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Ronin

  • 19981998
  • K-16K-16
  • 2h 2min
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
178K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,659
873
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Robert De Niro in Ronin (1998)
Home Video Trailer from MGM Home Entertainment
Play trailer2:24
1 Video
99+ Photos
ActionCrimeThriller

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

IMDb RATING
7.3/10
178K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,659
873
  • Director
    • John Frankenheimer
  • Writers
    • J.D. Zeik(story)
    • David Mamet(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Robert De Niro
    • Jean Reno
    • Natascha McElhone
Top credits
  • Director
    • John Frankenheimer
  • Writers
    • J.D. Zeik(story)
    • David Mamet(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Robert De Niro
    • Jean Reno
    • Natascha McElhone
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 646User reviews
    • 147Critic reviews
    • 67Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 4 nominations

    Videos1

    Ronin
    Trailer 2:24
    Ronin

    Photos166

    Natascha McElhone in Ronin (1998)
    Robert De Niro and Natascha McElhone in Ronin (1998)
    Robert De Niro, Jean Reno, Natascha McElhone, and Stellan Skarsgård in Ronin (1998)
    Robert De Niro and Jean Reno in Ronin (1998)
    Jean Reno in Ronin (1998)
    Robert De Niro in Ronin (1998)
    Robert De Niro and Jean Reno in Ronin (1998)
    Jean Reno in Ronin (1998)
    Robert De Niro, Jean Reno, Natascha McElhone, and Stellan Skarsgård in Ronin (1998)
    Natascha McElhone in Ronin (1998)
    Robert De Niro and Natascha McElhone in Ronin (1998)
    Stellan Skarsgård in Ronin (1998)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Robert De Niro
    Robert De Niro
    • Samas Sam
    Jean Reno
    Jean Reno
    • Vincentas Vincent
    Natascha McElhone
    Natascha McElhone
    • Deirdreas Deirdre
    Stellan Skarsgård
    Stellan Skarsgård
    • Gregoras Gregor
    Sean Bean
    Sean Bean
    • Spenceas Spence
    Skipp Sudduth
    Skipp Sudduth
    • Larryas Larry
    Michael Lonsdale
    Michael Lonsdale
    • Jean-Pierreas Jean-Pierre
    Jan Tríska
    Jan Tríska
    • Dapper Gentas Dapper Gent
    Jonathan Pryce
    Jonathan Pryce
    • Seamus O'Rourkeas Seamus O'Rourke
    Ron Perkins
    Ron Perkins
    • Man with the Newspaperas Man with the Newspaper
    Féodor Atkine
    Féodor Atkine
    • Mikhias Mikhi
    Katarina Witt
    Katarina Witt
    • Natacha Kirilovaas Natacha Kirilova
    Bernard Bloch
    • Sergias Sergi
    Dominic Gugliametti
    • Clown Ice Skateras Clown Ice Skater
    Alan Beckworth
    • Clown Ice Skateras Clown Ice Skater
    Daniel Breton
    • Sergi's Accompliceas Sergi's Accomplice
    Amidou
    Amidou
    • Man at Exchangeas Man at Exchange
    • (as Amidou Ben Messaoud)
    Tolsty
    • The 'Boss'as The 'Boss'
    • Director
      • John Frankenheimer
    • Writers
      • J.D. Zeik(story) (screenplay)
      • David Mamet(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit
    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... —Julian Reischl <julianreischl@mac.com>
    original storyronincasesuitcaserussian201 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Your ally could become your enemy
    • Genres
      • Action
      • Crime
      • Thriller
    • Certificate
      • K-16
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      A total of 80 automobiles were destroyed during filming.
    • Goofs
      Jean-Pierre claims that "All 47 of them committed Seppuku," but in fact only 46 did. The 47th Ronin, Terasaka Kichiemon, had a different mission. He was later pardoned. When he died at 87, he was buried along with the other 46.
    • Quotes

      Sam: Whenever there is any doubt, there is no doubt. That's the first thing they teach you.

      Vincent: Who taught you?

      Sam: I don't remember. That's the second thing they teach you.

    • 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!)
    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert & the Movies: Ronin/Pecker/Clay Pigeons/Urban Legend/Shadrach (1998)
    • Soundtracks
      Time To Say Goodbye (Con te partirò)
      Composed by Francesco Sartori

      Lyrics by Lucio Quarantotto

      English lyrics by Frank Peterson

      Performed by Sarah Brightman featuring Andrea Bocelli

      Courtesy of Angel Records

      Under license from EMI Music Special Markets

    User reviews646

    Review
    Top review
    better the second time
    For its genre, Ronin is a good film. I don't think it's quite fair to criticize it for what it is not, such as saying that it's a poor film because there are movies out there with better car chases.

    I saw it at the theatre and thought it was OK, saw it on video expecting to be more disappointed, and actually liked it better the second time.

    I don't think the plot is as difficult to understand as some might claim. I had no trouble following it. Whether or not it's credible, well, how many action films are? It's credible enough for me to watch it and not say is this ever stupid. That's about all that I look for in an action film, sorry to say.

    I actually enjoyed the dialogue for the most part. DeNiro and Reno in particular were solid. The film did begin to fade towards the end, especially once everyone was in the skating arena. I appreciated Frankenheimer showing as much of France as he did. That was a bonus.

    So, yes, I could point to a number of flaws in Ronin. But, perhaps because of my low esteem for action films overall, I would say it's a worthwhile watch if you're an action fan, or a DeNiro fan, as I am.
    helpful•8
    3
    • MrsRainbow
    • Mar 21, 1999

    FAQ18

    • What is 'Ronin' about?
    • Is 'Ronin' based on a book?
    • What exactly is a "ronin"?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 8, 1999 (Finland)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • United States
      • France
    • Languages
      • English
      • French
      • Russian
    • Also known as
      • Sát Thủ Tự Do
    • Filming locations
      • Blue Sky, Rue des Trois-Frères, Paris 18, Paris, France
    • Production companies
      • FGM Entertainment
      • United Artists
      • United Artists
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $55,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $41,616,262
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $12,697,641
      • Sep 27, 1998
    • Gross worldwide
      • $41,616,262
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 2h 2min
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • DTS-Stereo
      • DTS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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