Bringing Out The Dead

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    [Total: 17 Average: 4.4]
  • Directed By: Martin Scorsese
  • Written By: Paul Schrader
  • Release Date: October 22, 1999
  • Domestic Distributor: Paramount
  • Cast: Nicolas Cage, Patricia Arquette, John Goodman, Ving Rhames

Box Office Info:
Budget: $32 million Financed by: Paramount; Disney
Domestic Box Office: $16,797,191 Overseas Box Office: N/A


Joe Connelly penned the novel Bringing Out The Dead, based off of his experiences as a paramedic and not only was he fortuitous in just getting his gritty book published, but that Paramount purchased the theatrical rights (for producer Scott Rudin) for $100,000 before it was even released in 1998.  The unknown writer then had his work adapted by veteran Paul Schrader and landed Martin Scorsese in the director’s chair.  Bringing Out the Dead marked the fourth pairing between the two, after Taxi Driver, Raging Bull and The Last Temptation Of Christ.

The budget for Bringing Out The Dead was $32 million and Nicolas Cage lowered his salary demands from $20 million to $8 million, to keep the costs down.  Paramount and Disney financed.   Paramount handled domestic distribution and Disney took international rights.  Paramount dated Bringing Out The Dead for October 22, 1999 and the movie had strong buzz as an awards hopeful.  It bowed against The Best Man, Three To Tango, Bats and Crazy in Alabama.

Bringing Out The Dead landed positive reviews and was pegged to win the weekend, but it was dead on arrival with $6,193,052 — placing #4 for the frame led by The Best Man.  Audiences gave the movie a very poor C- cinemascore and it faded quickly from theaters with just $16,797,191.  Paramount would see returned about $9.1M after theaters take their percentage of the gross — far below the P&A expenses and their exposure to the budget.

Overseas numbers are not available.

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    • Update: there was apparently at least one more, a limited release of South Park: Bigger Longer and Uncut. This was the last WIDE release at least.

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