The Rock

Alcatraz. Only one man has ever broken out. Now five million lives depend on two men breaking in.

Release Date 1996-06-07
Runtime 137 minutes
Status Released
Watch

Overview

When vengeful General Francis X. Hummel seizes control of Alcatraz Island and threatens to launch missiles loaded with deadly chemical weapons into San Francisco, only a young FBI chemical weapons expert and notorious Federal prisoner have the skills to penetrate the impregnable island fortress and take him down.

Budget $75,000,000
Revenue $335,062,621
Vote Average 7.137/10
Vote Count 4903
Popularity 6.7265
Original Language en

Backdrop

Available Languages

English US
Title:
"Alcatraz. Only one man has ever broken out. Now five million lives depend on two men breaking in."
Deutsch DE
Title: The Rock - Fels der Entscheidung
"Alcatraz. Nur ein Mann ist jemals ausgebrochen. Jetzt hängen fünf Millionen Menschen davon ab, dass zwei Männer einbrechen."
Pусский RU
Title: Скала
"«Алькатрас. Только один человек когда-либо вырвался наружу. Теперь пять миллионов жизней зависят от двух человек, которые ворвались сюда.»"
Italiano IT
Title:
""
普通话 CN
Title: 勇闯夺命岛
""
Français FR
Title: Rock
"L’ultimatum expire dans 40 heures."

