A disgruntled security guard holds a school trip group hostage, while a news reporter forms a bond with him.
Director:
Costa-Gavras
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| John Travolta | ... | Sam | |
| Dustin Hoffman | ... | Brackett | |
| Mia Kirshner | ... | Laurie | |
| Alan Alda | ... | Kevin Hollander | |
| Robert Prosky | ... | Lou Potts | |
| Blythe Danner | ... | Mrs. Banks | |
| William Atherton | ... | Dohlen | |
| Ted Levine | ... | Lemke | |
| Tammy Lauren | ... | Miss Rose | |
| William O'Leary | ... | CTN Junior Executive | |
| Raymond J. Barry | ... | Dobbins | |
| Lucinda Jenney | ... | Jenny | |
| Akosua Busia | ... | Diane | |
| Ebbe Roe Smith | ... | Bartholomew | |
 |
Bingwa | ... | Nat Jackson |
Edit
Plot Summary
|
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See All (57) »
Storyline
Sam Baily, upset over losing his job, takes a natural history museum hostage. Max Brackett, journalist, is in the museum when this occurs, and gets the scoop. The story spreads nation wide, and soon it is all anyone talks about. The story itself is the news, not the reason why or the real people behind it. Written by <freckles@vivid.net>
Plot Keywords:
hostage | museum | natural history museum | news reporter | reporter |Taglines:
One man will make a mistake. The other will make it a spectacle. See more »Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
Rated PG-13 for depiction of a hostage situation, including violence and brief language | See all certifications »Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
7 November 1997 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
El cuarto poder See more »Edit
Box Office
Budget:
$50,000,000 (estimated)Opening Weekend USA:
$4,649,742, 9 November 1997, Wide ReleaseGross USA:
$10,556,196, 11 January 1998Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Color:
Color (Technicolor)Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1
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Did You Know?
Trivia
The pastor in the news montage is an actual pastor of the church where the filming took place for his brief interview. The crew was filming, he was watching and was talking with one of the assistant directors, who then invited him to appear in the movie. He had no prior acting experience. See more »Quotes
Lou Potts: Jeez, I sent you to cover a piece of fluff, and you come back with a hostage situation.See more »
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A brilliant examination of our media-driven culture, by a film-maker who has lost none of the passion and intelligence which previously crafted such definitive political thrillers as 'Z' and 'State of siege'. I am staggered that Costa-Gavras could bring this one off while actually working within the American media empire he excoriates!
There's enough stuff here to keep any serious media-studies or political theory courses in seminars and theses for years! I immediately bought a video copy after seeing it - in Glorious SpottiVision - on Britain's quirkily watchable Channel 5; I shall be giving it regular viewings from now on. Few and far between are such examples of intellectually adult and satisfying cinema these days. Truly one to savour, unless you prefer to leave your brains out when watching films.
And Travolta's performance as the wretched ex-guard - a far from simple simpleton - is a revelation: The man is magnificent - Oscar-worthy - the great Hoffman is forced to accept a supporting role!
A great, widely misunderstood film by a true master of cinema.