The Spanish Prisoner

"It's the oldest con in the book."

1997 1h 50m EN

👍

6.8

SOLID

🍅

89%

FRESH

👌

METACRITIC

⭐

7.1

IMDB

★6.8TMDB · 327🍅89%Rotten Tomatoes●71Metacritic★7.1IMDB · 26,555

DramaMysteryThriller

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

An inventor of a secret process suddenly finds himself alone as both his friends and the corporation he works for turn against him.

“It's the oldest con in the book.”

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Where to watch · US

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Cast

Steve Martin
Jimmy Dell
Campbell Scott
Joe Ross
Ben Gazzara
Mr. Klein
Rebecca Pidgeon
Susan Ricci
Ricky Jay
George Lang
Felicity Huffman
Pat McCune
David Pittu
Resort Manager
J.J. Johnston
Doorman

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: David Mamet
Writers: David Mamet
Languages: English
Countries: United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 7

ERA

Did you know

29 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 7

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by David Mamet, shot by Gabriel Beristain. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 7

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Carter Burwell. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 7

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Barbara Tulliver shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 7

CAST

Did you know

Steve Martin and Campbell Scott and Ben Gazzara carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 7

ERA

Did you know

Marketing tagline: "It's the oldest con in the book.".

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 7

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt0120176 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

Cinephile deep dive

The take

David Mamet directs. Gabriel Beristain behind the camera. Carter Burwell scores. Barbara Tulliver cuts. Profitable at the box office. Produced in United States of America. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

129 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.
2Directed by David Mamet, shot by Gabriel Beristain. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
3Original score by Carter Burwell. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
4Editor Barbara Tulliver shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
5Steve Martin and Campbell Scott and Ben Gazzara carry the top of the cast.
6Marketing tagline: "It's the oldest con in the book.".
7IMDB entry: tt0120176 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

The technical file

Cinematography: Gabriel Beristain
Original score: Carter Burwell
Editing: Barbara Tulliver
Production design: Tim Galvin
Costume design: Susan Lyall
Runtime: 110 min · 1h 50m
Aspect ratio (typical): 1.37:1 (Academy)
Status: Released
Budget: $10,000,000
Box office: $13,835,130
Return: 138% of budget
Original language: EN
Certification (US): PG
IMDB: The Spanish Prisoner (1997)
Rotten Tomatoes: 89% 🍅 Fresh
Metacritic: 71/100
IMDB rating: 7.1/10 · 26,555 votes
MPAA: PG

Awards

3 nominations total

Also by

David Mamet

Stills · wallpapers

Selected frames

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Wallpaper

Trailers & featurettes

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Community reviews

What people are saying

Coco Sea2024-01-04
★ 8/10
This film captures you from start to finish, like the music! The lead actor is handsome; the pace is deceptive; the mystery is jazzy yet confounding; the cast's acting is done well; and our faith in the goodness in some stays alive through the end. This clever and entertaining film is a must see! The Spanish Prisoner was intelligently written and simply directed, a deception. The handsome and genuine Joe Ross --- naturally portrayed by the equally handsome Campbell Scott --- was your friend from the start. He is kind, easygoing, and neighborly. An inventor who trusts too easily, he is a loyal employee. His employer is portrayed by the wonderful Ben Gazzara, a master of unassuming and skillful dramatic arts himself. Steve Martin (famous comedian) was a surprise as Jimmy Dell, a jazzy crook. I would have chosen a different actor for the role of Susan; I think Joe deserved a beauty. A beautiful womin he resists would have magnified the nice guy quality. Who wouldn't want to be on the beach with Campbell Scott? Who wouldn't want their boss to fairly compensate them for a great invention? How do you escape the inescapable being cornered, framed, and chased? You really must see this neat mystery!
Wuchak2025-10-20
★ 6/10
When you can’t trust anyone Shot in September-October, 1996, this is a Hitchcockian corporate espionage drama/suspense thriller, written/directed by David Mamet. It’s reminiscent of “The Firm,” just meshed with elements of the future “Matchstick Men.” While it’s not great like the former, it’s almost on par with the latter. I find it the least of ’em because, although Rebecca Pidgeon is effective in the part of Susan, the role called for someone more alluring from the late ’90s, such as Marisa Tomei, Monica Bellucci, Salma Hayek, Yasmine Bleeth, Kate Winslet or Rachel Weisz. But that’s more of a cavil. The real issue is how unrealistic the story gets in the last act. I was ready for the spy inanities of “You Only Live Twice” to break out (speaking as a fan of that Bond flick). Still, it’s worth checking out for those interested. Mamet’s entertaining dialogues are worth the price of admission. Meanwhile Steve Martin works well in a rare serious role and Campbell Scott is good as the every-man protagonist. Watch for Ed O'Neill in a surprise cameo. It runs 1 hour, 50 minutes, and was shot in Islamorada, Florida; Manhattan; and the Boston area. GRADE: B-