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IMDbPro

Dark City

  • 19981998
  • RR
  • 1h 40m
IMDb RATING
7.6/10
199K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,295
94
Rufus Sewell in Dark City (1998)
Trailer for Dark City
Play trailer2:14
2 Videos
99+ Photos
  • Fantasy
  • Mystery
  • Sci-Fi
A man struggles with memories of his past, which include a wife he cannot remember and a nightmarish world no one else ever seems to wake up from.A man struggles with memories of his past, which include a wife he cannot remember and a nightmarish world no one else ever seems to wake up from.A man struggles with memories of his past, which include a wife he cannot remember and a nightmarish world no one else ever seems to wake up from.
IMDb RATING
7.6/10
199K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,295
94
  • Director
    • Alex Proyas
  • Writers
    • Alex Proyas(story)
    • Lem Dobbs(screenplay)
    • David S. Goyer(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Rufus Sewell
    • Kiefer Sutherland
    • Jennifer Connelly
Top credits
  • Director
    • Alex Proyas
  • Writers
    • Alex Proyas(story)
    • Lem Dobbs(screenplay)
    • David S. Goyer(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Rufus Sewell
    • Kiefer Sutherland
    • Jennifer Connelly
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 746User reviews
    • 206Critic reviews
    • 66Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 12 wins & 19 nominations

    Videos2

    Dark City
    Trailer 2:14
    Dark City
    Dark City
    Trailer 0:31
    Dark City

    Photos119

    Jennifer Connelly and Richard O'Brien in Dark City (1998)
    Kiefer Sutherland in Dark City (1998)
    Dark City (1998)
    Kiefer Sutherland in Dark City (1998)
    William Hurt in Dark City (1998)
    Rufus Sewell in Dark City (1998)
    Kiefer Sutherland and Richard O'Brien in Dark City (1998)
    Kiefer Sutherland in Dark City (1998)
    Ian Richardson and Paul Livingston in Dark City (1998)
    Dark City (1998)
    William Hurt in Dark City (1998)
    Rufus Sewell in Dark City (1998)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Rufus Sewell
    Rufus Sewell
    • John Murdochas John Murdoch
    Kiefer Sutherland
    Kiefer Sutherland
    • Dr Daniel Schreberas Dr Daniel Schreber
    Jennifer Connelly
    Jennifer Connelly
    • Emma Murdochas Emma Murdoch
    William Hurt
    William Hurt
    • Inspector Frank Bumsteadas Inspector Frank Bumstead
    Richard O'Brien
    Richard O'Brien
    • Mr Handas Mr Hand
    Ian Richardson
    Ian Richardson
    • Mr Bookas Mr Book
    Bruce Spence
    Bruce Spence
    • Mr Wallas Mr Wall
    Colin Friels
    Colin Friels
    • Walenskias Walenski
    John Bluthal
    John Bluthal
    • Karl Harrisas Karl Harris
    Mitchell Butel
    Mitchell Butel
    • Husselbeckas Husselbeck
    Melissa George
    Melissa George
    • Mayas May
    Frank Gallacher
    • Strombolias Stromboli
    Ritchie Singer
    Ritchie Singer
    • Hotel Manageras Hotel Manager…
    Justin Monjo
    • Taxi Driveras Taxi Driver
    Nicholas Bell
    Nicholas Bell
    • Mr Rainas Mr Rain
    Satya Gumbert
    • Mr Sleepas Mr Sleep
    Noah Gumbert
    • Mr Sleep Filming Doubleas Mr Sleep Filming Double
    Frederick Miragliotta
    Frederick Miragliotta
    • Mr Quickas Mr Quick
    • Director
      • Alex Proyas
    • Writers
      • Alex Proyas(story) (screenplay)
      • Lem Dobbs(screenplay)
      • David S. Goyer(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      A number of pieces of the set, including those used for the rooftop chase, were sold to the production of The Matrix (1999) at the end of shooting.
    • Goofs
      (at around 1h 5 mins) When the glass partition is broken, a second sheet of glass is used to protect Jennifer Connelly. At slow speeds, John's hand is clearly visible reflected in this safety glass.
    • Quotes

      Dr. Schreber: I call them the Strangers. They abducted us and brought us here. This city, everyone in it... is their experiment. They mix and match our memories as they see fit, trying to divine what makes us unique. One day, a man might be an inspector. The next, someone entirely different. When they want to study a murderer, for instance, they simply imprint one of their citizens with a new personality. Arrange a family for him, friends, an entire history... even a lost wallet. Then they observe the results. Will a man, given the history of a killer, continue in that vein? Or are we, in fact, more than the sum of our memories?

    • Alternate versions
      The director's cut omits the opening monologue.
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Palmetto/Senseless/Dangerous Beauty/Mrs. Dalloway/Nil by Mouth/Live Flesh (1998)
    • Soundtracks
      Le Chale Bleu
      Written by François Perchat (as Francois Perchat)

      Sung by Anita Kelsey

    User reviews746

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Confusing at first but ultimately fantastic
    John Mudoch (Rufus Sewell) awakes in a bathtub completely naked, with blood dripping down his forehead, unaware of what is happening, he remembers nothing. In the next room he finds a dead body and a blood stained knife. What follows is john trying to piece together what is happening to him and what he unravels is one of the greatest science fiction stories ever put to film. There is a group called the strangers who have an ability to physically change surroundings of them and the people living in the city, they call this ability "tuning". They soon discover that john also has this ability, which is impossible as it would take a normal human a few lifetimes to gain the ability to "tune". Thats the most i can tell without giving away major plot points.

    The movie is set in a 1940ish looking city where detectives are hunting John, along with the mysterious strangers. The tall buildings and the knowledge that the strangers could be anywhere in the city gives a menacing ambiance, heightening the tension in the movie and giving off a great effect on the viewer. The special effects in Dark City are stunning and realistic, especially when certain characters use "tuning".

    Rufus Sewell gives a good performance as John Murdoch, though i could'nt help feeling he was holding back somewhat. I could think of a few other actors who could have gave a much better performance but he was generally good.

    Kiefer Sunderland as Dr. Daniel Schreber was very good and seemed to have put all of his effort into his character, its quite an unusual role for Sunderland but he pulls it off pretty well.

    Another performance worth mentioning is Richard O'Brien as Mr Hand, he gives a genuinely creepy performance as one of the main strangers, i thought i would see him and think crystal maze through all of his scenes but he does a pretty good job of playing a convincing character.

    Overall the movie leaves a few unanswered questions, leaving the viewer to conduct their own theories about the outcome of events. I have a good grasp of the story as a whole but some people will find bits and pieces confusing. A great film anyways, i gave it an 8 because it tends to drag in some spots, but the end makes up for all doubts.
    helpful•45
    22
    • Barry_Delaney
    • May 11, 2005

    FAQ9

    • Is 'Dark City' based on a book?
    • What Roman mythological elements are found in the film?
    • How do I solve the "To Shell Beach..." game on the DVD?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 27, 1998 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • Australia
      • United States
    • Official site
      • WarnerBros.com
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Dark Empire
    • Filming locations
      • Museum Underground Station, Hyde Park, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
    • Production companies
      • Mystery Clock Cinema
      • New Line Cinema
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $27,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $14,378,331
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $5,576,953
      • Mar 1, 1998
    • Gross worldwide
      • $27,200,316
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 40 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
      • SDDS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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