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Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Binding: VHS Tape
EAN: 9780767811415
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC
ISBN: 0767811410
Label: Sony Pictures
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Sony Pictures
Release Date: April 20, 1999
Running Time: 110 minutes
Sales Rank: 17338
Studio: Sony Pictures
Theatrical Release Date: April 03, 1998
Editorial Review:
Amazon.com essential video:
Campbell Scott plays a green young technocrat who invents a secret and highly successful high-tech process that, it appears, most of the free world would like to get their hands on. His own company may not be dealing with him fairly, and competitors are lurking around every street corner and kiddie carousel in New York (not to mention Caribbean hideaways) hoping to steal, cajole, or trick him out of the formula. The plot is as full of switchbacks as a mountain highway, and the delights are in watching it unfold around Scott, who is not so much of a naif that he doesn't catch on that not only his formula, but his life, are in dire danger. Steve Martin is consummately assured--and scary as hell--as a wealthy big shot determined to come out on top. David Mamet's script is refreshingly free from his trademark mannerisms; it's his most satisfying film since 1987's House of Games. --Anne Hurley
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating:  - trust no one
If you enjoy movies about bone-deep lies and deception, where you do not know until the very end what really happened (and even then you have some lingering doubts), then you will love this movie. The acting is top-notch and the writing terrific: every line of dialogue is significant, but, of course, you don't know why until much later.
If you liked The Manchurian Candidate (Special Edition), Nine Queens, The Usual Suspects (Special Editon) or Diabolique (Criterion Collection Spine ... Read More
Rating:  - Just when you think you have it all figured out...
About a third of the way into "The Spanish Prisoner," I was beating my head on the sofa and my husband considered turning the movie off. But I am tenacious and wanted to hear it out.
I'm glad I did because there was a smart twist towards the end and you have to look beyond what is obviously going on to figure it out before it happens.
Rating:  - you have to be ready
I wish people would leave Rebecca Pidgeon alone. The Spanish Prisoner was not a vehicle for her talent. Her acting is stylized and somewhat narrow, but she's the best there is at this kind of droll presence...the deadpan delivery, the silent intensity, the understated cleverness. You have to discover what she means... so if you are a viewer who looks at films more than once, who likes to return to characters of a decent plot to study sets, props, costumes (and what they reveal), then see her in Mamet's ... Read More
Rating: - Huge disappointment
This film dealing with industrial espionage (the process involved is a McGuffin, since the movie never tells what is exactly about) starts well. However, as plot twist after plot twist accumulates, our interest wanes, and by the time the movie ends we just don't care anymore about what's going on. There is a final twist that is totally unbelievable since Steve Martin would have to anticipate the way that Campbell Scott would react to every situation. Finally, Campbell Scott and Rebecca Pidgeon might be ... Read More
Rating:  - Homage to Hitchcock
Plenty of other reviews have summarized the plot and voiced concerns about the acting so I won't add to that. The acting isn't perfect, there are some "loose ends" and the dialogue takes some getting used to. But it's a brilliant film in many ways and very entertaining.
This is a fascinating film, despite its flaws. It's a must-see for Hitchcock fans (just like "Dead Again" with Kenneth Branaugh) for all the wonderful Hitchcockian touches Mamet inserts. The music, the camera work, all ... Read More
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