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Independence Day

  • 19961996
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 2h 25m
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
563K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
198
233
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Independence Day (1996)
Home video trailer for this sci fi thriller
Play trailer2:27
8 Videos
99+ Photos
  • Action
  • Adventure
  • Sci-Fi

The aliens are coming and their goal is to invade and destroy Earth. Fighting superior technology, mankind's best weapon is the will to survive.The aliens are coming and their goal is to invade and destroy Earth. Fighting superior technology, mankind's best weapon is the will to survive.The aliens are coming and their goal is to invade and destroy Earth. Fighting superior technology, mankind's best weapon is the will to survive.

IMDb RATING
7.0/10
563K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
198
233
  • Director
    • Roland Emmerich
  • Writers
    • Dean Devlin
    • Roland Emmerich
  • Stars
    • Will Smith
    • Bill Pullman
    • Jeff Goldblum
Top credits
  • Director
    • Roland Emmerich
  • Writers
    • Dean Devlin
    • Roland Emmerich
  • Stars
    • Will Smith
    • Bill Pullman
    • Jeff Goldblum
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 1KUser reviews
    • 197Critic reviews
    • 59Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 Oscar
      • 35 wins & 35 nominations total

    Videos8

    Independence Day
    Trailer 2:27
    Independence Day
    Independence Day
    Trailer 2:31
    Independence Day
    Jaws, Shreks, & Lion Kings: A Summer Blockbuster History
    Clip 7:23
    Jaws, Shreks, & Lion Kings: A Summer Blockbuster History
    Which Roles Did Will Smith Turn Down?
    Clip 2:27
    Which Roles Did Will Smith Turn Down?
    Independence Day
    Clip 1:35
    Independence Day
    Independence Day
    Clip 1:11
    Independence Day
    Bill Pullman on "The Sinner" and 'Independence Day' Secrets
    Video 3:08
    Bill Pullman on "The Sinner" and 'Independence Day' Secrets
    "Dates in Movie & TV History": July 4
    Video 2:42
    "Dates in Movie & TV History": July 4

    Photos361

    Independence Day (1996)
    Jeff Goldblum and Will Smith in Independence Day (1996)
    Bill Pullman in Independence Day (1996)
    Independence Day (1996)
    Behind the scenes photo from the bonus materials on the
    Behind the scenes photo from the bonus materials on the
    Behind the scenes photo from the bonus materials on the
    Christie Brinkley and Peter Cook at an event for Independence Day (1996)
    Harry Connick Jr. and Jill Goodacre at an event for Independence Day (1996)
    Billy Crystal and Janice Crystal at an event for Independence Day (1996)
    Faye Dunaway at an event for Independence Day (1996)
    Arsenio Hall at an event for Independence Day (1996)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Will Smith
    Will Smith
    • Capt. Steven Hilleras Capt. Steven Hiller
    Bill Pullman
    Bill Pullman
    • President Thomas J. Whitmoreas President Thomas J. Whitmore
    Jeff Goldblum
    Jeff Goldblum
    • David Levinsonas David Levinson
    Mary McDonnell
    Mary McDonnell
    • Marilyn Whitmoreas Marilyn Whitmore
    Judd Hirsch
    Judd Hirsch
    • Julius Levinsonas Julius Levinson
    Robert Loggia
    Robert Loggia
    • General William Greyas General William Grey
    Randy Quaid
    Randy Quaid
    • Russell Casseas Russell Casse
    Margaret Colin
    Margaret Colin
    • Constance Spanoas Constance Spano
    James Rebhorn
    James Rebhorn
    • Albert Nimzikias Albert Nimziki
    Harvey Fierstein
    Harvey Fierstein
    • Marty Gilbertas Marty Gilbert
    Adam Baldwin
    Adam Baldwin
    • Major Mitchellas Major Mitchell
    Brent Spiner
    Brent Spiner
    • Dr. Brakish Okunas Dr. Brakish Okun
    James Duval
    James Duval
    • Miguelas Miguel
    Vivica A. Fox
    Vivica A. Fox
    • Jasmine Dubrowas Jasmine Dubrow
    Lisa Jakub
    Lisa Jakub
    • Aliciaas Alicia
    Ross Bagley
    Ross Bagley
    • Dylanas Dylan
    Mae Whitman
    Mae Whitman
    • Patricia Whitmoreas Patricia Whitmore
    Bill Smitrovich
    Bill Smitrovich
    • Captain Watsonas Captain Watson
    • Director
      • Roland Emmerich
    • Writers
      • Dean Devlin
      • Roland Emmerich
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    5.8
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    Storyline

