Movies / Frantic (1988)

6/10

Runtime: 120 min

Genres: Crime Drama Mystery Thriller

Languages: English French

Countries: France USA


Following the disastrous Pirates (1986), director Roman Polanski got back on creative track with this finely-wrought thriller that, while failing to impress at the box office, was nevertheless his most critically well-received film of the decade. Harrison Ford stars as Richard Walker, an American doctor who has come to Paris, where he's scheduled to deliver a paper to a medical conference. Richard has brought along his wife Sondra (Betty Buckley), because Paris was the site of their honeymoon 20 years earlier. Sondra picks up the wrong suitcase at the airport, which leads to her kidnapping and an ever-more complicated quest that takes Richard into the seedy and dangerous underworld of European drug smuggling and terrorist arms sales. Along the way, he is rebuffed by skeptical officials at the American Embassy and meets Michelle (Emmanuelle Seigner), a sexy courier who agrees to help him in exchange for the money she's owed for trafficking in narcotics. Playing cleverly on American fears about Europe's Byzantine politics and "decadent" society, Frantic received, from many observers, perhaps the greatest compliment possible for a thriller, comparison to the work of Alfred Hitchcock. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi


Directors (1) Credit
Roman Polanski ...
Writers (4) Credit
Gérard Brach (written by)
Jeff Gross uncredited
Robert Towne uncredited and
Roman Polanski (written by) &
Composers (1) Credit
Ennio Morricone ...
Editors (1) Credit
Sam O'Steen ...
Cinematographers (1) Credit
Witold Sobocinski ...
Actors (45) Credit
Alain Doutey Hall Porter
Alan Ladd Bellboy 3
Alexandra Stewart Edie
André Quiqui Blue Parrot Barman (as Andre 'Quiqui')
Artus de Penguern Waiter
Betty Buckley Sondra Walker
Böll Boyer Dede Martin
Bruce Johnson Marine Guard
Claude Doineau U.S. Embassy Clerk
David Huddleston Peter
David Jalil The Bodyguard (as David Jaul)
Djiby Soumare Taxi Driver
Dominique Pinon Wino
Dominique Virton Desk Clerk
Ella Jaroszewicz Restroom Attendant
Emmanuelle Seigner Michelle
Fonky French Family Houseboat band
Gérard Klein Gaillard
Harrison Ford Dr. Richard Walker
Isabelle Soimaud Houseboat Owner (as Isabelle Noah)
Jacques Ciron Le Grand Hotel Manager
Jean-Claude Houbart Dead Driver (as Jean-Claude Houbard)
Jean-Pierre Delage Florist
Jimmie Ray Weeks Shaap
Joëlle Lagneau Florist
John Mahoney U.S. Embassy Official
Laurent Spielvogel Hall Porter
Louise Vincent Tourist
Marc Dudicourt Cafe Owner
Marcel Bluwal Man in Tweed
Michael Morris U.S. Embassy Clerk
Patrice Melennec Hotel Detective Le Grand Hotel
Patrick Floersheim Man in Leather
Raouf Ben Amor Dr. Metlaoui
Richard Dieux Desk Cop
Robert Barr Irwin
Robert Ground U.S. Security Officer
Roch Leibovici Bellboy 2
Roman Polanski Taxi Driver Who Hands Over the Matches to Dr. Walker (uncredited)
Stéphane Copeau Extra (uncredited)
Stéphane D'Audeville Bellboy
Thomas M. Pollard Rastafarian
Tina Sportolaro TWA Clerk
Yorgo Voyagis The Kidnapper
Yves Rénier Inspector