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The Big Blue

Play trailer Poster for The Big Blue PG Released Jan 1, 1988 1h 58m Adventure Action Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
62% Tomatometer 21 Reviews 93% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
Director Luc Besson is famous for his imaginative visual technique and breathtaking action sequences. One of the most stunningly beautiful films ever made, "The Big Blue" features gorgeous underwater photography and spectacular location shooting in the French Antibes, the Greek islands, Peru, and Taormina in Sicily. But it is the emotional intensity of the film experience and mystical themes of the story that have made it a cult phenomenon.
The Big Blue

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Though this movie features beautiful cinematography, it drags on, being way too overblown and melodramatic.

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Critics Reviews

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Mark Sanderson Time Out The first time you see someone plunging into alien blackness is exciting, but the novelty soon wears off. May 30, 2018 Full Review Steve Macfarlane Slant Magazine Besson's deep-diving melodrama stresses its own depth-emotional, artistic, oceanic-while ping-ponging between its two lead frenemies. May 30, 2018 Full Review Kevin Thomas Los Angeles Times Such a total disaster that it would have been an act of kindness for all concerned to have never released it. Rated: 0/5 Oct 16, 2012 Full Review Film4 A hypnotically beautiful and metaphysical delight. Oct 16, 2012 Full Review Cole Smithey ColeSmithey.com One of a kind movie. Rated: 4/5 Nov 6, 2005 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Rated: 3/5 Jun 17, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Steve G Started diving in 1981, and Big Blue became a cult movie for us all. As the Diving Officer I even got the nickname ENZO. It’s just a brilliant film … without all the CGI Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/30/25 Full Review Shana D Beautiful movie for lovers of the ocean. Jean Marc Barr is glorious & Jean Reno is wry and witty which becomes his trademark. The cinematography is excellent. The movie manages to be both amusing and poignant. Rosanna Arquette is the only one who lets the movie down - the connection isn’t there & her performance seems one dimensional. It stands the test of time as a classic pelagic tale of childhood friendship & loss. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/23/25 Full Review Creed S What a wonderful movie m accept Rosana's acting...terrible acting Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/02/24 Full Review Wil L Un film qui date déjà mais pas démodé du tout se voit et se revoit avec plaisir, scénario bien lèché, photographie magnifique et excellente musique pour rythmer ou calmer l'ambiance. A recommander les yeux fermés. Un classique Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/24/24 Full Review Gary L I saw this movie when it was initially released. Cinematically it was something to behold on a big screen. The story is a little uneven, but the characters are entertaining, and the story is thought provoking. Jean Reno is particularly good. Jean-Marc Barr's character always left me with a sense of wonder. It's not paced like today's movies, but it's well worth your time. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/23/24 Full Review Aender S This film encapsulates the claustrophobia so deep under the sea and its potential to be an escape from life. All presented with beautiful, mostly marine shots and most music played with some level of reverberation, making the viewer few like being in a concert hall. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 04/16/24 Full Review Read all reviews
The Big Blue

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Cast & Crew

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Luc Besson

Director

Rosanna Arquette

Johanna

Jean-Marc Barr

Jacques Mayol

Jean Reno

Enzo Molinari

Paul Shenar

Dr. Laurence

Griffin Dunne

Duffy
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The Big Blue

The Big Blue (1988) The Big Blue (1988) Jean Reno and Rosanna Arquette in a film by Luc Besson. Jean-Marc Barr and Rosanna Arquette in a film by Luc Besson. Jean-Marc Barr in a film by Luc Besson, also starring Rosanna Arquette and Jean Reno. Jean-Marc Barr in a film by Luc Besson in The Big Blue, also starring Rosanna Arquette and Jean Reno. Director Luc Besson. The Big Blue (1988) The Big Blue (1988) The Big Blue (1988) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Director Luc Besson is famous for his imaginative visual technique and breathtaking action sequences. One of the most stunningly beautiful films ever made, "The Big Blue" features gorgeous underwater photography and spectacular location shooting in the French Antibes, the Greek islands, Peru, and Taormina in Sicily. But it is the emotional intensity of the film experience and mystical themes of the story that have made it a cult phenomenon.
Director
Luc Besson
Producer
Patrice Ledoux
Screenwriter
Luc Besson, Luc Besson, Robert Garland, Marilyn Goldin, Jacques Mayol, Marc Perrier
Distributor
Columbia Pictures
Production Co
Gaumont, Les Films du Loup
Rating
PG
Genre
Adventure, Action, Drama
Original Language
French (France)
Release Date (Theaters)
Jan 1, 1988, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 17, 2018
Box Office (Gross USA)
$2.9M
Runtime
1h 58m
Sound Mix
Surround, Magnetic Stereo 6 Track
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)