Frantic

Director: Roman Polanski Roman Polanski

Overview

"A fun Roman Polanski (Chinatown, Rosemary's Baby) thriller starring Harrison Ford, Frantic was clearly one of the first DVDs that Warner Brothers ever put on the market. The film not only has no extras, but it's not even widescreen. The full-screen standard transfer looks like the same one used when creating the VHS, with slightly sharper resolution thanks to the DVD technology. The sound in Dolby Surround isn't digital and is only available in English. There are no theatrical trailers, production notes, bios, or interactive screens. Warner Brothers' interest in releasing this disc must have been purely experimental -- testing out the new DVD format with some of its less popular titles."

Product Details

Release Date:	10/20/1998
UPC:	0085391178729
Original Release:	1988
Rating:	R
Source:	STUDIO DISTRIBUTION SERVS LLC
Region Code:	1
Presentation:	[Full Frame]
Sound:	[stereo, Dolby Digital]
Language:	English
Time:	2:00:00
Sales rank:	26,275

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Harrison Ford	dr Richard Walker
Emmanuelle Seigner	Michelle
Betty Buckley	Sondra Walker
John Mahoney	Williams
Yorgo Voyagis	Il rapitore
David Huddleston	Peter
Jacques Ciron	Hotel Manager
Dominique Pinon	Wino
Alexandra Stewart	Edie
Robert Barr	Irwin
Boll Boyer	Dede Martin,Dede Martin
Fonky French Family	Houseboat Band
Djiby Soumare	Taxi Driver
Dominique Virton	Desk Clerk
Louise Vinceni	Tourist
Patrice Melennec	Hotel Detective
Ella Jaroszewicz	Restroom Attendant
Michaël Morris	U.S. Embassy Clerk
Marc Dudicourt	Cafe Owner
Artus de Penguern	Waiter
Richard Dieux	Desk Cop
Stephane D'Audeville	Bellboy
Robert Ground	U.S. Security Officer
Bruce Johnson	Marine Guard
Roch Leibovici	Bellboy
Andre Quiqui	`Blue Parrot' Barman,Blue Parrot Barman
Tina Sportolaro	TWA Clerk
Patrick Floersheim	Man in Leather
Joelle Lagneau	Florist
Marcel Bluwal	Man in Tweed
Isabelle Noah	Houseboat Owner
Jean-Pierre Delage	Florist
Yves Rénier	inspektor
David Jalil	Bodyguard
Gérard Klein	Gaillard
Jean-Claude Houbard	Dead Driver
Raouf Ben Amor	Dr. Metlaoui
Stéphane D'Audeville	Actor
Joëlle Lagneau	Actor
Claude Doineau	U.S. Embassy Clerk
Ennio Morricone	Composer
Alan Ladd	Bellboy 3
Thomas M. Pollard	Rastafarian
Jean-Claude Houbart	Dead Driver
Stéphane Copeau	Extra
Jimmie Ray Weeks	Shaap
Isabelle Soimaud	Houseboat Owner
David Jaul	Bodyguard
Alain Doutey	Actor
Laurent Spielvogel	Actor
Louise Vincent	Actor

Technical Credits

Roman Polanski

Gérard Brach

Robert Towne

Jeff Gross

Roman Polanski	Screenwriter,Director
Gérard Brach	Screenwriter
Vic Armstrong	Stunts
Daniel Breton	Stunts
Tim Hampton	Producer
Remy Julienne	Stunts
Wendy Leech	Stunts
Thom Mount	Producer
Robert Towne	Screenwriter
Jeff Gross	Screenwriter
Frederic Moreau	Special Effects
Jean-François Auger	Sound Effects
Roberto Garzelli	Sound Effects
Jean Goudier	Sound Effects
Dean Humphreys	Sound Effects
Matthieu Imbert	Sound Effects

Editorial Reviews

A product of his exile years in Paris, Roman Polanski's kidnap thriller rests squarely between the qualitative pillars of his classics (Rosemary's Baby and Chinatown) and the abysmal Pirates. Adopting a slow-hand style reminiscent of Hitchcock, Polanski keeps the action riveting and the suspense tight. Harrison Ford gives a strong performance as the nerve-wracked man at the end of his tether, but apart from a few pernicious Parisians, the supporting cast is missing in action. Polanski's eccentric eye and fastidious attention to detail heighten the surreal nature of what is happening to Ford's character. While the look and feel of the film are unparalleled in '80s suspense cinema, Polanski's wandering and incohesive story line detracts from its caliber. While comparisons to Hitchcock may be a bit far-flung for this film, Polanski's homage to the king of suspense is uncanny. The film's disoriented point of view reflects Polanski's feelings of alienation from America and Hollywood, although being out of touch with Hollywood may have also afforded this film its teetering credibility.