The Man Who Knew Too Little (1997)

Wallace Ritchie is mistaken for a spy and must stop a plot to assassinate international leaders at a banquet.

Director:

Jon Amiel

Writers:

Robert Farrar (novel), Robert Farrar (screenplay)

Stars:

Bill Murray, Joanne Whalley, Peter Gallagher

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Bill Murray	...	Wallace Ritchie
Peter Gallagher	...	James Ritchie
Joanne Whalley	...	Lori
Alfred Molina	...	Boris 'The Butcher' Blavasky
Richard Wilson	...	Sir Roger Daggenhurst
John Standing	...	Gilbert Embleton
Simon Chandler	...	Hawkins
Geraldine James	...	Dr. Ludmilla Kropotkin
Anna Chancellor	...	Barbara Ritchie
Nicholas Woodeson	...	Sergei
Cliff Parisi	...	Uri
John Thomson	...	Dimitri
Janet Henfrey	...	Ms. Goldstein
Terry O'Neill	...	Spenser
Isabel Hernández	...	Consuela (as Isabel Hernandez)

Storyline

An American gets a ticket for an audience participation game in London, then gets involved in a case of mistaken identity. As an international plot unravels around him, he thinks it's all part of the act.

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Plot Keywords:

mistaken identity | animated title sequence | spy spoof | hitman | american in the uk | 

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Taglines:

He's on a mission so secret, even he doesn't know about it.

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for language, innuendo, comic violence and sensuality

Details

Country:

USA Germany

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 November 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

Watch That Man

Filming Locations:

Piccadilly Circus, Piccadilly, London, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$20,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$4,604,819, 16 November 1997, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$13,801,755, 23 January 1998

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros., Regency Enterprises, Polar Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

First cinema film of Eddie Marsan.

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Goofs

In the last scene, a trimaran in the background disappears and reappears several times.

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Quotes

Immigration Officer: How long will you be staying in this country, sir?
Wallace: That's a very good question.
Immigration Officer: Yes, I thought so, too.

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Connections

Referenced in Nostalgia Critic: Space Jam (2008)

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Soundtracks

Coming Home Baby
Written by Bob Dorough (as Robert Dorough) and Ben Tucker
Performed by the Mark Wirtz Orchestra
Copyright of TKO Licensing
Licensed courtesy of RPM Records, Ltd. (U.K.)

User Reviews

A perfect vehicle for Bill Murray

This poorly worded title is a wonderfully absurd farce. London is a perfect backdrop for Bill Murray to perform his shtick as Wallace Ritchie. The supporting cast play to their purposeful stereotypes and most importantly don't get in Murray's way. Peter Gallagher (of 'Orange County' fame) plays a very good straight man as Murray's brother, and Joanne Whalley seems to be playing her part and enjoying watching Murray's performance at the same time. There is a generous supply of double entendres, predictable, but well written and funny. This movie can be enjoyed by families as well as 'adults only'. Don't expect a life changing event, just enjoy a fun movie.