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Ronin Reviews

1998 Certificate 15
  • Rated:
  • 70
  • from 19,175 members

David Mamet wrote this screenplay under the name Richard Weisz, as a gun for hire, much like the masterless samurai of the film's title, who roamed Japan in the 19th century, loyal only to themselves. A group of men with highly developed skills are called to a meeting in a deserted warehouse in Paris. Sam (Robert De Niro), an .. Read more

Starring Robert De Niro, Jean Reno, Jonathan Pryce, Natascha McElhone
Director John Frankenheimer
Genres Action/Adventure, Thriller

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  • Critics' reviews (6) of Ronin

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  • 4 stars out of 5

    This deliberately retro thriller from director John Frankenheimer resembles a 1970s European espionage caper in atmosphere and style, and bounds along at a cracking pace. While the action is engrossing, there's also a sobering political slant as Robert De Niro travels to Paris to join an international gang of criminals (including the always watchable Jean Reno) who have been hired by Irish revolutionary Natascha McElhone to steal an important briefcase. No excuse is missed for a frenzied car chase in the Bullitt tradition, or the chance to add a menacing hard edge to the deliciously convoluted plot. By the way, the word “ronin” is taken from a Japanese legend about 47 samurai who avenge the killing of their master then commit mass suicide.

    • Radio Times
  • "...An extraordinary cast of actors, all on the same formidable wavelength, match wits most impressively....Mr. De Niro shows off a brooding, hard-guy panache with its own brand of international appeal..."

    • New York Times
  • "...Bracing sequences....A welcome throwback....[De Niro] makes most recent action-movie figures look like callow jocks..." -- Rating: B+

    • Entertainment Weekly
  • Most helpful members' reviews (3) of Ronin

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  • 10 out of 11 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    Twists and turns - not only the cars!

    Excellent film, I always reckon that DeNiro never makes a bad film.

    Absorbing plot, incredible car chases, characters really come to life.

    Great film.

      • MARK from Hereford
  • 7 out of 7 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    Amazing Car Chases, Great Gun Fights wow!!!!!

    I am an out and out Deniro fan, this film however is filled with great performances from all the cast. The plot is good, the cast is great and the Big scenes are brilliant. If you like action films then you simply must view this title.

      • A customer from PEMBS U.K
  • 6 out of 6 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    I just want to say the speed chases in this movie are better than anything we had so far ... it`s " breathtaking" and also handle superbly by all actor in the film.

    i may suprise you to know that the film extras did not get paid for there particatpation within the film because they were mostly volenteers whom love to be in paris ...

    10/10 goods film rent if you like a good thrill ing chase

      • A customer from NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE
  • Most recent members' reviews (2) of Ronin

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  • 1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    superb

    De niro and Reno are simply excellent and a joy to watch !

      • sandy b from Morecambe, Lancs. 2006
  • 1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars

    Ronin rocks

    Although the title relates to Japanese samuri they are only loosely refered to. But it is a great movie about mercenaries on a mission in France with some fabulous car chases. Some nice plot twists and good acting. Recommended.

      • A customer from London
  • 10 out of 11 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    Twists and turns - not only the cars!

    Excellent film, I always reckon that DeNiro never makes a bad film.

    Absorbing plot, incredible car chases, characters really come to life.

    Great film.

      • MARK from Hereford
  • 7 out of 7 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    Amazing Car Chases, Great Gun Fights wow!!!!!

    I am an out and out Deniro fan, this film however is filled with great performances from all the cast. The plot is good, the cast is great and the Big scenes are brilliant. If you like action films then you simply must view this title.

      • A customer from PEMBS U.K
  • 6 out of 6 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    I just want to say the speed chases in this movie are better than anything we had so far ... it`s " breathtaking" and also handle superbly by all actor in the film.

    i may suprise you to know that the film extras did not get paid for there particatpation within the film because they were mostly volenteers whom love to be in paris ...

    10/10 goods film rent if you like a good thrill ing chase

      • A customer from NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE
  • 5 out of 7 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    How high paced can it get?

    A film I have wanted to see for a while, but i didn't expect anything as fantastic as this.

    A high octane thriller that grips you by the collar throughout, and chase sequences worthy of a place in cinema history. Robert De Niro shines in a role that fits him surprisingly well compared to films such as Taxi Driver and Casino, and Jean Reno, as always, never fails to impress.

    Edge of the seat throughout, with a plot that keeps you guessing until the end, Ronin is a must for all true movie fans.

