Jacob's Ladder details
| Formats: | 15 DVD, 18 Blu-ray |
|---|---|
| Starring: | Danny Aiello, Tim Robbins, Macaulay Culkin, Elizabeth Pena |
| Director: | Adrian Lyne |
| Genre: | Thriller - Action/Adventure, Mystery |
| Studio: | ELEVATION |
| Name | Discs | |
|---|---|---|
Jacob's Ladder |
15 Feature |
DVD Information
| Run time: | 1 hour 48 minutes |
|---|---|
| Rental release: | 17 Mar 2003 |
| Main languages: | English |
Write your own review
Most helpful review
Disturbing fascinating masterpiece!
By a customer from Canterbury , 06 Oct 2004[Highly rated reviewer]
Jacob?s Ladder is one of those unappreciated works of excellence, unappreciated in the sense that it was a box office failure, and few people know its existence. I asked my film-marketing friend what he thought and his insightful response was ?Huh?? It is hard to believe that a respectable film critic such as my friend has never heard of this little gem!
Tim Robbns plays the role of Jacob, a Vietnam War veteran working as a mailman in New York. Divorced, living with his girlfriend in a less than glamorous apartment, having to see a chiropractor to help him cope with crippling back pain (Louis, his chiropractor is a character to be taken notice of), and trying to come to terms with terrible memories of the war and even more devastating, the loss of his little boy in a tragic accident, still grieving though years have passed. Jacob leads a less than charmed life.
But things suddenly seem to get worse; people are not whom they appear to be, times and dates appear confused and Jacob begins to hallucinate, seeing demons on the streets and social events. Just as he ? and others, including his girlfriend ? start to believe he is going crazy, fellow Vietnam survivors start to come forward, professing to be going through the same hell as Jacob, and then one by one, disappearing. As Jacob tries to discover what happened to him during his service in Vietnam, as the bits of his nightmare from those days are pieced together, Jacob?s very existence is placed on the line.
This is at once a truly harrowing and thought provoking tale. Based upon actual alleged events surrounding the American war in Vietnam, the film throws an un-glamorised light on the disasters of war, highlighting the psychological scars that are left behind, never to heal.
Dealing with thought provoking issues about man?s mortality, his soul and heaven and hell, its script shies away from being ?preachy?, and boasts some excellent nuggets such as ??devils are only angels, stripping us of all our worldly possessions and memories, helping us to let go??[paraphrased slightly].
This is definitely not a film that spoon-feeds its audience. It requires concentration and thought to unravel the events, to attribute meaning to them, and to understand the twist at the end. The film is potent, and sad; the true impact of the film will be felt at the end when the twist unveils itself, and all the pieces fall into place.
Superbly acted on all fronts, -Robbins shines in this performance ? I can find no fault with this film. It is a great shame that Adrian Lynn didn?t receive the recognition he deserves for this brilliant work. THIS FILM IS A MUST SEE!!- Was this review helpful to you?
- (49) Yes |
- No (0)
All reviews
(77)Head-twisting 90s shocker.
By filmsaremypassion (149 reviews) from Bexhill , 24 Apr 2013Greatly inspired a surrival horror game series Silent Hill, Jacob's Ladder is a truely disturbing and unsettling story set during n after the Vietnam war where Jacob played fantasticly by Tim Robbins starts to see horrible images and haunting dreams affects his day to day life. The film has three sets of flashbacks, what is happening in Vietnam, living with his wife who they divorced after a tragic accident and the present or is it really the present? It will keep you guessing to the very end, for a 90s movie without CGI or any massive special effects the whole theme alone will send shivers down your spine. While I wouldn't say it's jumpy or full on gory like most of todays offerings, its certainly a head twister and well worth a rental if you havent checked it out yet.- Was this review helpful to you?
- (0) Yes |
- No (0)
Should be called:1,2,3 Jacob's Back In The Room!
By a customer , 20 Sep 2012I was expecting a good film considering it's got 4 stars! Who rated this pile of poo 4 stars, what kind of films do they like?
Gosh!
It's got a silly story line, one minute he's about to get laid the next he's in the jungle!!- Was this review helpful to you?
- (0) Yes |
- No (10)
Master Piece
By a customer , 10 Aug 2012This is one of the best films I have ever seen. I first seen it about twenty years ago and was completely engrossed through out. It is so clever, they really do not make moves like this any more. It's the kind of movie that really stays with you and makes you think and the acting and script are amazing. I cannot believe that so few people know about this film. The people who have given it a one or two star....what can I say.....I accept not everyone is going to like the same thing but don't really understand how you could think this could possible desearve only one or two stars. Please don't miss out on this film!- Was this review helpful to you?
- (3) Yes |
- No (0)
Impressive Psychological Thriller
By Mosco (201 reviews) from London , 19 Apr 2011[Highly rated reviewer]
Jacobs Ladder is an impressive psychological thriller. Story centres around Jacob who is a Vietnam veteran who is disturbed my nightmares and crazy visions. He starts to wonder why and investigates. Tim Robbins playing Jacob is good in this and the horrific visions he experiences are really well done. It's well above average this film.- Was this review helpful to you?
- (2) Yes |
- No (0)
Jacob's Ladder
By djshepdog (24 reviews) from Newark, England , 25 Feb 2011After seeing the mixed reviews about this film, I grew curious as to what I would think of this film. After watching it today, I can say that it is now one of the best thriller/horror films released in the 1990s!
Jacob's Ladder is an intelligent film in which you have to use your brain to work out what is happening and nothing is served to you on a plate. Some very creepy imagery is used in the movie and throughout, a great atmosphere is felt which makes the viewing experience even better...- Was this review helpful to you?
- (8) Yes |
- No (0)