    Edit
    On July 2nd, communications systems worldwide are sent into chaos by a strange atmospheric interference. It is soon learned by the military that a number of enormous objects are on a collision course with Earth. At first thought to be meteors, they are later revealed to be gigantic spacecraft, piloted by a mysterious alien species. After attempts to communicate with the aliens go nowhere, David Levinson, an ex-scientist turned cable technician, discovers that the aliens are going to attack major points around the globe in less than a day. On July 3rd, the aliens all but obliterate New York, Los Angeles and Washington, as well as Paris, London, Houston and Moscow. The survivors set out in convoys towards Area 51, a strange government testing ground where it is rumored the military has a captured alien spacecraft of their own. The survivors devise a plan to fight back against the enslaving aliens, and July 4th becomes the day humanity will fight for its freedom. July 4th is their Independence Day... —Gustaf Molin <gumo@hem2.passagen.se>
    • product placement
    • fourth of july
    • alien fighter craft
    • alien invasion
    • saving the world mission
    • 355 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • We've always believed we weren't alone. On July 4th, we'll wish we were.
    • Genres
      • Action
      • Adventure
      • Sci-Fi
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • Rated PG-13 for sci-fi destruction and violence
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      According to producer/co-writer Dean Devlin, the U.S. military had agreed to support the film by allowing the crew to film at military bases, consulting the actors who have military roles, etc. However, after learning of the Area 51 references in the script, they withdrew their support.
    • Goofs
      (at around 2 mins) The opening scene in which the mothership passes the moon heading toward earth, the earth is shown with the southern hemisphere facing the sun - an indication of mid-winter in North America, not July.
    • Quotes

      [the President briefs the pilots before the final attack]

      President Thomas Whitmore: Good morning.

      [PA doesn't work. Turns it on]

      President Thomas Whitmore: Good morning. In less than an hour, aircraft from here will join others from around the world. And you will be launching the largest aerial battle in the history of mankind. "Mankind." That word should have new meaning for all of us today. We can't be consumed by our petty differences anymore. We will be united in our common interests. Perhaps it's fate that today is the Fourth of July, and you will once again be fighting for our freedom... Not from tyranny, oppression, or persecution... but from annihilation. We are fighting for our right to live. To exist. And should we win the day, the Fourth of July will no longer be known as an American holiday, but as the day the world declared in one voice: "We will not go quietly into the night!" We will not vanish without a fight! We're going to live on! We're going to survive! Today we celebrate our Independence Day!

      [crowd cheers]

    • Crazy credits
      Frank Bollinger, originally from the art department is credited as "Alien Supervisor" because he wasn't member of the union, so he wouldn't be allowed to work in that department.
    • Alternate versions
      An extended version of the film contains ca. 8 minutes of extended/additional footage bringing it to 153 minutes total. The scenes include:
      • The first dialogue between President Whitmore and Constance Spano was extended.
      • A few sentences were added in the scene as Whitmore proposes to go to DefCon 3.
      • The first added scene is a dialogue between David Levinson and a colleague at the TV station. He explains that an unknown signal is responsible for the bad TV broadcasting and that he may be able to block this signal.
      • In the next extended scene Russell Casse meets his son after he was released from prison.
      • Up next the dialogue between Jasmine and Tiffany in the strip club was extended.
      • Then there is an extended dialogue between David and his father on the way to the White house. Right after this is an added scene in which David is searching for the number of Constance's handy.
      • Another added scene features David and his father in the oval Office. The father is talking about the persons who visited this office. Actors, football players and now himself...
      • Right after Jasmine found the truck, there is an added scene in which the illness of Russell's youngest son is described.
      • The next added scene features Jasmine as she drives the truck and some survivors through the destroyed city.
      • Later in Area 51 there is an added scene in which David Levinson and Dr. Brakkish Okun go into the alien spacecraft. Here the Doctor explains some of the alien technology.
      • As Captain Steven Hiller arrives with the alien visitor, a scene was added in which Russell asks for a doctor for his ill son.
      • The last extended scene shows Russell's daughter establishing a new friendship while the fight rages above Area 51.
    • Connections
      Edited into Armageddon in Effect (2008)
    • Soundtracks
      It's the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)
      Written by Bill Berry (as William Berry), Peter Buck, Mike Mills (as Michael Mills) & Michael Stipe

