The Edge (1997)

An intellectual billionaire and two lesser men struggle to band together and survive after getting stranded in the Alaskan wilderness with a blood-thirsty Kodiak Bear hunting them down.

Director:

Lee Tamahori

Writer:

David Mamet

Stars:

Anthony Hopkins, Alec Baldwin, Elle Macpherson

3 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Anthony Hopkins	...	Charles Morse
Alec Baldwin	...	Robert Green
Elle Macpherson	...	Mickey Morse
Harold Perrineau	...	Stephen
Bart the Bear	...	The Bear
L.Q. Jones	...	Styles
Kathleen Wilhoite	...	Ginny
David Lindstedt	...	James
Mark Kiely	...	Mechanic
Eli Gabay	...	Jet Pilot
Larry Musser	...	Amphibian Pilot
Brian Arnold	...	Reporter
Bob Boyd	...	Reporter
Kelsa Kinsly	...	Reporter
Gordon Tootoosis	...	Jack Hawk

Storyline

A model has her rich, much older husband come with her to a photo shoot. But when their plane crashes in the middle of nowhere, a strong mind game erupts between the clever husband and the jealous young photographer as they try to get back to civilization.

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Plot Keywords:

bear | wilderness | crash | survival tactics | billionaire | 

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Taglines:

They Were Fighting Over A Woman When The Plane Went Down. Now, Their Only Chance For Survival Is Each Other.

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and some adventure gore/violence

Details

Official Sites:

Fox

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 September 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

Bookworm

Filming Locations:

Yoho National Park, British Columbia, Canada

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$7,733,445, 28 September 1997, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$27,779,888, 21 December 1997

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$6,300,000, 22 February 1998

Company Credits

Production Co:

Art Linson Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

117 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

After reaching Jack Hawk's (Gordon Tootoosis') empty cabin, and after convincing Morse (Sir Anthony Hopkins) to fly further to Big Bass Lake in search of Hawk, Green (Alec Baldwin) exclaims elatedly, "There's the spirit that beat the Japanese!" Alec Baldwin played Lieutenant Colonel James Doolittle, who planned and led the counter-strike against the Japanese in Pearl Harbor (2001).

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Goofs

When Morse and Styles are talking in the cabin, Morse is seen walking away with Styles. In the next shot, Morse isn't seen; instead his wife, Mickey, is walking away with Styles.

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Quotes

[after successfully fighting a bear]
Charles Morse: For all my life, I've have wanted to do something that was, um, that was unequivocal.
Robert Green: Well, Charlie, I certainly think this qualifies.
Charles Morse: Or something.
Robert Green: See, Charles, that's why they call it personal growth. A month ago, old Smokey here would've reared up, you probably would've called your lawyer!
Charles Morse: Nah, I wouldn't do that to an animal.

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Crazy Credits

Just before the end credits start rolling, a caption appears on the screen: "Twentieth Century Fox and the producer wish to thank Bart the Bear and his trainer Doug Seus, for their contribution to this film."

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Connections

Referenced in Gloria (1999)

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Soundtracks

Happy Birthday
Written by Mildred J. Hill and Patty S. Hill

User Reviews

One of the most under-rated movies made

I first saw this movie in 97 when it first came out.I had barely heard of Baldwin,Hopkins or Perrineau.It turned out to be one of those movies I sat on the "edge" of my seat and was stunned by the ending.I sat there,mouth agape.I found I had a deep respect for all three actors.This movie,in every discernible way,is a masterpiece.The cinematography is breathtaking.The musical score is one of the most beautiful themes I have ever heard.The plot is smooth and the acting superb.I had heard of Baldwin but had not thought he was a great actor until seeing The Edge.Hopkins has made some great movies but this one..well it my personal favorite.The subtleties are numerous,the suspense captivating and the message is profound.The bear is without a doubt frightening and primal.This movie evoked emotions in me that were also primal.And the ending? It is the best ending to any movie I have ever seen.Perhaps you might have to appreciate the complexities of human nature as well as the action sequences in The Edge to get the most out of the viewing experience.It truly is the best of both worlds.