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The Pledge

  • 20012001
  • RR
  • 2h 4m
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
57K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Jack Nicholson in The Pledge (2001)
Home Video Trailer from Warner Home Video
Play trailer0:31
1 Video
99+ Photos
CrimeDramaMystery
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.
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
57K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Sean Penn
  • Writers
    • Friedrich Dürrenmatt(book)
    • Jerzy Kromolowski(screenplay)
    • Mary Olson-Kromolowski(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Jack Nicholson
    • Benicio Del Toro
    • Patricia Clarkson
Top credits
  • Director
    • Sean Penn
  • Writers
    • Friedrich Dürrenmatt(book)
    • Jerzy Kromolowski(screenplay)
    • Mary Olson-Kromolowski(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Jack Nicholson
    • Benicio Del Toro
    • Patricia Clarkson
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 607User reviews
    • 128Critic reviews
    • 71Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 6 nominations

    Videos1

    The Pledge
    Trailer 0:31
    The Pledge

    Photos143

    Helen Mirren and Jack Nicholson Star
    Vanessa Redgrave and Jack Nicholson star
    Patricia Clarkson, Michael O'Keefe and Jack Nicholson
    Jack Nicholson stars as Detective Jerry Black
    Sam Shepard and Jack Nicholson star
    Jack Nicholson, Aaron Eckhart and Sam Shepard
    Robin Wright Penn and Jack Nicholson star
    Jack Nicholson stars as Detective Jerry Black
    Aaron Eckhart at an event for The Pledge (2001)
    Aaron Eckhart at an event for The Pledge (2001)
    Andrew Stevens at an event for The Pledge (2001)
    Benicio Del Toro at an event for The Pledge (2001)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Jack Nicholson
    Jack Nicholson
    • Jerry Blackas Jerry Black
    Benicio Del Toro
    Benicio Del Toro
    • Toby Jay Wadenahas Toby Jay Wadenah
    Patricia Clarkson
    Patricia Clarkson
    • Margaret Larsenas Margaret Larsen
    Beau Daniels
    Beau Daniels
    • Rudyas Rudy
    Dale Dickey
    Dale Dickey
    • Stromas Strom
    Wendy Donaldson
    • Resort Owneras Resort Owner
    • (as Wendy Morrow Donaldson)
    Adrien Dorval
    Adrien Dorval
    • Sheriffas Sheriff
    • (as P. Adrien Dorval)
    Aaron Eckhart
    Aaron Eckhart
    • Stan Krolakas Stan Krolak
    Shawn Henter
    • Bus Driveras Bus Driver
    Kathy Jensen
    • Store Clerkas Store Clerk
    Taryn Knowles
    • Ginny Larsenas Ginny Larsen
    Nels Lennarson
    Nels Lennarson
    • Hankas Hank
    Costas Mandylor
    Costas Mandylor
    • Monash Deputyas Monash Deputy
    J.J. McColl
    • Real Estate Agentas Real Estate Agent
    Gordon May
    • Criminologist #1as Criminologist #1
    Gardiner Millar
    Gardiner Millar
    • Deputy #3as Deputy #3
    • (as Gardinar Millar)
    Helen Mirren
    Helen Mirren
    • Doctoras Doctor
    Adam Nelson
    Adam Nelson
    • Deputy #1as Deputy #1
    • Director
      • Sean Penn
    • Writers
      • Friedrich Dürrenmatt(book)
      • Jerzy Kromolowski(screenplay)
      • Mary Olson-Kromolowski(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit
    On the night he retires as a Reno, Nevada detective, Jerry Black (Jack Nicholson) pledges to the mother of a murdered girl that he will find the killer. Jerry doesn't believe the Police arrested the right man. He discovers that this is the third incident in the area in the recent past with victims young, blonde, pretty, and small for their ages. So he buys an old gas station in the mountains near the crimes in order to search for a tall man who drives a black station wagon, gives toy porcupines as gifts, and calls himself "the wizard", all clues from a drawing by the dead girl. Jerry's solitary life gives way to friendship with a woman and her small, blonde daughter. Has Jerry neglected something that may prove to be fatal? —<jhailey@hotmail.com>
    policeretired policemanserial killerprivate investigationparanoia142 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • He may have retired, but he's still catching the killer
    • Genres
      • Crime
      • Drama
      • Mystery
      • Thriller
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • Rated R for strong violence and language
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The picture was a passion project for Producer and Director Sean Penn and Jack Nicholson. Unfortunately, the screenplay was turned down by every major studio in Hollywood. Producer Elie Samaha, and his studio Franchise Pictures, who specialized in picking up screenplays in turnaround, quickly pounced on the material and signed up Penn and Nicholson for a reduced fee. The pair agreed, as long as Penn could have complete creative and casting control.
    • Goofs
      This was filmed in British Columbia, which is considerably wetter than the Sierra Nevada, and it shows. The shot of downtown Reno seems to be the only real scene from that region.
    • 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.

    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: The Pledge/The Amati Girls/Snatch/Panic (2001)
    • Soundtracks
      Nwalhulwana
      Written by Humberto Carlos Benefica

      Performed by Orchestra Marrabenta Star de Moçambique

      Courtesy of Piranha Records

      By Arrangement with Piranha Musik Produktion & Verlag AG

    User reviews607

    Review
    Top review
    Not My Cup Of Tea
    I've wanted to see this movie for ages, so was overjoyed to get it on DVD. I've heard nothing but good reviews for it, so I was waiting with baited breath.

    It started off at a slow, moody pace. I didn't have a problem with that. The slowly mounting sense of dread can be as effective as being thrown in the deep end of suspense. Things trudged along at this unhurried pace. I still sat and watched intently. It was just out of being good. I was thinking to myself "Any time now, the real meat of the plot's going to kick in."

    Eventually, things looked like they were going to get interesting, a great story was about to come together by the looks of it. I thought that this was where it would start to get good. Then the credits started to roll up the screen.

    I can see why some people would like this movie, but I for one found it very disappointing. I read that it was "Jack Nicholson's best role in years." They could have got Morgan Freeman, James Cromwell or Martin Sheen to play the same role. It was a generic character that wasn't really testing Nicholson. Sure, he was good in the role, but Jack Nicholson can be good in any role. This was nothing special, and a poor follow-up to his Oscar-winning performance in "As Good As It Gets" which is one of his best roles in years.

    The only consolation I can get is that I didn't waste any money on this: I got it free with "The Shining": truly a fantastic Jack Nicholson movie.
    helpful•14
    9
    • John Doe 316
    • Aug 12, 2002

    FAQ3

    • Is this based on a book?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 19, 2001 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • Canada
    • Official site
      • WarnerBros.com
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Código de honor
    • Filming locations
      • Hope, British Columbia, Canada
    • Production companies
      • Morgan Creek Entertainment
      • Franchise Pictures
      • Clyde Is Hungry Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • 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
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 4 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • DTS
      • Dolby Digital
      • SDDS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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