Home
search
more | tips
IMDb > A Civil Action (1998)
A Civil Action
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summaryplot synopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

A Civil Action (1998) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 36 | slideshow) Videos
A Civil Action (1998) -- The families of children who died sue two companies for dumping toxic waste: a tort so expensive to prove, the case could bankrupt their lawyer.

Overview

User Rating:
6.3/10   12,979 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 11% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
Steven Zaillian
Writers (WGA):
Jonathan Harr (book)
Steven Zaillian (screenplay)
Contact:
View company contact information for A Civil Action on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
8 January 1999 (USA) more
Genre:
Drama more
Tagline:
Justice has its price.
Plot:
The families of children who died sue two companies for dumping toxic waste: a tort so expensive to prove, the case could bankrupt their lawyer. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 5 wins & 8 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(16 articles)
Gibson's Payback
 (From Studio Briefing - Film News. 9 February 1999)

Oscar In Love
 (From Studio Briefing - Film News. 9 February 1999)

User Comments:
Travolta shines in well written fare more

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

MPAA:
Rated PG-13 for some strong language.
Runtime:
115 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Colour:
Colour
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Steven Zaillian adapted the screenplay with nobody else but 'Robert Duvall (I)' in mind for the role of Jerome Facher. more
Goofs:
Continuity: At the meeting in the hotel where Jan asks for $300+ million, Cheeseman begins calculating the figures on a pad of paper with his left hand. A cut to an over-the-shoulder shot shows him writing the figures with his right hand. more
Quotes:
Jan Schlichtmann: The odds of a plaintiff's lawyer winning in civil court are two to one against. Think about that for a second. Your odds of surviving a game of Russian roulette are better than winning a case at trial. 12 times better. So why does anyone do it? They don't... more
Movie Connections:
Featured in The 56th Annual Golden Globe Awards (1999) (TV) more
Soundtrack:
Little Drummer Boy more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
10 out of 12 people found the following comment useful:-
Travolta shines in well written fare, 2 January 2001
7/10
Author: Alex Brown (alex_brown@blueyonder.co.uk) from Woking, England

Starting the film as the traditional stereotypical lowlife lawyer, John Travolta is actually superb as his character develops into someone who actually cares about his clients, and about people other than himself.

Robert Duvall is excellent as his opposing counsel, and his character's interplay in the courtroom drama with Travolta is worth seeing the film for alone. Duvall plays quirky characters like few else in modern cinema.

Given the job of prosecuting a tannery over water pollution that has led to the death of many children, this is well written and structured - as well as being brilliantly acted and well directed.

The one complaint I would have is that this petered out a little in the finish, which was perhaps inevitable as it's a true story, and sometimes the climax of real life isn't as good as in fiction.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for A Civil Action (1998)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Do you eat peanut butter? tricksoftrade01
Facher's Tactics to avoid in court exelzior
Legal Malpractice -- Spoiler anfeargal
Why is Jan broke at the end? correo-8
The final scene (***Spoiler alert***) puffin88
Watching this movie in Chemistry. ecwmanbeastss
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Erin Brockovich Michael Clayton Anatomy of a Murder Fracture The Rainmaker
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Drama section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.