      Performed by R.E.M.

      Courtesy of I.R.S. Records

    User reviews1K

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    A guilty pleasure. After all, action and tension is what Independence Day wants to deliver. It is not about complexity as his artistic expression resides in entertainment
    Roland Emmerich is, without a doubt, the Master of the catastrophe films. On his resume, the director not only has Independence Day, his first dive into the sub-genre, but also Godzilla, The Day After Tomorrow, and 2012, all marked by mass destruction - global most of the time - and a complete absence script or quality performances, absences that open the way for the visual spectacle in computer graphics with several memorable sequences. Here, Independence Day literally encapsulates the spirit of all those similar films from the 70s such as the series Airport, Earthquake, Hell in the Tower, Poseidon's Destiny, copying almost entirely from the classic formula, which usually addresses family nuclei or friends before the tragedy in a slow narrative construction and the consequences after the apocalypse sets in. And there's nothing wrong with that, actually, as Emmerich lends his ability to create epics - Stargate was his immediately preceding film, which already demonstrated his ability to handle science fiction well - and creates a film that will be guaranteed fun. Just ignore the various poetic licenses in the script and embark on the guilt-free adventure.

    With an estimated budget of 75 million, Independence Day stifled Spielberg's intentions to remake the classic 1953 War of the Worlds to present an alien invasion on an absurd scale. Since the first teaser trailers, with the shadows consuming tourist spots accompanied by the expression of astonishment from passers-by, the feature film has already come with the proposal to shape America's basic formula of self-destruction: if terrorists could not find access - until then - , a flurry of blockbusters began that featured the United States being threatened by natural phenomena and alien forces. As a masochistic pleasure intensified by the approach of the end of the millennium, the result could not be other than a lot of destruction, with sensational effects from impressive models, and the exaggerated patriotism, capable of putting the American president himself on a fighter to face the enemies. Interplanetary.

    Don't ask how, but even though the United States government communicates with other nations through Morse code, television continues to quietly broadcast the news with naughty information to the viewer - commonly, us - and that's even after the attacks. It doesn't help the spectator to wonder how David managed, in less than six hours, to pick up his father, get out of downtown New York faster than the whole crowd, and still arrive in Washington, about 330 kilometers from distance; And why bother with the fact that aliens, coming from beyond the solar system, count time in the same measurements as we do? After all, who cares? Forget it, after all, we are back in 1996, a time when the characters use gigantic cell phones, while the aliens have a touchscreen.

    Regarding the script of the film, it is fair to say that it is the factor most detonated by the specialized critic. The focus of the production really is to bring elaborate scenes of destruction, leaving the likelihood in the background. There is a lot of patriotism to the United States, to its July 4th holiday (which becomes a world holiday) and to the American army. The script also does not seek to deepen the personal dramas of the characters and some situations are quite fanciful. But the truth is that this was never the intention. Director Roland Emmerich sucks at character development - it would be prudent to say that he may not know what that actually means - but, on the other hand, he is efficient in his action sequences. And since they tend to put the protagonists and large crowds of people in danger, it is easy to gain public empathy, since we on this side of the screen prefer to think that, instead of those figures, we would also survive - right? Big explosion and collapse of a tunnel? No problem, you would go through this to drive a truck and save the First Lady of the United States. Drag the body of an extraterrestrial across the desert, even without supplies? Of course, if you, like Will Smith, can punch one of the damn aliens right in the face. Escape from a colossal explosion at the last second by just a few feet with Air Force One? Only if we can get rid of an even bigger explosion, in space and on board an alien spaceship. Emmerich may not take the human side of his characters very much into consideration, but he is great at instigating the superhuman in them, which hits our ego right in the middle - after all, if they succeed, why not me?

