'

A Civil Action

Play trailer

A Civil Action

PG-13

Released Jan 8, 1998

1h 52m

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

64%

Tomatometer

72 Reviews

55%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

In this legal thriller based on a true story, John Travolta stars as Jan Schlichtmann, a tenacious personal-injury attorney whose fierce determination entangles him in a case that threatens to destroy him. The case -- which appears straight forward -- instead evolves into a labyrinthine lawsuit of vast dimensions, in the intelligent, fast-paced drama, "A Civil Action."

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Critics Consensus

Intelligent and unconventional.

Read Critics Reviews

Joe Morgenstern

Wall Street Journal

There's much to enjoy in A Civil Action.

Apr 2, 2019

Full Review

Richard Schickel

TIME Magazine

A richly acted - see especially Robert Duvall's dreamy-fox opposition lawyer - subtly suspenseful, blessedly unmoralizing morality play.

Apr 1, 2019

Full Review

Owen Gleiberman

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: C+

Sep 7, 2011

Full Review

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...engaging subject matter that’s employed to deliberate yet mostly compelling effect...

Rated: 3/4

Jan 3, 2024

Full Review

Common Sense Media Editors

Common Sense Media

Brilliantly understated performances, flashes of wit and a heartbreaking true story aren't quite enough to make this movie memorable.

Rated: 3/5

Dec 14, 2022

Full Review

Catherine Springer

CathsFilmForum.com

A wonderful ride but an ultimately unfulfilling destination.

Rated: 3/5

Jul 26, 2021

Full Review

Read all reviews

Garry A

It started off well. I thought I was going to see a conventional courtroom battle where the defendants win. There was justice in the end but I found no pleasure in the journey there.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/18/25

Full Review

Marcus T

An interesting premise and filled with tension, but ultimately unfulfilling after the long drawn out legal battle. Travolta's character loses his bearings getting so caught up in the case that common sense goes out the window. Good performances by the cast. Robert Duvall was stellar as usual. Being based on a true story makes it more compelling. A variation on the theme of might makes right.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

04/04/24

Full Review

Audience Member

Required reading for Civil Procedure in law school. This is a good movie. I wish such results were more often rendered.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/12/23

Full Review

steve d

There are too many stories just like it and the script did nothing to rise above some of the others.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Robert Duvall gives an amazing performance, as well as Macy, Shaloub, and Ivanek. Travolta is ok. Worth it all to watch Duvall give a masterful performance.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/24/23

Full Review

Audience Member

An exceptionally good blend of an environmental tale and a story of a selfish man becoming a good man.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/20/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Steven Zaillian

Director

John Travolta

Jan Schlichtmann

Robert Duvall

Jerome Facher

Tony Shalhoub

Kevin Conway

William H. Macy

James Gordon

Željko Ivanek

Bill Crowley

The Horse Whisperer

73%

72%

The Horse Whisperer

Watchlist

Quiz Show

97%

87%

Quiz Show

Watchlist

The Legend of Bagger Vance

43%

65%

The Legend of Bagger Vance

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Legend of Bagger Vance

New Port South

0%

51%

New Port South

Watchlist

12 Angry Men

93%

87%

12 Angry Men

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

In this legal thriller based on a true story, John Travolta stars as Jan Schlichtmann, a tenacious personal-injury attorney whose fierce determination entangles him in a case that threatens to destroy him. The case -- which appears straight forward -- instead evolves into a labyrinthine lawsuit of vast dimensions, in the intelligent, fast-paced drama, "A Civil Action."

Director: Steven Zaillian
Producer: Rachel Pfeffer, Robert Redford, Scott Rudin
Screenwriter: Jonathan Harr, Steven Zaillian
Distributor: Buena Vista Pictures
Production Co: Touchstone Pictures, Wildwood Enterprises, Paramount Pictures
Rating: PG-13 (Some Strong Language)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 8, 1998, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 1, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $56.7M
Runtime: 1h 52m
Sound Mix: Dolby SR, DTS, SDDS, Surround, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

Most Popular at Home Now