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Narrow Margin

Play trailer Poster for Narrow Margin R 1990 1h 37m Crime Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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63% Tomatometer 16 Reviews 52% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
When Carol Hunnicut (Anne Archer) witnesses a brutal murder by mobsters, she decides to hide in a remote cabin in the Canadian tundra. Clued to her whereabouts, Los Angeles District Attorney Robert Caulfield (Gene Hackman) journeys into the wilderness to convince Hunnicut to testify in court. Reluctant at first, Hunnicut agrees when the cabin is shot at by mob hit men in a helicopter. From there, it's a mad dash through the wilderness to escape the mob.
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Narrow Margin

Critics Reviews

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Nell Minow Movie Mom 04/18/2003
4/5
A gem of a thriller. Go to Full Review Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times 01/01/2000
1.5/4
The Idiot Plot, of course, is any plot that would be resolved in five minutes if everyone in the story were not an idiot. And rarely has there been a film in which more idiots make more mistakes than in this one. Go to Full Review David Nusair Reel Film Reviews 12/29/2022
3/4
...a solid (albeit erratic) endeavor... Go to Full Review Rene Jordan El Nuevo Herald (Miami) 11/10/2022
In the end, eminently satisfactory, every piece falls in its rightful place in this railway of a puzzle. [Full review in Spanish ] Go to Full Review Mike Massie Gone With The Twins 09/16/2020
5/10
The editing leaves something to be desired, considering that gaps in time are presented with slow fade-outs, as if this were made for television. Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy 07/05/2020
3/4
The 1952 film noir effort The Narrow Margin is rightly considered a classic; the 1990 remake Narrow Margin is rightly not. Yet that's not to say there isn't much to enjoy in this breezy thriller. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Chad E @Neodean Aug 7 I'll disclose my bias up front. I have an affinity for movies that involve trains. Narrow Margin has some obvious weaknesses with its story and writing, it provides plenty of tension and a lively pace that keep the viewer engaged. The cast is strong and performances are up to par across the board. Sit back and enjoy the ride. See more dave j 01/23/2025 Very very underrated film it’s a superb suspense thriller which I’ve watched now 10/15 times over the years either on dvd or if it’s shown on tv.Just watched it again after a few years today,gene Hackman was superb like in most films he is in playing a lawyer who is tough and resourceful when need be in protecting his star witness from the bad guys with skill and clever thinking.Still amazed why the reviews for this film are very mixed as it gets 8.5/10 for me and I’m not giving it anymore only because the ending in the court room is rather quicker than I liked as would have liked to have seen the star witness say more after watts is sent down Caulfield.Great film none the less and one of my favourites. See more Sarfaraz A 01/10/2025 The thriller was written and directed by Peter Hyams. Starring Gene Hackman, Anne Archer, and J. T. Walsh. The film follows deputy district attorney Gene Hackman, who is hellbent on taking down a mafia boss who murdered a man, which was witnessed by a woman, and now Gene must protect her as a witness. The film contains enjoyable thrills, however predictable. See more Jason C 11/16/2024 Managed to get through it as I like Gene Hackman but did anyone laugh at the end where the blonde woman turned out to be one of the baddies. How did she and all the rest figure out Gene and Anne were on the roof of the train? Just because the door window was open? See more Ian W @Ianwinter 05/04/2024 Even Gene Hackman and Ann Archer couldn't make this silly script into something worth watching and the director doesn't help. At times it's embarrassingly awkward making you feel for the actors. See more Steve D 09/09/2023 Nothing new but entertaining. See more Read all reviews
Narrow Margin

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Cast & Crew

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Peter Hyams

Director

Gene Hackman

Robert Caulfield

Anne Archer

Carol Hunnicut

James B. Sikking

Nelson

J.T. Walsh

Walsh

M. Emmet Walsh

Sergeant Dominick Benti

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Narrow Margin

Narrow Margin (1990) Narrow Margin (1990) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis When Carol Hunnicut (Anne Archer) witnesses a brutal murder by mobsters, she decides to hide in a remote cabin in the Canadian tundra. Clued to her whereabouts, Los Angeles District Attorney Robert Caulfield (Gene Hackman) journeys into the wilderness to convince Hunnicut to testify in court. Reluctant at first, Hunnicut agrees when the cabin is shot at by mob hit men in a helicopter. From there, it's a mad dash through the wilderness to escape the mob.
Director
Peter Hyams
Producer
Jonathan A. Zimbert
Screenwriter
Peter Hyams, Earl Felton
Distributor
TriStar Pictures
Production Co
Carolco Pictures Inc.
Rating
R
Genre
Crime, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 21, 1990, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Feb 4, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA)
$10.1M
Runtime
1h 37m
Sound Mix
Dolby SR, Surround
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