The Fisher King

Year:

1991

Duration:

137 min

Genres:

Comedy | Drama

IMDB rate:

7.6

Director:

Terry Gilliam

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 17 wins & 20 nominations

Details

Country: USA

Release Date: 1991-09-27

Filming Locations: New York, USA

Earnings

Budget: $24,000,000

Opening Weekend: $311,662 (USA) (22 September 1991)

Gross: $41,895,491 (USA)€2,400,742 (Spain)

Cast

Actor

Character

Kristen Connors

Jeff Bridges

Jack

Adam Bryant

Radio Engineer

Paul Lombardi

Radio Engineer

David Hyde Pierce

Lou Rosen (as David Pierce)

Ted Ross

Limo Bum

Lara Harris

Sondra

Warren Olney

TV Anchorman

Frazer Smith

News Reporter

Mercedes Ruehl

Anne

Kathy Najimy

Crazed Video Customer

Harry Shearer

Sitcom Actor Ben Starr

Melinda Culea

Sitcom Wife

James Remini

Bum at Hotel

Mark Bowden

Doorman

John Ottavino

Father at Hotel

Brian Michaels

Little Boy

Jayce Bartok

First Punk

Dan Futterman

Second Punk

Robin Williams

Parry

Bradley Gregg

Hippie Bum

William Jay Marshall

Jamaican Bum

William Preston

John the Bum

Al Fann

Superintendent

Stephen Bridgewater

Porno Customer

Amanda Plummer

Lydia

John Heffernan

Stockbroker Bum

Chris Howell

Red Knight

Michael Jeter

Homeless Cabaret Singer

Richard LaGravenese

Strait Jacket Yuppie

Anita Dangler

Bag Lady

Mark Bringelson

Drooler

Johnny Paganelli

Pizza Boy

Diane Robin

Receptionist

John Benjamin Red

Motorcyclist

Lisa Blades

Parry's Wife

Christian Clemenson

Edwin

Carlos Carrasco

Doctor

Joe Jamrog

Guard

John de Lancie

TV Executive

Lou Hancock

Nurse

Caroline Cromelin

Radio Show Call-In (voice)

Kathleen Bridget Kelly

Radio Show Call-In (voice)

Pat Fraley

Radio Show Call-In (voice) (as Patrick Fraley)

Mel Bourne

Langdon Carmichael (uncredited)

Ruben Dario Cruz II

Dancer / New Yorker (uncredited)

Kevin Fennessy

Diner (uncredited)

Ray Huffman

Dancer in the Park (uncredited)

Jack Mulcahy

Passerby (uncredited)

Peter Austin Noto

Homeless Man (uncredited)

Scott Seidman

Businessman (uncredited)

Tom Waits

Disabled Veteran (uncredited)

Did you know?

Trivia

Two Percheron circus horses, Lightning and Goliath, performed as the Red Knight's mount. One was used for galloping, and the other for rearing.

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The positioning of Jack Lucas with the homeless cabaret singer in his arms at the hospital echoes the positions of Mary and Christ in Michelangelo Buonarotti's Pieta at the Vatican.

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Tom Waits: the beggar in the wheelchair at the train station.

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Goofs

Jack and Anne have a violent quarrel, upon which he grabs her from behind to calm her down. In the next shot, Anne is in Jack's arms facing him.

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When Jack dials Lydia's number, it's ended with "11". A couple minutes later, Anna is looking into the same phone book and dials the number ended with "38" or "30"

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After the little quarrel with Anne, Jack gets a call. When he picks up the phone, it still keeps ringing for a short moment.

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Quotes

Jack Lucas: Where would King Arthur be without Guinevere?

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Jack Lucas: It's important to think. It's what separates us from lentils.

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Jack Lucas: I don't mean to be flippant or to enrage you or anything, but you're a psychotic man.

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Faq

Q

What is the Arthurian legend of 'The Fisher King' about?

A

'The Fisher King' is hailed in Arthurian legend as being a keeper in a long line of keepers charged with protecting the Holy Grail. Shot in his manhood (hence 'the wounded king'), he is rendered sterile and unable to procreate, which prevents him from keeping the line going. Little is left for him to do but fish (hence, 'the fisher king') in a nearby river and wait for someone to heal him.

Q

What is 'The Fisher King' about?

A

After making a glib comment on his shock-jock radio show, New York DJ Jack Lucas (Jeff Bridges) is horrified when one of his callers goes on a murderous spree in a local bar. One of the casualties is the wife of former university professor Henry Sagan (Robin Williams), now referring to himself as 'Parry', who became unhinged and homeless after losing his wife and who now suffers from hallucinations centered around the legend of the Fisher King. Despondent because he was the cause of Parry's life being shattered, Jack seeks redemption by befriending Parry and helping him in his quest to recover the Holy Grail and to win the heart of Lydia Sinclair (Amanda Plummer), the woman he loves from afar.

Q

A Note Regarding Spoilers

A

The following FAQ entries may contain spoilers. Only the biggest ones (if any) will be covered with spoiler tags. Spoiler tags have been used sparingly in order to make the page more readable.

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