The Hurricane is a 1999 American biographical sports drama film directed and produced by Norman Jewison. The film stars Denzel Washington as Rubin "The Hurricane" Carter, a former middleweight boxer who was wrongly convicted of a triple murder in a bar in Paterson, New Jersey.
The script was adapted by Armyan Bernstein and Dan Gordon from Carter's 1974 autobiography "The Sixteenth Round: From Number 1 Contender To 45472" and the 1991 non-fiction work "Lazarus and the Hurricane".
The film premiered on September 17, 1999, at the Toronto International Film Festival and was also featured at the Berlin International Film Festival on February 17, 2000. The Hurricane brought Denzel Washington one of his Oscar nominations for his powerful on-screen performance.
Plot
The Hurricane is a film that tells the story of Rubin "The Hurricane" Carter, a former middleweight boxer who was wrongly convicted of a triple murder in a bar in Paterson, New Jersey. The Hurricane's wrongful conviction and his fight for justice are the central themes of the movie.
The Hurricane's story is presented through a series of flashbacks, showing his life as a boxer in the 1960s, his imprisonment in the 1970s, and his eventual release in 1985.
It is also intertwined with the stories of the people who helped him fight for his freedom, including a group of Canadians who took up his cause and a young African-American boy who became inspired by his story.
Setting
The film The Hurricane is set in various locations, including Paterson, New Jersey, where the triple murder took place, and East Jersey State Prison in Rahway, New Jersey, where Rubin Carter was incarcerated for nearly 20 years. The film also features scenes in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, where some parts of the movie were filmed.
The narrative skips back and forth between different periods of Rubin Carter's life, including his time as a boxer in the 1960s, his imprisonment in the 1970s, and his eventual release in 1985.
Trailer
Full Cast
- Denzel Washington as Rubin "The Hurricane" Carter
- Vicellous Shannon as Lesra Martin
- Deborah Kara Unger as Lisa Peters
- Liev Schreiber as Sam Chaiton
- John Hannah as Terry Swinton
- Dan Hedaya as Lt. Jimmy Williams
- Debbi Morgan as Mae Thelma
- Clancy Brown as Lt. Jimmy Williams
- David Paymer as Myron Bedlock
- Harris Yulin as Leon Friedman
- Rod Steiger as Judge Sarokin
- Badja Djola as Mobutu
- Vincent Pastore as Alfred Bello
- Al Waxman as Warden
- David Lansbury as Prosecutor
- Garland Whitt as John Artis
- Beatrice Winde as Louise Cockersham
- Marcia Bennett as Mrs. Mary Cobb
- Deborah Pollitt as Mrs. Vera Lee
- Bill Raymond as Judge H. Lee Sarokin
- Robert Hurricane Carter as Officer
- Gerry Mendicino as Detective
- Jonathan Higgins as Detective
- Vlasta Vrana as Detective
- Robin Ward as Reporter
- Conrad Bergschneider as Reporter
- David Sparrow as Reporter
- John C. McGinley as Lt. Jimmy Williams (voice)
Themes & Reception
The film The Hurricane explores several themes, including racism, injustice, perseverance, hope, and the power of love and mercy to overcome hate and injustice. The film's portrayal of Rubin Carter's wrongful conviction and his fight for justice resonated with audiences and critics alike.
The film received generally positive reviews, with critics praising its direction, performances, and themes.
Director: Norman Jewison
Writer: Rubin 'Hurricane' Carter
Box Office Gross: $73,956,241
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Genre: Biography, Drama, Sport
Release date (Domestic): September 17, 1999