8MM (1999)

Director:

Joel Schumacher

Writer (WGA):

Andrew Kevin Walker (written by)

Release Date:

26 February 1999 (USA)

Genre:

Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

You can't prepare for where the truth will take you.

Plot:

A private investigator is hired to discover if a "snuff film" is authentic or not.

Plot Keywords:

Private Eye | Obsession | Hollywood | Surveillance | Snuff Film

Awards:

2 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Nicolas Cage	...	Tom Welles
Joaquin Phoenix	...	Max California
James Gandolfini	...	Eddie Poole
Peter Stormare	...	Dino Velvet
Anthony Heald	...	Daniel Longdale
Chris Bauer	...	George Higgins / Machine
Catherine Keener	...	Amy Welles
Myra Carter	...	Mrs. Christian
Amy Morton	...	Janet Mathews
Jenny Powell	...	Mary Ann Mathews
Anne Gee Byrd	...	Senator Michaelson
Jack Betts	...	Butler
Luis Oropeza	...	Archive Director
Rachel Singer	...	Neighbor
Don Creech	...	Mr. Anderson
Norman Reedus	...	Warren Anderson
Fran Bennett	...	Nun
Wilma Bonet	...	Nun
Luis Saguar	...	Manny
Walter K. Jordan	...	Thug
Norm Compton	...	Thug
Brian Keith Russell	...	Thug
John Robb	...	Porn Dealer
Devan Brown	...	Flea Market Woman
Doris Brent	...	Doreen Higgins
Robert Amico	...	Casting Director
Kiva Dawson	...	Girl In Hall
Eva Minemar	...	Girl In Hall
Rachel Wolfe	...	Girl in Hall (as Rachel Dara Wolfe)
Suzy Nakamura	...	Computer Wizard
Torsten Voges	...	Stick
Tahitia Dean	...	Hollywood Prostitute
Terri Laird	...	Dino's Redhead
Vernon Guichard II	...	Porn Guy
Emily Patrick	...	Porn Girl
Nancy Vee	...	Porno Make-up Artist (as Nancy Lynn Vaughn)
Lisa Vanasco	...	Topless Ticket Taker
Bridgett Vera	...	Ticket Taker
Jennifer Harris	...	Strip Club Dancer
Burton Richards	...	Strip Club Dancer
Jovanna Vitiello	...	Strip Club Dancer
David U. Hodges	...	Surveillance Man
William Lawrence Mack	...	Larry
Lorena Martinez	...	Prostitute
Connie Mercurio	...	Nurse
William Buck	...	Mr. Christian
Kerry Corcoran	...	Cheating Son-in-Law
Mario Ernesto Sánchez	...	Taxi Driver
Claudia Aros	...	Miami Girlfriend
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Bob Clendenin	...	Porn Clerk (uncredited)
Vito D'Amico	...	Rapist (uncredited)
Daniel Dehring	...	Hustler (uncredited)
Gilley Grey	...	Firefighter (uncredited)
Jacklyn Lick	...	Video Girl (uncredited)
Al Quinn	...	Disco Dancer (uncredited)
Kipling Rowe	...	Hooker (uncredited)

Directed by
Joel Schumacher

Writing credits (WGA)
Andrew Kevin Walker		(written by)

Produced by
Joseph M. Caracciolo	....	executive producer (as Joseph M. Caracciolo)
Judy Hofflund	....	producer
Jeff Levine	....	co-producer
Gavin Polone	....	producer
Joel Schumacher	....	producer

Original Music by
Mychael Danna

Cinematography by
Robert Elswit

Film Editing by
Mark Stevens

Casting by
Mali Finn

Production Design by
Gary Wissner

Art Direction by
Gershon Ginsburg

Set Decoration by
Gary Fettis

Costume Design by
Mona May

Makeup Department
Joseph Coscia	....	hair stylist: Mr. Cage (as Joe Coscia)
Linda Grimes	....	makeup artist: New York (as Linda A. Grimes)
Sharon Kalb	....	makeup artist: Miami
Michael Mills	....	makeup artist
Peter Tothpal	....	hair stylist
Anthony Veader	....	hair stylist: New York (as Anthony F. Veader)
Allen Weisinger	....	makeup artist: Mr. Cage
Jay Cannistraci	....	key makeup artist: Miami (uncredited)

