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starring: Mel Gibson, Rene Russo, Brawley Nolte, Gary Sinise, Delroy Lindodirected by: Ron Howard
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Binding: VHS Tape
EAN: 9780788804816
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC
ISBN: 0788804812
Label: Walt Disney Video
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Video
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Walt Disney Video
Release Date: November 04, 1997
Running Time: 121 minutes
Sales Rank: 10405
Studio: Walt Disney Video
Theatrical Release Date: November 08, 1996
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Editorial Review:
Amazon.com essential video:
When it comes to ramping up to vein-bursting levels of tormented anxiety, Mel Gibson has a kind of mainstream intensity that makes him perfect for his heroic-father role in director Ron Howard's child-kidnapping thriller. When you think of Ransom, you automatically think of the scene in which Mel reaches his boiling point and yells, 'Give me back my son!' to the kidnapper on the other end of several torturous phone calls. Trapped in the middle of any parent's nightmare, Mel plays a self-made airline mogul whose son (played by Brawley Nolte, son of actor Nick Nolte) is abducted by a close-knit group of uptight kidnappers. But when a king's ransom is demanded for the child's safe return, Mel turns the tables and offers the ransom as reward money for anyone who provides information leading to the kidnappers' arrest. Thus begins a nerve-racking battle of wills and a test of the father's conviction to carry out a plan that could cost his son's life. The boy's mother (played by Rene Russo, reunited with Gibson after Lethal Weapon 3) disapproves of her husband's life-threatening gamble, and a seasoned FBI negotiator (Delroy Lindo) is equally fearful of disaster as the search for the kidnappers intensifies. Through it all, Howard maintains a level of nail-biting tension to match Gibson's desperate ploy, and the plot twists are just clever enough to cancel out the overwrought performances and manipulative screenplay. Ransom may not be as sophisticated as its glossy production design would suggest, but it's a thriller with above-average intelligence and an emotion-driven plot that couldn't be more urgent. Adding to the intensity is a superior supporting cast including Gary Sinise, Lili Taylor, and Liev Schreiber as the kidnappers, who demonstrate that even the tightest scheme can unravel under unexpected stress. Remade from a 1956 film starring Glenn Ford, Ransom is diluted by a few too many subplots, but as a high-stakes game of cat and mouse, it's a slick and satisfying example of Hollywood entertainment. --Jeff Shannon
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating:  - More Meat Than the 1956 Original
The year Mel Gibson was born, Glenn Ford and Donna Reed had the roles of frantic parents dealing with the abduction of their son.
The original 1956 film version of "Ransom" was of its time, complete with docile Bible quoting servants and a mother who, while periodically confrontational with those working on the case, remains upstairs and in bed under sedation for most of the time, and the kidnappers remain unseen.
But this impressive 1996 remake is very much of its time, too, and ... Read More
Rating: - loaded with suspense and tension (4.5/5)
i liked this movie.it has some edge of your seat moments,and great
acting.while the acting is credible,i'm not sure how realistic the
actions of some of the characters are.there is a twist which i figured
out right away,the first time i watched it.i think that's because it
just seemed so obvious.nevertheless,the movie is fun and
thrilling,and action packed right to the end.Mel Gibson puts in a
strong performance as does Gary Sinise.Rene Russo is also good,but has ... Read More
Rating: - Great movie holds up after previous viewings
Ransom rates as one of the best psychological thrillers. Everything meshes: plot, pacing, and acting. Some reviewers believe Mel Gibson overacted, but they forget that his character was a flamboyant airline entrepreneur, so I believe Mel Gibson was on the money. Even on second viewing, the movie was suspenseful, which one cannot say about most movies with surprise plot twists.
Other reviewers whined about the lack of 16:9 support or anamorphic formatting or whatever. I don't think any of ... Read More
Rating: - Good drama
I have been trying to get this on DVD. I have it on VHS, but the tape was starting to dry out. I have always enjoyed Mel Gibson in all his movies. When I first viewed this movie several years ago, the twist in the plot was unexpected. Good writers and directing.
Rating: - WOW DANG ONE OF THE BEST TV DVD-MOVE FOR SHORE EVER DONE
NOW I COULD EASYLY SAY THIS WILL GO DOWN AS ONE OF THE GRATEST MOVE EVER MADE IN THE WORLD THAT IS SO FOR SHORE & THAT IS PUTTING IT LIGHTLY
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