Bringing Out the Dead (1999)

Haunted by the patients he failed to save, an extremely burned-out Manhattan ambulance paramedic fights to maintain his sanity over three fraught and turbulent nights.

Director:

Martin Scorsese

Writers:

Joe Connelly (novel), Paul Schrader (screenplay)

Stars:

Nicolas Cage, Patricia Arquette, John Goodman

2 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Nicolas Cage	...	Frank Pierce
Patricia Arquette	...	Mary Burke
John Goodman	...	Larry
Ving Rhames	...	Marcus
Tom Sizemore	...	Tom Wolls
Marc Anthony	...	Noel
Mary Beth Hurt	...	Nurse Constance
Cliff Curtis	...	Cy Coates
Nestor Serrano	...	Dr. Hazmat
Aida Turturro	...	Nurse Crupp
Sonja Sohn	...	Kanita
Cynthia Roman	...	Rose
Afemo Omilami	...	Griss
Cullen O. Johnson	...	Mr. Burke (as Cullen Oliver Johnson)
Arthur J. Nascarella	...	Captain Barney (as Arthur Nascarella)

Storyline

An Easter story. Frank is a Manhattan medic, working graveyard in a two-man ambulance team. He's burned out, exhausted, seeing ghosts, especially a young woman he failed to save six months' before, and no longer able to save people: he brings in the dead. We follow him for three nights, each with a different partner: Larry, who thinks about dinner, Marcus, who looks to Jesus, and Tom, who wallops people when work is slow. Frank befriends the daughter of a heart victim he brings in; she's Mary, an ex-junkie, angry at her father but now hoping he'll live. Frank tries to get fired, tries to quit, and keeps coming back, to work and to Mary, in need of his own rebirth.

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Plot Keywords:

ghost | paramedic | ambulance | rescue | hell | 

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Taglines:

From the Director of Taxi Driver

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Genres:

Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for gritty violent content, drug use and language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 October 1999 (USA)

Also Known As:

Vidas al límite

Filming Locations:

Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$55,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$6,193,052, 24 October 1999, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$16,640,210, 9 January 2000

Company Credits

Production Co:

De Fina-Cappa,Paramount Pictures,Touchstone Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

121 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Producer Scott Rudin acquired the rights to the novel Bringing out the Dead and immediately had Martin Scorsese in mind to direct the film adaptation.

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Goofs

After Frank finishes talking to Griss, a woman approaches Griss speaking Spanish. The next shot through the E.R. entrance shows Griss alone.

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Quotes

Dr. Hazmat: I thought you said this guy was dead.
Frank Pierce: He got better.

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Connections

References 8MM (1999)

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Soundtracks

Le Sacre du Pintemps/The Rite of Spring
Written by Igor Stravinsky
Performed by New York Philharmonic (as The New York Philharmonic)
Conducted by Leonard Bernstein
Courtesy of Sony Classical
By Arrangement with Sony Music Licensing

User Reviews

Excellent movie

As an emergency physician and film buff, this film is one of my favorites. Martin Scorcese utilized excellent film technique with his inventive camera shots integrated with a dark comedic plot (check out the triage nurse) to create a bright modern cinema masterpiece with rich characters, comedic irony, and a sense of perseverance against overwhelming angst and the dark underbelly of modern urban life. This film is a classic on a par with Harold and Maude, and the King of Hearts. Three thumbs up- (I'm dysmorphic)... In any case, this movie deserves to be watched by anyone involved in healthcare and anyone involved in EMS activities.