Production Management
Joseph M. Caracciolo	....	unit production manager
David J. Grant	....	production supervisor
Cheryl Quarantiello	....	unit production manager (as Cheryl Quarantiello Schnitzler)

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Marlene Arvan	....	second assistant director: New York
Laura Bevis	....	dga trainee
Lisa J. Bloch	....	second second assistant director
Alan Edmisten	....	first assistant director
David Hallinan	....	second assistant director
Jennifer Loeb	....	DGA trainee: New York
Amy Lynn	....	second second assistant director: New York
Eli Richbourg	....	second unit director
Kellie Jo Tackett	....	second second assistant director

Art Department
Chuck Askerneese	....	on-set dresser
Mychael Bates	....	set dresser
Sarah Bullion	....	art department assistant
Philip Canfield	....	lead man
Christopher Carlson	....	assistant decorator
Martin Charles	....	graphic designer
Colin De Rouin	....	set designer
Dale DeStefani	....	general foreman
Peter Eastman	....	art director: New York
Kurt V. Hulett	....	lead man
Jacqueline Jacobson Scarfo	....	set decorator: New York (as Jackie Jacobson)
Kevin Long	....	assistant property master
Masako Masuda	....	set designer
Regina McLarney	....	set decorator: Miami
Luigi Mugavero	....	set dresser
Ron Petagna	....	construction coordinator: New York (as Ronald Petagna)
Damian 'Rocky' Polito	....	set dresser
Luis Russo	....	set designer
John J. Rutchland III	....	construction coordinator (as John J.R. Rutchland III)
Thomas Saccio	....	property master: New York
Andrew M. Siegel	....	assistant property master
Richard Tenewitz	....	construction coordinator
Mark Walbaum	....	assistant art department coordinator
Jason Weil	....	assistant art director
Larry J. White II	....	swing boss
Timothy S. Wiles	....	property master
Walter Zieska	....	propmaker
Tambre Hemstreet	....	art department coordinator (uncredited)

Sound Department
Ron Bartlett	....	sound re-recordist
Willie D. Burton	....	sound
Marc Deschaine	....	adr assistant
Joe Divitale	....	sound effects editor (as Joseph DiVitale)
Gordon Ecker	....	sound effects editor
Nerses Gezalyan	....	foley mixer
Gary A. Hecker	....	foley artist (as Gary Hecker)
Mildred Iatrou	....	dialogue editor
Chris Jenkins	....	sound re-recording mixer
John Leveque	....	supervising sound editor
Marvin E. Lewis	....	boom operator
Trillby Kim Lowe	....	dialogue editor (as Kimberly Lowe Voigt)
Kim Maitland	....	sound recordist: New York
Steve Mann	....	sound effects editor
Anthony Milch	....	sound editor
Anthony Milch	....	sound effects editor (as Anthony R. Milch)
Tom Nelson	....	sound mixer: New York (as Thomas Nelson)
Daniel Rosenblum	....	boom operator: New York
Mike Schmidt	....	boom operator: Florida
Mark Smith	....	sound re-recording mixer
Becky Sullivan	....	supervising adr editor
Shawn Sykora	....	foley editor
Cherie Tamai	....	assistant sound editor
Tim Tuchrello	....	assistant sound editor
Brooke H. Ward	....	assistant sound editor (as Brooke Henderson Ward)
Donald L. Warner Jr.	....	dialogue editor
Aaron D. Weisblatt	....	sound effects editor
Carl D. Ware	....	sound engineer (uncredited?)

