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Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Binding: DVD
Brand: Warner Brothers
EAN: 9780790747040
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, Full Screen, Letterboxed, Widescreen, NTSC
ISBN: 0790747049
Label: Warner Bros. Pictures
Manufacturer: Warner Bros. Pictures
Number Of Items: 1
Picture Format: Anamorphic Widescreen
Publisher: Warner Bros. Pictures
Region Code: 1
Release Date: December 14, 1999
Running Time: 118 minutes
Sales Rank: 16162
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures
Theatrical Release Date: November 26, 1986
Editorial Review:
Product Description:
Harrison Ford gives one of his most powerful portrayals as an obsessive inventor whose dream of creating a jungle paradise erodes into a survival-of-the-fittest nightmare. Year: 1986 Director: Peter Weir Starring: Harrison Ford Helen Mirren River PhoenixRunning Time: 119 min.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA Rating: PG UPC: 085393622121
Amazon.com essential video:
A year after his American film debut, Peter Weir reteamed with his Witness star (Harrison Ford) for a tricky adaptation of Paul Theroux's novel of a modern man who takes his family into the jungle. The results are mixed, but the film is galvanized by Ford's atypical performance as inventor/madman Allie Fox. Paul Schrader's script sets up Allie as a man who follows his idea: that America is dying and the real 'four-in-the-morning courage' is found in returning to the essence of life, here the jungles of a fictional Central American country (it was shot in Belize). With his family in tow (including Helen Mirren and River Phoenix), Allie creates a utopia when his inventions create a local sensation, but seedier elements from bandits to evangelicals (led by Andre Gregory) take their toll. Certainly, it's hard to root for a central character who is unpleasant ('a know-it-all who is sometimes right,' as one states), and the film's second half is not as interesting. But Weir's film is logical and true in its progression and, as usual, is beautifully crafted (he also reteams with the cinematographer, editor, and composer of Witness). Ford's rawness is reminiscent of many an actor's foray into the meaty role of an independent film--which this film is certainly not--and, unfortunately, it was not the direction he ultimately pursued. --Doug Thomas
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating: - Incredible performance in a somewhat morose film.
Mosquito Coast, along with Witness and Presumed Innocent, for me cemented Harrison Ford as the greatest actor of my early adult years.
While Witness was universally praised (as it should have been) Mosquito Coast flew under the radar for many, and truly it is a depressing film. Recently I found a copy in the bargain bin at a video store and brought it home, and my wife had no recollection of ever seeing it before. When I found her in the right mood to sit down and pay attention to it, ... Read More
Rating: - Thoughtful script/Powerful performances
This film grabbed my attention immediately and didn't let go until the final scene. The main character, Allie Fox, played brilliantly by Harrison Ford is shown at first to be an eccentric guy who dropped out of Harvard "to get an education." He has a beautiful, intelligent looking wife, played by Helen Mirren who is apparently homeschooling her four kids, and they seem to be living a happy life in the country somewhere. Yes, he's a bit opinionated and is not shy about sharing his worldview, which ... Read More
Rating:  - Ford's Finest Moment
"The Mosquito Coast" is one of the unheralded great films of the Eighties. I read Paul Theroux's novel after seeing the film on video and mesmerizing a book as it was I realized that though not unfilmable it would be difficult to translate to the screen. Director Peter Weir and writer Paul Schrader succeeded. What one would find problematic in the book is the Allie Fox character is a tad unsympathetic. What Harrison Ford has achieved without compromising the character is imbuing Allie with a little ... Read More
Rating: - Wonderful Movie
I saw this movie when it first came out... and it has stuck with me all of these years!!! River Phoenix just getting his feet wet... and Harrison at his most eccentric!!!
Rating:  - Great Acting, Lousy Movie
Although some of the acting is excellent, the movie becomes boring about half way into it. I can't tell you it is a lousy story because I'm not sure that is the problem. I do know the crazy man Ford plays and the whole movie gets a little tedious after he drags his family into the deepest jungle to build a giant ice machine. I have all Ford's movies but this one so I hope that tells you something. I do not recommend you buy this before you rent it.
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