A retiring police detective pledges to catch the killer of a young child.A retiring police detective pledges to catch the killer of a young child.A retiring police detective pledges to catch the killer of a young child.
- Director
- Writers
- Stars
- Awards
- 1 win & 6 nominations total
Wendy Donaldson
- Resort Owner
- (as Wendy Morrow Donaldson)
Adrien Dorval
- Sheriff
- (as P. Adrien Dorval)
Gardiner Millar
- Deputy #3
- (as Gardinar Millar)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Featured review
Faithful to the book in most regards, the film is excellent, and Nicholson's performance is beyond reproach. While the denouement may have had issues (not with the point or the meaning, but rather the delivery), the film is still outstanding.
Nicholson's relationship with the girl (he is beautiful as an aged father) and his inexorable obsession with the murderer are perfect in the film. Sadly, Penn's pacing is inconsistent, as is the sense of "detective" that Duerenmatt was careful to give his novel: the film's heartbeat ranges from driving to rambling, and most thematically appropriate may have been a measured beat which is lacking here.
Nonetheless, the film is gripping, and captures the point, spirit and feel of the novel perfectly. It may not pull off the trick of being both faithful and profitable, but the film is true, and the acting impeccable.
Nicholson's relationship with the girl (he is beautiful as an aged father) and his inexorable obsession with the murderer are perfect in the film. Sadly, Penn's pacing is inconsistent, as is the sense of "detective" that Duerenmatt was careful to give his novel: the film's heartbeat ranges from driving to rambling, and most thematically appropriate may have been a measured beat which is lacking here.
Nonetheless, the film is gripping, and captures the point, spirit and feel of the novel perfectly. It may not pull off the trick of being both faithful and profitable, but the film is true, and the acting impeccable.
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaMickey Rourke was attempting a comeback from his self-imposed exile to professional boxing. He was also broke. Because of his wild reputation, studios were reluctant to cast him, and he was relegated to B-Grade action movies that went straight to video. Sean Penn was a big fan of Rourke, and he insisted on casting him in a small but pivotal scene as the grieving father of a murdered child. After this small part, Rourke began to get offered larger roles with bigger studios.
- GoofsAs Jerry drives his SUV through the field and fences to the church, the brush guards on the front of the vehicle disappear and reappear.
- Quotes
Duane Larsen: I want to see my daughter.
Jerry Black: I don't think that would be a good idea.
Duane Larsen: WHY WOULDN'T THAT BE A GOOD IDEA?
Jerry Black: Because we hardly dared to look ourselves.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Siskel & Ebert: The Pledge/The Amati Girls/Snatch/Panic (2001)
- SoundtracksNwalhulwana
Written by Humberto Carlos Benefica
Performed by Orchestra Marrabenta Star de Moçambique
Courtesy of Piranha Records
By Arrangement with Piranha Musik Produktion & Verlag AG
- How long is The Pledge?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Official site
- Language
- Also known as
- Asesino oculto
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $35,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $19,733,089
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $5,765,347
- Jan 21, 2001
- Gross worldwide
- $29,419,291
- Runtime2 hours 4 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.39 : 1
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