Special Effects by
Al Griswold	....	special effects coordinator: New York (as Albert Griswold)
Joseph P. Mercurio	....	special effects assistant
David Peterson	....	special effects supervisor
Dick Wood	....	special effects coordinator (as Richard S. Wood)

Stunts
Bill Anagnos	....	stunts
Frank Ferrara	....	stunts
Ralph Ferrara	....	stunts
Tanner Gill	....	stunt double: James Gandolfini
Tanner Gill	....	stunts
Carrick O'Quinn	....	stunts
John Robotham	....	stunts
Chad Stahelski	....	stunts
Eddie Yansick	....	stunt coordinator
Eddie Yansick	....	stunt double: Mr. Cage

Camera and Electrical Department
Debbie Arrowood	....	assistant camera
Paul C. Babin	....	camera operator (as Paul Babin)
James Barrett	....	electrician
Ben Beaird	....	key grip (as Ben L. Beaird)
Gary A. Beaird	....	dolly grip (as Gary 'Bullet' Beaird Jr.)
Nick Beaird	....	grip
Rick A. Benedetto	....	rigging gaffer
Christos Bitsakos	....	assistant camera
Christos Bitsakos	....	director of photography: second unit
Michael Burke	....	lighting best boy: New York
Brian Callier	....	video playback operator
Patrick Capone	....	camera operator: New York
Howard Davidson	....	grip: New York
Glen Davis	....	best boy
R. Michael De Chellis	....	assistant chief lighting technician
Douglas A. Degrazzio	....	video playback operator (as Doug Degrazzio)
Angelo Di Giacomo	....	first assistant camera: New York (as Angelo Digiacomo)
Russell Engels	....	chief lighting technician: New York (as Russell W. Engels)
Greg Faysash	....	second assistant camera
Kenneth Fundus	....	grip best boy: New York (as Kenneth J. Fundus)
Michael Ginsburg	....	still photographer: New York
Daniel C. Gold	....	camera operator: "a" camera
Raymond Gonzales	....	electrician
Richard Guinness Jr.	....	key grip: New York
Brad Heiner	....	rigging grip
Tony C. Jannelli	....	director of photography: New York second unit (as Anthony Jannelli)
Nils Johnson	....	key video assist operator: New York
Jeff Kunkel	....	dolly grip (as Jeffrey S. Kunkel)
Christine M. Loss	....	still photographer (as Christine Loss)
Earl Perque	....	best boy grip: Miami
James Plannette	....	gaffer
Patrick Quinn	....	assistant camera
Rick Raphael	....	Steadicam operator
Michael G. Riba	....	first assistant camera
Gary Ryan	....	unit gaffer
Andy Shuttleworth	....	Steadicam operator
Jennifer Stuart	....	second assistant camera: New York
Renee Treyball	....	second assistant camera: "a" camera
Martin Weight	....	video assist operator (as Martin R. Weight)
Scott C. Williman	....	lamp operator
Eric Wycoff	....	lighting technician
Susan Gabbay	....	assistant camera (uncredited)
T. Michael McLean	....	first assistant camera: Miami second unit (uncredited)

Casting Department
Judie Fixler	....	extras casting: New York
Terrence Harris	....	casting associate
Bill Marinella	....	extras casting
Emily Schweber	....	casting associate
Maureen Whalen	....	casting assistant

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Ira M. Hammons-Glass	....	costume supervisor
Alan Martin	....	key set costumer
Carlane Passman	....	costume supervisor (as Carlane Passman Little)
Marcia Patten	....	wardrobe supervisor: New York
Kevin Ritter	....	set costumer
Felipe Sanchez	....	costume illustrator
Carolyn Schnitzer	....	set costumer: Miami

Editorial Department
David Broberg	....	first assistant film editor
Mo Henry	....	negative cutter
Scott Janush	....	assistant editor
Gloria Kaiser	....	color timer
Eric Rigney	....	avid technician
Dennis Thorlaksen	....	apprentice editor
Brandon Willenberg	....	assistant editor
Dale Jones	....	avid technician (uncredited)