      • A customer from England
  • 4 out of 6 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 2 stars

    You can Ronin but you cant hide

    A fairly decent movie, the shoot out are good and the car chases are enjoyable. A better plot good of made it a better film but with De niro, Bean and Reno together it is a must see.

      • TonyMontana2 from Down
  • 3 out of 3 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    Action at its best - DeNiro style

    Want to see an action film that has it all. Car chases, spy rings, shoot outs, well you've come to the right film. I truly believe that DeNiro was ten times better in this than he was in Heat backed up by the excellent Jean Reno. If you like action films then Ronin is not to be missed...

      • A customer from A DeNiro Fan
  • 3 out of 3 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    Great Stuff!

    Long long ago, in the days when De Niro was still cool he made great little flicks like this. Great heist/gang movie with Bobby at his menacing best. RENT IT!

      • Keefy from Newcastle
  • 3 out of 3 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    Why isn't this movie a household name?

    You think De Niro, you think Goodfellas, right? Or The Deer Hunter, or Taxi Driver, or Rocky and Bull...never mind. In my humble opinion this thriller is right up there with the best of them. It's such an absorbing, evenly-paced, well-planned movie, it'll captivate you from start to finish as the story carefully unravels in anticipation of a cracking ending. And even if it doesn't, the breakneck car chases at the end will make it more than worthwhile on their own.

    If you like 'action' movies in any capacity, and you've run out of blockbusters to add to your list, throw this on - you will NOT be disappointed. This is one of the few movies I have ever rated 5-stars and meant it.

      • Luke Zagorski from Cardiff
  • 3 out of 4 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 2 stars

    Ronin..... dronin....zzzzz

    Ok, my hubby loved it, so maybe its more of a blokes film, and so all you blokes who like car chases, guns, and a bit of a plot, Go for it. It wasnt all bad(apart from the womans dodgy irish accent!) It had Sean Bean in it, so made it watchable for me..oh, old Bob de Niro was pretty good too. but, not really my cuppa T.

    I did manage to read a magazine while watching the film, so its not too hard going.

      • Tinga from Ruislip, Middlesex
  • 2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars

    ronin is gr8

    this is a good film. it really has you gripping the edge of the seat the whole way through. more than just the car chases this is a great film.

      • A customer from my house
  • Critics' reviews (6)

  • 4 stars out of 5

    This deliberately retro thriller from director John Frankenheimer resembles a 1970s European espionage caper in atmosphere and style, and bounds along at a cracking pace. While the action is engrossing, there's also a sobering political slant as Robert De Niro travels to Paris to join an international gang of criminals (including the always watchable Jean Reno) who have been hired by Irish revolutionary Natascha McElhone to steal an important briefcase. No excuse is missed for a frenzied car chase in the Bullitt tradition, or the chance to add a menacing hard edge to the deliciously convoluted plot. By the way, the word “ronin” is taken from a Japanese legend about 47 samurai who avenge the killing of their master then commit mass suicide.

    • Radio Times
  • "...An extraordinary cast of actors, all on the same formidable wavelength, match wits most impressively....Mr. De Niro shows off a brooding, hard-guy panache with its own brand of international appeal..."

    • New York Times
  • "...Bracing sequences....A welcome throwback....[De Niro] makes most recent action-movie figures look like callow jocks..." -- Rating: B+

    • Entertainment Weekly
  • "...This throwback to director John Frankenheimer's vintage international thrillers has an attractively old-fashioned feel..."

    • USA Today
  • Involved and implausible thriller, though there's some pleasure to be gained from watching the cast out-tough one another.

    • Halliwell's Film Guide
  • Given Frankenheimer's claims in the press notes that his 'intelligent suspense thriller... questions our ethics', you... read more on Time Out

    • Time Out

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    • David Mamet wrote this screenplay under the name Richard Weisz, as a gun for hire, much like the masterless samurai of the film's title, who roamed Japan in the 19th century, loyal only to themselves....

    • Ronin
      David Mamet wrote this screenplay under the name Richard Weisz, as a gun for hire, much like the masterless samurai of the film's title, who roamed Japan in the 19th century, loyal only to themselves. A group of men with highly developed skills are called to a meeting in a deserted warehouse in ...

Rating breakdown

19,175 Member ratings
  • 100
2,020
  • 90
1,876
  • 80
4,507
  • 70
3,934
  • 60
3,441
  • 50
1,572
  • 40
887
  • 30
458
  • 20
337
  • 10
143

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