A Civil Action
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| A Civil Action | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical Poster |
|
| Directed by | Steven Zaillian |
| Produced by | Scott Rudin Steven Zaillian David Wisnievi Robert Redford Rachel Pfeffer David McGiffert Henry J. Golas |
| Written by | Novel: Jonathan Harr (based on a true story) Screenplay: Steven Zaillian |
| Starring | John Travolta Robert Duvall Tony Shalhoub William H. Macy Kathleen Quinlan Bruce Norris John Lithgow James Gandolfini Stephen Fry [ story ] |
| Music by | Danny Elfman |
| Cinematography | Conrad L. Hall |
| Editing by | Wayne Wahrman |
| Distributed by | Touchstone Pictures (USA) Paramount Pictures (non-USA) |
| Release date(s) | 25 December 1998 (USA) |
| Running time | 125 minutes |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $60,000,000 (estimated) |
| IMDb profile | |
A Civil Action is a 1998 film, starring John Travolta (as plaintiff's attorney Jan Schlichtmann) and Robert Duvall, based on the book of the same name by Jonathan Harr. Both the book and the film are based on the real-life case of Anderson v. Cryovac that took place in Woburn, Massachusetts in the 1980s.
The real life case at the heart of the book and film is Anne Anderson, et al., v. Cryovac, Inc., et al.. The first reported decision in the case is at 96 F.R.D. 431 (denial of defendants' motion to dismiss).
Contents |
[edit] Story
When environmental toxins in a small town's drinking supply become linked to a number of deaths of resident children, grieving parents and other alarmed citizens call on a small firm of personal injury lawyers to first investigate, then prosecute those responsible.
John Travolta is a trial attorney who becomes wrapped up in the deaths, knowing his selfless pursuit of justice will cost both his clients and partners.
[edit] Music
The music score was written by Danny Elfman.
Other songs include:
- "There's a Rainbow 'Round my Shoulder"
- "Hard Workin' Man" (featured on the opening credits)
- Written by Jack Nitzsche, Ry Cooder, Paul Schrader
- Performed by Captain Beefheart
- Courtesy of MCA Records; under license from Universal Music Special Markets
- "Little Drummer Boy"
- Written by Katherine Davis, Henry Onorati and Harry Simeone
- Performed by Vienna Boys Choir; London Symphony Orchestra
- Courtesy of Sony Music Special Products, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
- "Take Me To The River"
- Written by Al Green and Mabon Hodges
- Performed by Talking Heads
- Courtesy of Sire Records Company, by arrangement with Warner Special Products and licensed courtesy of EMI Records Ltd.
- Version used is the live version from Stop Making Sense
- "Theme From A Summer Place"
- Written by Max Steiner
[edit] Certification
- MPAA: Rated PG-13 for some strong language (certificate #36309)
- Iceland:L
- Argentina:13
- Australia:M (original rating)/Australia:PG (TV rating)
- Chile:14
- Finland:K-12
- France:U
- Germany:12 (w)
- Norway:7
- Peru:14
- Portugal:M/12
- Spain:T
- Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) /Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud)
- UK:15
- Singapore:PG
[edit] Awards
- Academy Awards, USA
- Nominated: Oscar Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Robert Duvall)
- Best Cinematography (Conrad L. Hall)
- Blockbuster Entertainment Awards
- Nominated: Favorite Actor - Drama (John Travolta)
- Favorite Supporting Actor: Drama (Robert Duvall)
- Boston Society of Film Critics Awards
- Won: BSFC Award Best Supporting Actor (William H. Macy, also for Pleasantville (1998) and Psycho (1998).)
- Tied with Billy Bob Thornton for A Simple Plan (1998).
- Chicago Film Critics Association Awards
- Nominated: CFCA Award Best Supporting Actor (Robert Duvall)
- Florida Film Critics Circle Awards
- Won: FFCC Award Best Supporting Actor (Robert Duvall)
- Golden Globes, USA
- Nominated: Golden Globe Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture (Robert Duvall)
- Political Film Society, USA
- Won: PFS Award Human Rights
- Satellite Awards
- Nominated: Golden Satellite Award Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture - Drama (Robert Duvall)
- Screen Actors Guild Awards
- Won: Actor Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role (Robert Duvall)
- USC Scripter Award
- Won USC Scripter Award (Jonathan Harr (author), Steven Zaillian (screenwriter))
- Writers Guild of America, USA
- Nominated: WGA Award (Screen) Best Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- A Civil Action at the Internet Movie Database
- A Civil Action: Before the book and before the movie (early newspaper articles by reporter Charles C. Ryan)
- Beyond A Civil Action hosted by W. R. Grace & Co.
- In Toxic Tort Litigation, Truth Lies at the Bottom of a Bottomless Pit by Eric Asimow, Picturing Justice: The On-Line Journal of Law & Popular Culture, February 1999
- Anderson v. Beatrice Foods Index and copies of every pleading filed in the Woburn suit, maintained by Florida State University College of Law