Music Department
Nicholas Dodd	....	conductor
Nicholas Dodd	....	orchestrator
Brad Haehnel	....	score mixer
Paul Intson	....	musician
Andrew Lockington	....	assistant to composer
Younes Megri	....	composer: additional music
Thomas Milano	....	music editor
Mohamed Nesrate	....	music consultant
John Moses	....	musician (uncredited)

Transportation Department
Gina August	....	driver
Theodor A. Brown	....	transportation captain: New York (as Theodore A. Brown)
J. Armin Garza II	....	driver: camera car
Margo Hunt	....	transportation office coordinator
John Orlebeck	....	transportation captain
David Severin	....	transportation co-captain (as David C. Severin)

Other crew
Barry Barclay	....	dispatcher
Denise Blasor	....	voice replacement artist
Michael Boonstra	....	production office coordinator: New York
Stephen Bures	....	assistant: Mr. Cage
Michael J. Burmeister	....	location manager
Maria K. Chavez	....	location manager
Connie Cordova	....	assistant: Mr. Schumacher
Lisa Davidson	....	assistant production coordinator (as Lisa M. Davidson)
George Davis	....	assistant production coordinator
Dominick Direnzi	....	scenic chargeman: New York (as Dominick Dirienzi)
Susan Dukow	....	production coordinator
Joseph G. Eckardt	....	on-set assistant: Mr.Cage
Joseph G. Eckardt	....	production assistant
Amy Eldridge	....	first assistant accountant: Florida
Andrew George Fink	....	production assistant
Carmine Foresta	....	location manager: New York
Betsy Friedman	....	set staff assistant
Robert 'Rock' Galotti	....	weapons specialist
Juan Goldsmith	....	production assistant
Hal Gross	....	first assistant accountant
Mads Hansen	....	script coordinator
Lucy Herrera	....	assistant accountant
Tom Hogan	....	key assistant location manager
Tobias Jelinek	....	production assistant
Jonathan Jones	....	assistant to producer
Erica Kay	....	assistant production coordinator: New York
Alex Kivlen	....	assistant location manager
Michael LaCorte	....	production assistant
Randy McKenney	....	extras coordinator
Sarah Morse	....	construction accountant
Nancy Mott	....	craft service (as Nancy K. Mott)
Edward Poveda	....	payroll accountant
Michael Randolph	....	craft service
Louis J. Reynolds	....	production assistant
Sharron Reynolds	....	script supervisor (as Sharron Reynolds-Enriquez)
Melvin Robinson	....	production assistant
Vernon Rodriquez	....	parking assistant
Tony Romain	....	production secretary
Laura Sherman	....	location assistant
Caryn Shuken	....	location liaison
Michael Singer	....	publicist
Kirsten Stevens	....	first assistant accountant (as Kirsten A. Stevens)
Shawn Sweeney	....	location manager
Elizabeth Tompkins	....	production accountant (as Elizabeth K. Tompkins)
Alyson Wellins	....	assistant accountant: New York
Rebecca White	....	accountant assistant: Miami
Larry Zience	....	production assistant
Rennie Cowan	....	assistant avid technician (uncredited)
Dave Knight	....	additional location assistant (uncredited)
Brian Rosenberg	....	assistant: Gavin Polone (uncredited)
Billy Smith	....	key assistant location manager (uncredited)
Billy Smith	....	location manager: second unit (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Columbia Pictures Corporation
• Hofflund/Polone
• Global Entertainment Productions GmbH & Company Medien KG

