Spartan (2004)

The investigation into a kidnapping of the daughter of a high-ranking US government official.

Director:

David Mamet

Writer:

David Mamet

Stars:

Val Kilmer, Derek Luke, William H. Macy

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tia Texada	...	Jackie Black
Derek Luke	...	Curtis
Val Kilmer	...	Scott
Jeremie Campbell	...	Cadre Candidate
Bob Jennings	...	Grace's Aide
Lionel Mark Smith	...	Colonel Blane
Johnny Messner	...	Grace
Chris LaCentra	...	Cpl. Sattler (as Chris J. Lacentra)
Renato Magno	...	Grossler
Mark FitzGerald	...	Training Facility Guard
Tony Mamet	...	Parker
Clark Gregg	...	Miller
Ron Butler	...	Headquarters Agent
Steven Culp	...	Gaines (as Stephen Culp)
Vincent Guastaferro	...	Naylor

Storyline

In the US-government's special ops, Scott is a shooter, not a planner, doing the job without regard to quaint or obsolete convention. When a Harvard undergrad goes missing (the daughter of a US leader), it's Scott who applies the pressure, first to her boyfriend, then to a madam whose cathouse is the initial stop en route to a white slavery auction in Dubai. The abductors may not know the girl's identity, but once they figure it out, she's doomed. Deadly double crosses force Scott to become a planner. Through it all, earnest TV newscasters read the drivel they're handed.

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Plot Keywords:

crying woman | no bra | red dress | white slavery | bordello | 

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Taglines:

The new thriller from David Mamet - writer/director of HEIST

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence and language

Details

Official Sites:

Tri Pictures [Spain] Warner Bros [United States]

Country:

Germany USA

Language:

English Russian Swedish

Release Date:

12 March 2004 (USA)

Also Known As:

Halastamatu

Filming Locations:

Beacon Hill, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$19,250,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$2,011,435, 14 March 2004, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$4,434,432, 22 April 2004

Company Credits

Production Co:

Franchise Pictures,ApolloMedia Distribution,ApolloProMedia GmbH & Co. 1. Filmproduktion KG (I)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min (DVD)

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

At the beginning of the movie when Curtis (Derek Luke) is about to fight in the final selection event, there are three signs on the back wall. The signs read, "These are the precincts of pain, A goddess lives here, Her name is Victory." The character Laura Newton's (Kristen Bell) name is derived from the word Laurus meaning Laurel. Laurel leaves were ancient greco-roman symbols of victory and strength.

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Goofs

Starting at 38:15 into the movie, when Scott shoots the officer escorting the prisoners, you can see a car in the background heading towards the scene. In the next scene, when Scott stands in the middle of the road looking for cars, the car is not present.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Scott: You had your whole life to prepare for this moment. Why aren't you ready?

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Crazy Credits

Bicycle Boy - Camden Munson

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Connections

References House of Games (1987)

User Reviews

excellent

This one better than most of David Mamet's later films and this is just as good as House of Games and Homicide. This movie stars Val Kilmer as a government agent who is called in to help with the search of the president's missing daughter. Val is willing to do just about anything to get her back and the less you know about the plot, the better you're off. I'm surprised that i never even heard of this movie until it came in theaters. I saw no previews for it or any ads anywhere. The first place i heard about was when Val Kilmer was on The Daily Show to promote the movie. I only went to go see it was that it was written and directed by David Mamet. It would be a good thing to not read any reviews before you see it.