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A freelancing former U.S. Intelligence Agent tries to track down a mysterious package that is wanted by the Irish and the Russians.

Director:

John Frankenheimer

Writers:

J.D. Zeik (story), J.D. Zeik (screenplay) | 1 more credit »
Reviews
Popularity
2,954 ( 314)
1 win & 4 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robert De Niro ... Sam
Jean Reno ... Vincent
Natascha McElhone ... Deirdre
Stellan Skarsgård ... Gregor
Sean Bean ... Spence
Skipp Sudduth ... Larry
Michael Lonsdale ... Jean-Pierre
Jan Tríska ... Dapper Gent
Jonathan Pryce ... Seamus O'Rourke
Ron Perkins ... Man with the Newspaper
Féodor Atkine ... Mikhi
Katarina Witt ... Natacha Kirilova
Bernard Bloch Bernard Bloch ... Sergi
Dominic Gugliametti Dominic Gugliametti ... Clown Ice Skater
Alan Beckworth Alan Beckworth ... Clown Ice Skater
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Storyline

Ronin is the Japanese word used for Samurai without a master. In this case, the Ronin are outcast specialists of every kind, whose services are available to everyone - for money. Dierdre (undoubtedly from Ireland) hires several Ronin to form a team in order to retrieve an important suitcase from a man who is about to sell it to the Russians. After the mission has been completed successfully, the suitcase immediately gets switched by a member of the team who seems to work into his own pocket. The complex net of everyone tricking everyone begins to surface slowly, and deadly... Written by Julian Reischl <julianreischl@mac.com>

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

Loyalty is bought, betrayal is a way of life... See more »

Genres:

Action | Crime | Thriller

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong violence and some language | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The "fish in the barrel" scene was nearly scrapped when filmmakers encountered inconsistent weather over a period of five days. They instead settled for wetting the road and the car to give the impression that it had just rained. Also, even though there was a French by-law forbidding gunfire during photography in the early-morning hours, the authorities gave special exemption to the filmmakers. See more »

Goofs

When Gregor shoots the Dapper Gent, there is a huge spatter of blood on the window of the Jeep. When he parks the Jeep later and is walking away while talking to Mikhi on the phone, the window is completely clean. See more »

Quotes

Vincent: [Gregor has just stolen the case for himself during a shoot-out] Where is Gregor?
Sam: Gregor fucked us!
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Alternate Versions

The print of the opening titles, starting "In Feudal Japan..." before the film title "Ronin" appears on-screen, on all UK DVD releases from the 11th October 2004 release does not have the original large font that exists on the original theatrical print and TV broadcasts. Instead it is much smaller and does not feel correct especially when one knows the movie and is not consistent with the font titles used throughout the film and the end credits. The 2000/2001 UK DVD MGM original 1 disc release, catalogue number 15745DVD (EAN 5050070000207) does oontain the correct font. All subsequent UK media releases do not contain the correct font (including the Definitive Edition in steelbook packaging!) See more »

Connections

Featured in Ronin: In the Ronin Cutting Room (1998) See more »

Soundtracks

Les Anges dans nos campagnes
(uncredited)
Written by Traditional
Performed by Nice Carolers
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User Reviews

 
An exciting film with tour de force performances by De Niro & Jean Reno
23 June 2007 | by Nazi_Fighter_DavidSee all my reviews

The movie begins with a bunch of international mercenaries, five to be exact, gathering in a bistro in Paris… Working only for money, their job was strictly to take intact a metal suitcase from several men—very well armed— who'll be intent on preventing them… No information was given about its contents, value or purpose…

An extraordinary cast of actors forms the group:

Robert De Niro, the ex-CIA agent and expert strategist; Jean Reno, the French mercenary; Stellan Skarsgard, the mysterious computer professional; Sean Bean, the ace field man; and Skipp Sudduth, the specialist in driving getaway cars…

Dierdre (Natascha McElhone) is the icy Irishwoman who explains the mission, but she is not necessarily the one fully in charge… It seems that the 'handler' who pulls the strings is an Irish fugitive called Seamus (Jonathan Pryce).

The film becomes tense and very exciting when one of the five members double-crosses the rest of the team, replacing the suitcase and leaving with the one they got… Here appears a mysterious man— apparently in love with Natacha Kirilova played by Katarina Witt, the East German figure skater, 4-time world champion—interested in the suitcase…

"Ronin" combines exotic European locations with the most sophisticated movie car chase ever filmed on a superhighway when McElhone takes her black BMW through the wrong lanes followed by De Niro in a blue FWD Peugeot…

De Niro is great to watch as the tough Sam, who remains cool regardless of the peril of the operation… Equally not susceptible to alarm are Skarsgard and Reno… Natascha McElhone brings a chilling, glacial quality to the role of the forceful woman not afraid of anything…

Frankenheimer doesn't recapture the intensity he once created in movies like "The Manchurian Candidate," and the "French Connection"


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Frequently Asked Questions

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Details

Country:

UK | USA | France

Language:

English | French | Russian

Release Date:

25 September 1998 (USA) See more »

Also Known As:

Ronin See more »

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Box Office

Budget:

$55,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$12,697,641, 27 September 1998

Gross USA:

$41,616,262

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$41,616,262
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

DTS-Stereo | DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1
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