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:

A Ron Howard film

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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

"Good to go" is a military phrase very commonly used by Marines and many police officers who are former Marines.

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Goofs

When Shaker sends a message to Kate, it says, "Mommy, 2:00 AM, Come Alone," but when Kate goes to the church, sunlight is coming in through the windows.

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Quotes

Sean Mullen: [through the loud rock music] Can I have a bar of chocolate?
[sees someone familiar]
Sean Mullen: Hey, I know you.
Maris Conner: [really tough and mean] No, you don't! Don't look at me! You don't know me!
[puts fresh tape over his eyes]
Maris Conner: What? Do you think this isn't happening? What? You think your dad's gonna come in and save you? Is that what you think? Well, he ain't. Nobody's coming. All right? You understand that? Nobody's coming. Because this is it for you.

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

User Reviews

Everything was great. Can't say anything bad about it

Great story and well executed. Acting was all I could expect. Action was great too.

I read someone didn't like the happy ending. At least me, I do like happy endings, or at least feel that everything make sense, or have a reason to tell the story. Was satisfactory ending. All I can ask for.

I try to be very strict on movies. Want realism, action with meaning, interesting stories with good execution, good editing, good effects, good acting, etc. On this case I just can't say anything bad about this movie. Maybe a little sad, but you can expect that from a ransom.

If you want drama and action, you should like it. Maybe not the best movie, but very satisfactory to watch. I watch it 3 times, and still plan watch it again in the future.

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 (DuArt) Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1