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The Spanish Prisoner

Play trailer Poster for The Spanish Prisoner PG 1998 1h 52m Crime Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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89% Tomatometer 61 Reviews 80% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
Everything changes for rising corporate star Joe Ross (Campbell Scott) when he meets the wealthy and mysterious Jimmy Dell (Steve Martin) at a tropical resort. Dell offers to help Ross protect his new business process invention, but in short order Ross finds himself falsely accused of murder. Working with the FBI and his assistant, Susan Ricci (Rebecca Pidgeon), Ross sets out to prove his innocence and disentangle himself from the diabolical entrapment.
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The Spanish Prisoner

The Spanish Prisoner

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Critics Consensus

The Spanish Prisoner delivers just what fans of writer-director David Mamet expect: a smart, solidly constructed drama that keeps viewers guessing... and entertained along the way.

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Critics Reviews

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Mike Clark USA Today 01/09/2018
3/4
There are enough twists and grown-up intrigue to keep one asking, "Hey, what's going on here?" Go to Full Review Leonard Klady Variety 11/20/2008
David Mamet has a penchant for sleight-of-hand thrillers, and The Spanish Prisoner is his craftiest to date. Go to Full Review Andrew Sarris Observer 04/27/2007
The Spanish Prisoner shares with Glengarry Glen Ross a vision of life as a cosmic con game in which the victimizers feed the fantasies of the victims. Go to Full Review Wesley Lovell Cinema Sight 10/05/2023
3.5/4
“The Spanish Prisoner” is the kind of film that makes you glad you went... Go to Full Review Rob Gonsalves Rob's Movie Vault 09/01/2022
B
I realize this is a different kind of movie, one that demands to be plot-driven, not messy or discursive, but Mamet’s true gifts lie elsewhere. Go to Full Review Michael Clark Epoch Times 07/03/2022
4.5/5
A neo-noir thriller cut from a fine bolt of Hitchcockian gabardine laced with silken Chekhovian thread, “The Spanish Prisoner” gets its title from a passage presented in the third act that Mamet calls “the oldest con in the book.” Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Rafi แก้ว M Nov 13 This is a great movie, that keeps you guessing until the last scene. Steve Martin is a great villain, and the story is convincing and engaging. It's the kind of movie that gets overlooked, possibly because the title makes people think it's about a prison in Spain, but it's far removed from that, being a thrilling story of an honest guy caught in a dangerous web of betrayal. It's complex and enjoyable enough that it bears repeated viewing. See more Jay B Jul 3 This movie was very good, but not great. The main character was likable, the mystery and intrigue were palpable and engaging, and it possessed a classic movie style. I also greatly appreciate how clean and accessible it was to any audience. However, this story was not as believable as I hoped. The scale of the con was greatly and unnecessarily inflated, and some of the particular, individual parts of the scam were simply untenable. See more Larry R Jun 27 This feels and looks like a made for TV movie from years long passed. Simple easy to see through plot, bad lighting, bad sound, bad direction, mediocre acting, lightweight leading man, poor performances throughout. Does Mr. Mamet carry so much weight that the critics just go along with it all? A real stinker. See more Max W Jun 14 A very fun watch. Had me surprised at every twist that came. The end had a little deus ex machina to it, though! See more Alain E @AlainE Apr 20 A tour de force by David Mamet at the peak of his power. If you want to feel paranoid and distrust everyone, this is the movie for you. The levels of deception build a highrise that reaches the sky. Even the title is supposedly explained halfway by the good guys, only the plot of the conspiracy is much more elaborate and the “good guys “ need a lot of polishing. Totally entertaining. See more Kyle J 07/29/2024 Keeps you twisting and turning to the very end. See more Read all reviews
The Spanish Prisoner

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Cast & Crew

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David Mamet

Director

Campbell Scott

Joseph A. "Joe" Ross

Rebecca Pidgeon

Susan Ricci

Steve Martin

Julian "Jimmy" Dell

Ricky Jay

George Lang

Ben Gazzara

Mr. Klein

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The Spanish Prisoner

The Spanish Prisoner (1998) The Spanish Prisoner (1998) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Everything changes for rising corporate star Joe Ross (Campbell Scott) when he meets the wealthy and mysterious Jimmy Dell (Steve Martin) at a tropical resort. Dell offers to help Ross protect his new business process invention, but in short order Ross finds himself falsely accused of murder. Working with the FBI and his assistant, Susan Ricci (Rebecca Pidgeon), Ross sets out to prove his innocence and disentangle himself from the diabolical entrapment.
Director
David Mamet
Producer
Jean Doumanian
Screenwriter
David Mamet
Production Co
Jean Doumanian Productions, Magnolia Films, Jasmine Productions Inc., Sweetland Films
Rating
PG
Genre
Crime, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 22, 2018
Box Office (Gross USA)
$9.6K
Runtime
1h 52m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio
35mm
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