Distributors

• Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) (1999) (USA) (theatrical)
• Columbia Pictures (1999) (USA) (theatrical)
• Columbia TriStar Film (1999) (Germany) (theatrical)
• Columbia TriStar Films (1999) (France) (theatrical)
• Columbia TriStar Films (1999) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• Columbia TriStar Films de Argentina (1999) (Argentina) (theatrical)
• Columbia TriStar Films de España (1999) (Spain) (theatrical)
• Falcon (1999) (Czech Republic) (theatrical)
• Fox-Warner (1999) (Switzerland) (theatrical)
• Renaissance Egypt Company (1999) (Egypt) (theatrical)
• Sony Pictures Entertainment (1999) (Japan) (theatrical)
• Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment (1999) (Germany) (DVD)
• Columbia TriStar Home Video (1999) (USA) (VHS)
• Columbia TriStar Home Video (2000) (Netherlands) (VHS)
• LK-TEL (2000) (Argentina) (VHS)
• SBS6 (2002) (Netherlands) (TV)

Other Companies

• Bill Dance Casting  extras casting
• Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment  dollies
• Cinema Research  opticals
• Imaginary Forces  main titles
• Pacific Title/Mirage  title design
• SoundStorm  sound editing
• Tony's Food Service  catering

Also Known As:

8 Millimeter (USA) (working title)
8mm - Acht Millimeter (Germany)
Eight Millimeter (USA) (working title)
Sexy World (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for strong perverse sexuality and violence, and for strong language.

Runtime:

123 min

Country:

USA | Germany

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Canada:18 (Nova Scotia) | Canada:18A (British Columbia) | Canada:R (Alberta/Manitoba/Ontario) | USA:R (certificate #36153) | Singapore:PG (original rating) (heavily cut) | Singapore:R21 (re-rating) | Philippines:R-18 | Brazil:18 | Argentina:18 | Australia:R | Belgium:KNT | Chile:18 | Czech Republic:15 | Finland:K-15 (re-rating) | France:-16 | Germany:18 | Hong Kong:IIB | Italy:VM18 | Japan:PG-12 | Mexico:C | Netherlands:16 | New Zealand:R18 | Norway:18 | Peru:18 | Portugal:M/18 | South Korea:18 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | Switzerland:18 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:18 (canton of Vaud) | UK:18 | Iceland:16 | Denmark:15 | Finland:K-18 (original rating) | Canada:18+ (Quebec)

Filming Locations:

Clevelander Hotel - 1020 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, Florida, USA

Company:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Trivia:

The film's production encountered concerns regarding the dark subject matter, and the studio asked Andrew Kevin Walker to lighten the film's tone. With Joel Schumacher as director, Walker felt a rewrite would no longer be needed. But as it turned out, Schumacher supported the studio and made changes of his own, leading to a much-publicized fallout between the two, with Walker virtually disowning the film and walking away from the set. He refused to even watch the film.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Tom Welles and Eddie Poole are at the place where Mary was killed, outside it is night, but when they are inside, through the windows it looks like sun is shining.

Quotes:

Max California: Can I interest you in a battery-operated vagina?
Tom Welles: No thank you.
Max California: Are you sure? I'd hate for you to be in one of those everyday situations that calls for a battery-operated vagina and not have one.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Siskel & Ebert & the Movies: (1999-03-06)" (1999)

Soundtrack:

Come To Daddy

Festering

"8mm" sucks you in from the moment you watch the snuff film with Nicholas Cage, not letting you go until the very end, where it spits you out encased in a cocoon of bloody phlegm.

The director successfully creates a gritty atmosphere that remains constant right up until the end, but the plot isn't so lucky. As others have pointed out, things get ridiculous towards the films finale, which if crafted with more tact could have made "8mm" a great film rather than simply an entertaining one.

Cage gives a good, rather sombre performance as the private investigator hired to determine the authenticity of a snuff film found in the late husband of a senator's safe. From there on he's plopped into the festering world of deviant pornography, forced to explore the seedy bowels of stomach-churningly filthy underground sexual practices. Amy Morton's performance as Mary Ann's mother is perfect, conveying the emotions of a distraught, depressed mother beautifully. Joaquin Pheonix steals the show as the charismatic owner of a sex-shop.

Full of suspense, this film should at least entertain you as you watch with disgust and repulsion some of the dirtiest human habits imaginable.

7 out of 10.