    If, on the one hand, the narrative is poor, Independence Day stands out in the technical part. David Arnold's great soundtrack, simply contagious, manages to electrify in the intense scenes and manages to thrill in those more dramatic scenes, as in a moment when an important character dies. The composer manages to bring a track with melodies that help and a lot to give the mood of the film. The editing of sound effects and sound mixing mixes well the noise of explosions, the shouting of people, the shooting of ships and falling buildings. It is no coincidence that he competed for the Oscar for Best Sound.

    The general shots taken by Karl Walter Lindenlaub, which Emmerich brought from Stargate, work very well to convey the magnitude of the attacks. David Brenner's montage (The Day After Tomorrow, 2012, The Man of Steel) also deserves commendation for not succumbing to the spectator's bewilderment. Using Lindenlaub's broader photograph very well, he connects the sequences in a way that makes the beating - even in the complicated final aerial attack - logical without losing its energy. And what about the visual effects, which won the Oscars? Today they may seem a little dated, but nothing that gets in the way. And when reviewing the film today, it is actually impressive that many scenes remain current. The grandeur of the ships, the destruction of buildings and the White House, the final air battles, everything remains exciting.

    The film is shallow and somewhat empty of content - the theme "union of nations" is beautiful, but if we squeeze it, nothing comes out - but it is undeniable that the director and his script partner Dean Devlin manage to create captivating characters, who they carry the film on their backs. Will Smith in his first big hit, in his burst stage. The star has always lavished charisma, mainly for his comical crazy things and in the action scenes. The best jokes and jokes come out of Smith's mouth. The star Jeff Goldblum (from 'The Fly" and 'Jurassic Park') always with presence and a restrained performance. Bill Pullman plays with respect a well-intentioned and convincing president. Veterans Randy Quaid and Judd Hirsch are surprisingly funny. The synchrony of all of them is something that helps us to care about the characters and cheer in the end.

    Independence Day is a beautiful example of the catastrophe film, almost a return to the seventies past, which seems to have been the decade that "created" the genre. This work by Emmerich will remain in the viewer's memory even if it is due to its exaggeration and absurd technological freedoms. A true guilty pleasure, of those who leave a pleasant smile on the face after the projection. It's another great guilty pleasure - that movie, which is essentially pretty bad, but you have fun watching it - directed by the filmmaker specializing in catastrophe films. After all, action and tension is what Emmerich wants to deliver. It is not about his "sophisticated and complex" plot that he wants to base his feature film on, as his artistic expression resides in entertainment. Who cares about ufanism - I would say implicitly, if the foreground was not an American flag - and cheesy melodramas when Bill Pullman is giving such an "inspirational" speech? Anyway, they say that there is that kind of film to "turn off the brain". I say that for this we have those we can call "bad". Independence Day is not to turn anything off, but rather just one of those event films that requires less from the intellect of others - which is different, and by no means a demerit. After all, features like these by Emmerich, however disposable they may be, will always find shelter.
    helpful•4
    0
    • fernandoschiavi
    • Apr 10, 2021

    FAQ15

    • How does the president of the United Sates of America NOT know about Area 51?
    • How is it the alien ships still look exactly like the one Area 51 has had since the 1950's?
    • in the final attack Pres. Whitman yells, "Fox 3!" when he fires missiles. what's the meaning and derivation of this?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 3, 1996 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • 20th Century Studios (United States)
      • Official Facebook
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • ID4
    • Filming locations
      • Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah, USA
    • Production companies
      • Twentieth Century Fox
      • Centropolis Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $75,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $306,169,268
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $50,228,264
      • Jul 7, 1996
    • Gross worldwide
      • $817,400,891
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 25 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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