| Michael Arnold | ... | picture car coordinator |
| Keith Carlson | ... | driver |
| Dave Drentlaw | ... | driver (as David Drentlaw) |
| Wade P. Ehlen | ... | driver |
| David F. Evans | ... | driver |
| Scott Michael Johnson | ... | driver (as Scott Johnson) |
| Michael Kennedy | ... | transportation coordinator (as Michael J. Kennedy) |
| Frank Ketchum | ... | transportation captain |
| Eugene Kirsch | ... | driver (as Gene Kisch) |
| Peter L. Mullin | ... | picture car assistant |
| Ivy Poulliot | ... | driver |
| John Rehborg | ... | driver |
| Marti Smith | ... | driver (as Marty E. Smith) |
| Tommy Ray Smith | ... | driver |
Additional Crew
| John Albrecht | ... | payroll accountant |
| Clement Baque | ... | caterer: Entertainment Motion Picture Catering |
| Cheryl Broussard | ... | assistant production coordinator (as Cheryl M. Broussard) |
| Mark Demarais | ... | set production assistant |
| Daniel J. Dustin | ... | set medic: Rescue Resources, Inc. (as Dan Dustin) |
| Joe Everett | ... | unit publicist |
| Jane Frazer | ... | head of production: Working Title |
| Kurt W. Gensmer | ... | set medic: Rescue Resources, Inc. |
| Karen Ruth Getchell | ... | production coordinator |
| Senor Greazer | ... | meat dinner mc (as Señor Greazer) |
| Dave Halls | ... | set production assistant |
| Elizabeth Himelstein | ... | dialect coach |
| Carlos José Ibarra | ... | mechanic (as Jose Ibarra) |
| Dana Kelley | ... | assistant accountant |
| Michelle Suzanne LeDoux | ... | craft service (as Michelle LeDoux) |
| Angela Morrison | ... | head of business affairs: Working Title |
| William Preston Robertson | ... | meat dinner mc (as Bill Robertson) |
| Albert G. Ruben | ... | insurance provider |
| Dan Runyon | ... | craft service |
| Mindy Sheldon | ... | production accountant |
| Jessica Shepherd | ... | set production assistant |
| Bix Skahill | ... | office production assistant (as Don 'Bix' Skahill) |
| Jose Solorzano | ... | caterer: Entertainment Motion Picture Catering |
| Eric Vignando | ... | caterer: Entertainment Motion Picture Catering |
| Charlie Vogel | ... | post-production accountant (as Charles Vogel) |
| Jeffrey Abramson | ... | pre-production intern (uncredited) |
| Randall Balsmeyer | ... | title designer (uncredited) |
| Mimi Everett | ... | title designer (uncredited) |
| Peter D. Graves | ... | executive marketing consultant (uncredited) |
| Kelly Nathe | ... | photo double: Jean Lundegaard (uncredited) |
| William Preston Robertson | ... | field interviewer/archivist for Minnesota accents (uncredited) |
Thanks
| Mark Cady | ... | special thanks |
| David Daugherty | ... | special thanks |
| Deana Elwell | ... | special thanks |
| Rick Finkelstein | ... | special thanks |
| Peter D. Graves | ... | special thanks (as Peter Graves) |
| Julie Hartley | ... | special thanks |
| James Hautman | ... | special thanks |
| Robert Hautman | ... | special thanks |
| Michael Kuhn | ... | special thanks |
| Aline Perry | ... | special thanks |
| Malcolm Ritchie | ... | special thanks |
| Russell Schwartz | ... | special thanks |
| Stewart Till | ... | special thanks |
| Mark Wolfe | ... | special thanks |
Production Companies
- PolyGram Filmed Entertainment (presents)
- Working Title Films (in association with)
Distributors
- Gramercy Pictures (I) (1996) (United States) (theatrical)
- Alliance (1996) (Canada) (theatrical)
- Ascot Elite Entertainment Group (1996) (Switzerland) (theatrical)
- Concorde-Castle Rock/Turner (1996) (Germany) (theatrical)
- PolyGram Film Distribution (1996) (France) (theatrical)
- PolyGram Filmed Entertainment Distribution (1996) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
- PolyGram Filmed Entertainment (1996) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- SF Studio (1996) (Norway) (theatrical)
- Sogepaq Distribución (1996) (Spain) (theatrical)
- Svensk Filmindustri (SF) (1996) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- Vitória Filmes (1996) (Portugal) (theatrical)
- Finnkino (1996) (Finland)
- PolyGram Video (1996) (United States) (VHS) (pan and scan)
- Becker Entertainment (1996) (Australia) (theatrical)
- Chapel Distribution (1997) (Australia) (theatrical)
- Elliniki Kinimatografiki Enosi (ELKE) (1997) (Greece) (theatrical)
- Lider Films (1997) (Argentina) (theatrical)
- Concorde Video (1997) (Germany) (VHS)
- Gativideo (1997) (Argentina) (VHS)
- PolyGram Video (Netherlands) (VHS) (rental)
- 20th Century Fox India (1998) (India) (theatrical)
- Concorde Home Entertainment (1998) (Germany) (DVD)
- Home Video Hellas (HVH) (1998) (Greece) (VHS)
- TNT (1998) (United States) (tv)
- Channel Four (1999) (United Kingdom) (tv)
- MGM Home Entertainment (1999) (United States) (VHS)
- Nelonen (1999) (Finland) (tv)
- TBS Superstation (1999) (United States) (tv)
- Warner Home Video (1999) (United States) (VHS) (for MGM)
- Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment (2000) (Netherlands) (VHS) (retail)
- MGM Home Entertainment (2002) (United States) (DVD)
- Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment (2003) (Netherlands) (DVD)
- Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment (2007) (Netherlands) (DVD) (special edition)
- FS Film (2008) (Finland) (DVD)
- 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2009) (United Kingdom) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
- 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2009) (United States) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
- Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment (2009) (Netherlands) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
- 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2010) (United States) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
