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

This was the second film, in which Sir Anthony Hopkins worked, that also featured Bart the Bear. The other being Legends of the Fall (1994).

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Goofs

In a forest of tall trees with no climbing equipment or tools it would have been all but impossible to rig a booby trap, by rope, from high in the trees to swing at the bear.

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Quotes

Ginny: Is that a new watch?
Robert Green: Ya, dual time zones; tells the time in two places.
Ginny: What for?
Robert Green: So if I'm in L.A. and want to know the time in New York I don't have to go through the anguish of adding three.

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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 30 Rock: 100: Part 1 (2011)

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

Way Better Than Jaws

Some reviews refer to this movie as "Jaws With Claws". Perhaps, but the breath taking cinematography and numerous sub plots make this a way better movie. The negative and mediocre reviews (I believe) are the result of armchair survivalists and those that are so saturated with city folk movies that they are practically in culture shock when watching something like this.

I've watched this movie numerous times, and from my perspective, everything is perfect. Introduction - Rising Action - Initial Incident - More Rising Action - Unfolding Sub Plots - 2 Separate Climaxes - Falling Action - Resolution. None of that annoying artistic, trying to be different garbage. Very nicely done.

Music score, directing, and acting are all top notch as well...doesn't get much better than Hopkins and Baldwin. And especially Bart The Bear (RIP). I've watched several documentaries of Bart and his owner Doug Seus. Bart knew when the camera's were rolling and when to turn on the juice in acting ferocious. Nothing scarier than a 1000 pound Kodiak bear stalking you through the woods (wanting to eat you).

No spoilers, highly recommended, one of my all time favorite movies.