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Jacob's Ladder
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Jacob's Ladder (1990/I) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 20 | slideshow) Videos (see all 3)
Jacob's Ladder (1990) -- A traumatized Vietnam war veteran finds out that his post-war life isn't what he believes it to be when he's attacked by horned creatures in the subway and his dead son comes to visit him.
Jacob's Ladder (1990) -- CineMagia.ro - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
7.5/10   26,190 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 5% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writer (WGA):
Bruce Joel Rubin (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for Jacob's Ladder on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
2 November 1990 (USA) more
Tagline:
The most frightening thing about Jacob Singer's nightmare is that he isn't dreaming.
Plot:
A traumatized Vietnam war veteran finds out that his post-war life isn't what he believes it to be when he's attacked by horned creatures in the subway and his dead son comes to visit him. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
2 wins more
NewsDesk:
(17 articles)
Stahl, McGowan & Smart Join Wake
 (From EmpireOnline. 21 September 2009, 11:10 PM, PDT)

Lists of Doom Xxv: Evil J of Otep
 (From Fangoria. 16 September 2009, 12:28 AM, PDT)

User Reviews:
A film that sports technicality, a fresh plot, incredible editing and immersive characters more (299 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Tim Robbins ... Jacob Singer
Elizabeth Peña ... Jezzie

Danny Aiello ... Louis

Matt Craven ... Michael
Pruitt Taylor Vince ... Paul

Jason Alexander ... Geary

Patricia Kalember ... Sarah

Eriq La Salle ... Frank

Ving Rhames ... George

Brian Tarantina ... Doug

Anthony Alessandro ... Rod
Brent Hinkley ... Jerry
S. Epatha Merkerson ... Elsa
Suzanne Shepherd ... Hospital Receptionist
Doug Barron ... Group Leader
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Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Dante's Inferno
more
Runtime:
113 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Filming Locations:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
In an ironic reversal, Adrian Lyne turned down directorial duties on The Bonfire of the Vanities (1990) so he could direct Jacob's Ladder. His first choice for the role of Jacob Singer was Tom Hanks, but Hanks turned down the film so he could make The Bonfire of the Vanities (1990). more
Goofs:
Continuity: To match the direction of movement, a shot of the Ford LTD racing around a corner has been flopped, but the license plate, which is now in reverse, is visible. more
Quotes:
Elsa: [reading Jacob's palm] See. According to this, you're already dead.
[laughs]
more
Movie Connections:
Soundtrack:
SONNY BOY more

FAQ

What special features are on the DVD?
What are the deleted scenes on the DVD?
What is the significance of the title?
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124 out of 150 people found the following review useful.
A film that sports technicality, a fresh plot, incredible editing and immersive characters, 3 November 2004
Author: Cubert_99 from United Kingdom

Jacobs Ladder is one of those rare films that throws you and your mind about like a ragdoll before giving you a bitter conclusion that turns everything upside down again. Forget Donnie Darko, that was mere childs play, this film is something else. Jacobs Ladder provides an experience so intimidating, brutal, wonderful and beautiful unparalleled to this day. This is something you have never seen or experienced before in film, and will probably never experience again.

Jacob Singer is a postal worker, who, through the brutal effects of Vietnam, mentally breaks down, and starts seeing demons following him, killing his friends, raping his wife...... Make no mistake, Jacobs Ladder is a grim film but behind its dark mask lies an uplifting message of hope, freedom and mental release. I wont say anymore, because spoiling the plot for you would be extremely horrible of me, who am i to take away the magic of seeing the film from you.

I'm not going to say that this is accessible to everyone, its not in the least. If your favourite film is American Pie than turn away, this is REAL film making. A lot of people will not like this, because they will expect, like with most films, to have all the answers served to them on a plate. Jacobs Ladder requires the viewer to do the thinking, letting them have their own perceptions of the film rather then being fed that of the directors. If you do choose to go on Jacobs journey with him be warned, it wont always be pretty, but you will come out of it gratified that for once in film you have the freedom to think for yourself.

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