The Good Shepherd (2006)

Director:

Robert De Niro

Writer (WGA):

Eric Roth (written by)

Release Date:

22 December 2006 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

Edward Wilson believed in America, and he would sacrifice everything he loved to protect it.

Plot:

The tumultuous early history of the Central Intelligence Agency is viewed through the prism of one man's life.

Plot Keywords:

Directed By Star | CIA | Liar | Shot In The Forehead | Moral Ambiguity

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 1 win & 6 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Thur. July 24	1:35 AM	HBO
Wed. July 30	3:35 AM	HBO

Cast

Matt Damon	...	Edward Wilson
Angelina Jolie	...	Margaret 'Clover' Russell
Alec Baldwin	...	Sam Murach
Tammy Blanchard	...	Laura
Billy Crudup	...	Arch Cummings
Robert De Niro	...	Bill Sullivan
Keir Dullea	...	Senator John Russell, Sr.
Michael Gambon	...	Dr. Fredericks
Martina Gedeck	...	Hanna Schiller
William Hurt	...	Philip Allen
Timothy Hutton	...	Thomas Wilson
Mark Ivanir	...	Valentin Mironov #2
Gabriel Macht	...	John Russell, Jr.
Lee Pace	...	Richard Hayes
Joe Pesci	...	Joseph Palmi

MPAA:

Rated R for some violence, sexuality and language.

Runtime:

167 min | Russia:139 min (cut version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Spanish | German | Russian

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | SDDS | DTS

Certification:

UK:15 | Philippines:R-13 (MTRCB) | Portugal:M/12 | Ireland:15A | Canada:14A (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Ontario) | Malaysia:U (DVD) | Finland:K-15 | Germany:12 | Norway:15 | Sweden:15 | Denmark:15 | Netherlands:16 | USA:R (certificate #43094) | Italy:T | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Singapore:M18 | Brazil:14 | Argentina:13 | Malaysia:18PL | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | New Zealand:M | South Korea:18 | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Australia:M

Filming Locations:

49-51 Chambers Street, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Universal Pictures

Trivia:

Wayne Wang was set to direct but management changes at Columbia ended Wang's involvement and Philip Kaufman was the next person set to direct but he eventually left the project. When it moved to MGM, John Frankenheimer signed on to make the movie and wanted Robert De Niro to star. Unfortunately, Frankenheimer died in 2002 and at the same time De Niro was developing his own spy story.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: When Wilson copies the membership list of the American German Cultural Commitee, the list he copies contains a font that was only recently available on typewriters. None of the "photocopies" in the movie contain features of the mimeographs that would've produced those copies in the 40s, 50s and 60s. Likewise, the photos used to blackmail Wilson later in the film also appear to have been printed on an ink-jet or laser printer.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Miriam: You are safe here with me.

Movie Connections:

Featured in De Niro: A Self Portrait (2007) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Silouans Song

A masterfully crafted film reminiscent of the classics

I have not seen a movie that I have been happy with for over a year, and I was very pleasantly surprised with "The Good Shepherd". The plot is intricate and keeps throwing twists and turns throughout the film. In addition, this film has single-handedly changed my opinion of Matt Damon. He was absolutely excellent in this thrilling drama, and in my opinion is worthy of an Oscar nomination, as is most of the cast. Robert De Niro showed absolute mastery in his direction of Eric Roth's screenplay, and the whole quality of the experience truly reminded me of such epic classics as The Godfather. "The Good Shepherd" is long in duration, but keeps you on the edge, making the time fly. Plus, the movie is truly star-studded with many of the supporting roles played by Hollywood Heavyweights. If you love dramas, political espionage, or just an excellent character-driven film (the depth that De Niro gives these characters is amazing), you will LOVE this movie! Thank you Mr. De Niro for restoring my faith in movies. DEFINITE Oscar CONTENDER!