Narrow Margin (1990)

58% of critics liked it
(12 reviews)
42% of users liked it
(2,627 ratings)

Narrow Margin directed by Peter Hyams and loosely based on the classic film noir of the same title, tells the story of a resourceful District Attorney who must return a witness to San Francisco alive so she can testify in a trial. Carol (Anne Archer) is in the bathroom of the hotel room of her blind… More Narrow Margin directed by Peter Hyams and loosely based on the classic film noir of the same title, tells the story of a resourceful District Attorney who must return a witness to San Francisco alive so she can testify in a trial. Carol (Anne Archer) is in the bathroom of the hotel room of her blind date when he is murdered by mobsters for stealing money. Knowing she is the only witness, Carol flees to an isolated Canadian mountain home to hide out. She is followed by Caulfield (Gene Hackman) who knows that she is a witness and wants to make her testify. When the mobsters track Caulfield to the cabin, Carol must join him in a run for her life on a Canadian train. This film, while it is somewhat uneven, is a tour de force for director/writer/cinematographer Peter Hyams, who delivers a fast-paced, action-packed chase through the Canadian mountains, stunningly photographed and well acted by both Hackman and Archer. ~ Linda Rasmussen, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 39 min.
Directed By: Peter Hyams
Genres: Mystery & Suspense, Action & Adventure

In Theaters: Sep 21, 1990 Wide
On DVD: Aug 17, 1999
Studio: Live Home Video

Critic Reviews

Chuck O'Leary, Fantastica Daily
This remake is a terrific suspense-thriller in its own right. Ranks with other underrated Peter Hyams films such as Capricorn One, Outland and The Star Chamber as one his best.
Rob Thomas, Capital Times (Madison, WI)
Nifty little thriller-on-rails.
Clint Morris, Moviehole
One of the most underrated suspense thrillers of the 90's
Nell Minow, Movie Mom at Yahoo! Movies
A gem of a thriller.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Featured Audience Ratings

xGary X

A 50s film noir is remade into a by the numbers thriller. Not terrible, but there's nothing here we haven't seen a hundred times before.
Dean M

A fine thriller in a train with Gene Hackman and Anne Archer have to play cat-and-mouse with the thugs who've boarded it to eliminate them.
Fascade F

What an incredible gripping tale of the limits a man will go to protect a witness to the prosecution of a murder case. This is one edge of your seat thriller that gently lets go of your emotions at the very end.
Anthony V

Nowhere near as good as the original.

Cast

            Gene Hackman as Robert Caulfield

            Anne Archer as Carol Hunnicut

            James B. Sikking as Nelson

            J.T. Walsh as Michael Tarlow

            M. Emmet Walsh as Sgt. Dominick Benti

            Susan Hogan as Kathryn Weller

            Nigel Bennett as Jack Wootton

            J.A. Preston as Martin Larner

            Harris Yulin as Leo Watts

            Natino Bellantoni as Bartender

            Lindsay Bourne as Club Car Waiter

            Ron Cummins as Hotel Valet

            Lon Katzman as Loughlin

            Tom McBeath as Conductor

            Kevin McNulty as James Dahlbeck

            Barney O'Sullivan as Ticket Agent

            Doreen Ramos as Elderly Woman

            Andrew Rhodes as Nigro

            Robert Rozen as Dining Car Waiter

            Barbara Russell as Nicholas' Mother

            B.A. "Smitty" Smith as Keller

            Ted Stidder as Conductor #1

            Dana Still as Bellman with Message

            Codie Lucas Wilbee as Nicholas

            Lesley Ewan as Larner's Secretary

            Antony Holland as Elderly Man
See full cast