- 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2011) (Germany) (DVD)
- De Volkskrant (2011) (Netherlands) (DVD) (Complete Coen Brother Collection)
- Film1 (2012) (Netherlands) (tv) (limited)
- 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2014) (Germany) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
- 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2014) (United States) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
- Ciné-Sorbonne (2016) (France) (theatrical) (re-release) (restored version)
- Shout! Factory (2017) (United States) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
- Shout! Factory (2018) (United States) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
- Warner Bros. Home Entertainment (2020) (United States) (Blu-ray) (DVD) (reprint for MGM)
- 9Go! (2022) (Australia) (tv)
- Summer Classics (2023) (Greece) (theatrical) (re-release)
- Shout Select (2023) (United States) (Blu-ray)
- Shout Select (2023) (United States) (Ultra HD Blu-ray)
- Shout! Factory (2023) (United States) (Blu-ray)
- Shout! Factory (2023) (United States) (Ultra HD Blu-ray)
- Shout! Studios (2023) (United States) (Ultra HD Blu-ray)
- 9Go! (2024) (Australia) (tv)
- 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (Brazil) (DVD)
- Columbia TriStar Home Video (Australia) (VHS)
- Rizzoli Corriere della Sera Home Video (RCS) (Italy) (VHS)
- Top Tape (Brazil) (VHS)
Special Effects
- Sturm's Special Effects International (snow making)
- The Computer Film Company (CFC) (paint shot)
Other Companies
- Albinsons (special thanks)
- Balsmeyer and Everett (titles composed by)
- C5 (post-production sound)
- Cannes Film Festival (festival)
- City of Edina (special thanks)
- City of St. Paul (special thanks)
- Costumes and Creatures (special thanks)
- Entertainment Motion Picture Catering (catering)
- Helly-Hansen (special thanks)
- International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) (acknowledgement)
- International Film Guarantors (completion bond services provided by)
- Juniper Post (ADR recording)
- Minnesota Department of Transportation (special thanks)
- Minnesota Film Board (special thanks)
- Municipal Parking Inc. (special thanks)
- N&D Film and Video (negative cutting)
- North Dakota Film Commission (special thanks)
- Otto Nemenz International (Arriflex cameras supplied by)
- Paskal Lighting (lighting equipment supplied by)
- Pembina County, North Dakota (special thanks)
- Polaris Industries (special thanks)
- RHH/Albert G. Ruben Insurance Services (insurance provided by)
- Rescue Resources (set medics)
- Rollins Hudig Hall (insurance)
- Sapex Scripts (post-production script services)
- Sound One Corporation (post-production sound by)
- Spectral Recording Dolby Stereo Digital (in selected theatres worldwide)
- Sureway Air Express (special thanks)
- The City of Minneapolis (special thanks)
- The Computer Film Company (CFC) (special thanks)
- The Effects House (opticals)
- Wow & Flutter (ADR recording)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
Jerry works in his father-in-law's car dealership and has gotten himself in financial problems. He tries various schemes to come up with money needed for a reason that is never really explained. It has to be assumed that his huge embezzlement of money from the dealership is about to be discovered by father-in-law. When all else falls through, plans he set in motion earlier for two men to kidnap his wife for ransom to be paid by her wealthy father (who doesn't seem to have the time of day for son-in-law). From the moment of the kidnapping, things go wrong and what was supposed to be a non-violent affair turns bloody with more blood added by the minute. Jerry is upset at the bloodshed, which turns loose a pregnant sheriff from Brainerd, MN who is tenacious in attempting to solve the three murders in her jurisdiction. Written by Anonymous |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | A homespun murder story. See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
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Additional Details
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Box Office
| Budget | $7,000,000 (estimated) |
| Cumulative Worldwide Gross | $36,000,000 |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | The snow plow that drives past the motel at the end of the film was not part of the script. Signs in the area warned motorists not to drive through due to filming, but a state employee ignored them. See more » |
| Goofs | Jean Lundegaard dials 911 from a phone in the upstairs bathroom. A few seconds later, the phone is disconnected. While modern 911 systems could automatically identify the address, that was not the case in 1987. The dispatcher might not have been able to take any further action. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in Up Close and Personal/Muppet Treasure Island/Fargo/Heidi Fleiss: Hollywood Madam/The Young Poisoner's Handbook (1996). See more » |
| Soundtracks | Do You Know the Way to San Jose See more » |
| Crazy Credits | A symbol similar to the Artist Formerly Known as Prince is in the credits as "victim in field", but it is not him, it is J. Todd Anderson, the storyboard artist. See more » |
| Quotes |
Marge Gunderson:
[to Gaear]
So, that was Mrs. Lundegaard on the floor in there. And I guess that was your accomplice in the wood chipper. And those three people in Brainerd. And for what? For a little bit of money? There's more to life than a little money, you know. Don'tcha know that? And here ya are, and it's a beautiful day. Well. I just don't understand it. See more » |