Ransom (1996)

Multi-millionaire Tom Mullen's son is kidnapped, but after initially agreeing to pay the ransom Mullen then decides to use the ransom money as a bounty.

Director:

Ron Howard

Writers:

Cyril Hume (story), Richard Maibaum (story)

Stars:

Mel Gibson, Gary Sinise, Rene Russo

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 3 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Mel Gibson	...	Tom Mullen
Rene Russo	...	Kate Mullen
Brawley Nolte	...	Sean Mullen
Gary Sinise	...	Det. Jimmy Shaker
Delroy Lindo	...	Agent Lonnie Hawkins
Lili Taylor	...	Maris Conner
Liev Schreiber	...	Clark Barnes
Donnie Wahlberg	...	Cubby Barnes
Evan Handler	...	Miles Roberts
Nancy Ticotin	...	Agent Kimba Welch
Michael Gaston	...	Agent Jack Sickler
Kevin Neil McCready	...	Agent Paul Rhodes
Paul Guilfoyle	...	Wallace
Allen Bernstein	...	Bob Stone
José Zúñiga	...	David Torres (as Jose Zuniga)

Storyline

Tom Mullen is a millionaire, he built his fortune by working hard. Along the way he learned how to play the game. He has a great family. One day his son is kidnapped. He is willing to pay the ransom but decides to call in the FBI, who manages to go into his home secretly. When he goes to make the drop something goes wrong. The kidnapper calls him again and reschedules it. On the way Mullen decides not to go and appears on TV saying that the ransom he was going to give to the kidnapper is now a bounty on the kidnapper.

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Plot Keywords:

ankle holster | united states of america | usa | united states | ransom | 

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Taglines:

Someone is going to pay.

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for graphic, bloody violence and strong language

Did You Know?

Trivia

The Glock 19 used by Gary Sinise has tritium night sights installed on it. The Glock 17 and 19 as well as the Sig P226 DAO with night sights are the 3 handguns NYPD officers can choose from.

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Goofs

Tom leaves the trunk of his Jaguar open when going to the news van to take their keys, and when walking back to the Jaguar the trunk is closed; however, when the shot begins after leaving the van, the jack handle is no longer in his hand, and he is next to the car door, so it can be assumed that he's put the jack handle back in the trunk & closed it before getting to the car door.

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Quotes

Detective Jimmy Shaker: We do what you say, and we go to the bank. Anything goes wrong, you're gonna turn around and I'll be gone. Okay. And if that happens, from this day on, any time your kid leaves this house to go to school, go play, see a friend, to buy a fuckin' comic book, you're gonna have to ask yourself: Is today... Jimmy Shaker day?

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Crazy Credits

The opening Touchstone Pictures logo is in black and white.

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Alternate Versions

The laserdisc contains 18 minutes not seen in the theatres.

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Connections

Features Wheel of Fortune (1983)

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Soundtracks

Rats
Written, Produced, and Performed by Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins
Billy Corgan appears courtesy Virgin Records USA

User Reviews

Great film.

Mel Gibson (Braveheart, Maverick) stars as the rich father of a kidnapped boy, played by Brawley Nolte (Nick Nolte's son). The kidnappers give a ransom of 2 million dollars. Rene Russo (Outbreak, Major League) plays his wife. Delroy Lindo (Clockers, Get Shorty) plays the head FBI agent on the case. Gary Sinise plays a New York cop. Gibson soon starts to doubt the chances of the ransom working, so he changes the ransom to a bounty on the kidnapper's head. The film is well-directed by Ron Howard (Apollo 13, Cocoon). The story line is gripping and well-written. Mel Gibson is excellent as the father. Rene Russo and Gary Sinise are good in their roles. Delroy Lindo delivers the best supporting performance, he plays the agent very convincingly. A suspenseful, entertaining, and overall great film. Rating R: (violence, language)

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 November 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

Ransom

Filming Locations:

Bergen County, New Jersey, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$80,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$34,216,088, 10 November 1996

Gross USA:

$136,492,681

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$309,492,681

Company Credits

Production Co:

Touchstone Pictures, Imagine Entertainment, Ransom Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

121 min 139 min (special edition)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1