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Cast

Crew

Reviews

Bryan Nguyen
None/10
Alcatraz. Only one man has ever broken out. Now five million lives depend on two men breaking in. Michael Bay's best picture. The sophomore effort from director Michael Bay, this $75 million dollar action film was released nationwide on June 7, 1996 - eventually earning $335 million. The particularly great R-rated premise sees a mild-mannered chemist teaming up with a resourceful ex-con who must infiltrate Alcatraz prison after a rogue group of military men, led by a renegade general, threaten a nerve-gas attack. Constantly in over his head, and never one to use profane language, Nicholas Cage is excellent as the quirky chemist - often resorting to quips and jokes in lieu of violence. In a character that feels like a sort of spiritual successor to his portrayal of James Bond, Sean Connery is the patient but skilled MI6 operative. After 30-years of false imprisonment, he's recruited from jail to help the feds sneak onto Alcatraz - as he's the only person to have successfully escaped from the prison facility decades earlier. When he's required to finally put his knowledge of the defunct prison to the test, the disbelief and amazement from his military companions is quite amusing. The unlikely pairing of these two is honestly the best part of the film. Cage's zany behavior is a perfect foil for Connery's relaxed confidence. The British ex-con chastises his younger counterpart on 'doing his best'. "Your'best'? Losers always whine about their best. Winners go home and -bang- the prom queen." After a quick beat and a sly grin, Nicholas responds, "Carla was the prom queen." This isn't just a funny encapsulation of their relationship, but one of my all-time favorite exchanges in any action movie. Ed Harris is phenomenal as the quote, "bad guy" - a disillusioned Marine General whose terrorist actions are only to secure reparations for his forgotten and fallen soldiers. It's honestly a perfectly understandable, and dare I say noble position; a man willing to commit treason and risk his life to help the families of his former troops. Which is why the government's handling, and ultimate dismissal of his ransom request is so perplexing and frustrating. Before ordering a massive aerial kill strike on the entire island, the President gives an impassioned speech (seemingly to an empty Oval Office) about his 'impossible decision' - but this only highlights the aforementioned plot hole. Harris only asked for $100 million dollars... why not just give him the money? The supporting cast is stacked with even more excellent talent; David Morse, William Forsythe, Michael Beihn, Xander Berkeley, and Phillip Baker Hall. Of particular note however is John Spencer - who does fantastic work as a conflicted FBI director who reluctantly recruits Connery, Tony Todd who has one of the best on-screen deaths ever, and John C. McGinley whose unrealistic performance as an over-eager Marine makes him seem miscast. A trio of composers, including Hans Zimmer, bring some interesting and appropriate ideas to the soundtrack, utilizing synthesized themes and electric guitars. It feels reminiscent of the excellent score from the "Rainbow Six" video game that came out two years later. While this feature never quite breaks the mold, it definitely represents the best possible version of your stereotypical mid-90s action film. For a rewatchable thrill-ride with plenty of excitement and memorable characters, look no further. "The Rock" is explosive fun that never takes itself too seriously. Perhaps Bay's best film, I thought it was AWESOME.
John Chard
8.0/10
Welcome to The Rock. The Rock is directed by Michael Bay and written by David Weisberg, Douglas Cook & Mark Rosner. It stars Sean Connery, Nicolas Cage, Ed Harris, David Morse, William Forsythe & Michael Biehn. When a highly decorated army general (Harris) decides that he's had enough of his men dying and not getting the credit they deserve, he commandeers Alcatraz prison with a crack unit of Mercs. The plan is to hold the government to ransom or he will unleash from the prison biological rockets to bring Armageddon down upon America. Enter chemical weapons expert Dr. Stanley Goodspeed (Cage), who is forced to team up with the only man ever to escape Alcatraz - the mysteriously incarcerated in secret John Patrick Mason (Connery) - to break into the Rock and thwart the plans of the Mercs. So Cage as a chemistry expert who possible holds the fate of the world in his shaky hands? Connery, aged 66, as a tough prison escapee sporting a "Grunge" haircut? And Ed Harris, surely a bastion of patriotic Americana, turning bad and wanting to unleash hell on the Stars & Stripes? To expect nothing else but a berserker Michael Bayhem picture based on these facts is surely folly. He certainly has a varied CV does Bay, as do the leading actors on show here, but when on form, with writers prepared to put blood into the characters, Bay can deliver high octane entertainment if coupled with a cast clearly in tune with the material. Such is the case here. It's no award winner, naturally, but it does have some political smarts within the script. And if you want explosions, shoot outs and quips aplenty? Then this really will serve you well for a couple of hours. 7.5/10
Gimly
6.0/10
The two lead characters' impact on the events of the move are pretty negligible, everyone and everything in it is laughably stupid, and you can see here begin to blossom the stereotypes that Michael Bay would go on you ruin everything he ever touched with, but I still kind of like _The Rock_. Maybe it's just in comparison to all of Bay's other films, or maybe it's because it's the only one of his works I saw when I was still single-digit aged, but I do enjoy it. I'm not willing to defend it, just to re-watch it once a decade or so. _Final rating:★★★ - I liked it. Would personally recommend you give it a go. _
CinemaSerf
6.0/10
Right, first things first - turn your brain down to simmer for a couple of hours before you watch this and just remember it is meant to be a far-fetched action film. Once in that gear, it's not actually that bad once it eventually gets going. Rogue general "Hummel" (Ed Harris) steals some highly potent chemical weapons, takes some hostages on Alcatraz and points his weapons at San Francisco. It falls to FBI biochemist "Goodspeed" (Nicolas Cage) and the even more rogue prisoner "Mason" (Sean Connery) to take some marines and thwart this lethal attack. None of the acting here is any good - they are all pretty shocking, but once everyone is entrenched on the island, there are plenty of pyrotechnics, the pace picks up and this becomes mildly entertaining for the last half hour. The dialogue is full of typical ye-ha nonsense, and that grates after a while, and there is precisely no jeopardy at any point. Whatever you do, don't have any epidermal exposure... or cerebral expectations.
RalphRahal
9.0/10
The Rock (1996) is a solid action-packed ride from start to finish. The plot is straightforward but executed well, with a strong first act that sets everything up nicely. The pacing keeps things moving without dragging, and there's a good balance between intense action and quieter moments that build character relationships. The script is solid, delivering sharp dialogue and a few memorable lines that stick with you long after the credits roll. Michael Bay’s direction is exactly what you’d expect, high-energy, explosive, and visually dynamic. The cinematography has that gritty yet polished look that works perfectly for this kind of movie, making the action sequences feel immersive and intense. Bay’s signature camera movements and framing give everything a larger-than-life feel, keeping the tension high. The sound design and score are fantastic, elevating the emotional beats and the action without overpowering the scenes. The performances are a big part of what makes The Rock work so well. Sean Connery has an undeniable screen presence, bringing charisma and weight to his role, while Nicolas Cage delivers a strong performance that balances his character’s intelligence and unpredictability. Ed Harris also stands out, adding depth to a character that could have easily been one-dimensional. With great action sequences, strong performances, and a tight script, The Rock is a top-tier action movie that holds up incredibly well.

Famous Conversations

CARLA: Don't stop... do no stop.

GOODSPEED: Shit, shit, shit what time is it. Hello. I'll be downstairs in ten minutes.

GOODSPEED: Stick with Carla.

CARLA: Okay. How 'bout Carla Goodspeed? Six years, Bill. We've lived together six years.

GOODSPEED: Could we change the subject?

CARLA: That record company.in Nashville wants to hear my demo tape.

GOODSPEED: Hey! Now there's some good news.

CARLA: You think I'm too... ethnic for country music?

GOODSPEED: Carla Pestalozzi? No. Definitely not. You could have posed for the Mona= Lisa. Sophia Loren looks Swedish next to you.

GOODSPEED: Not really.

CARLA: You know how I feel about what you do.

GOODSPEED: Had a close one.

CARLA: You want to talk about it?

GOODSPEED: Just come and get me, sir. I'm tired.

SANCHEZ: Name your vacation spot, Goodspeed. The Bureau'll pay for it.

GOODSPEED: He's got a gun, sir.

SANCHEZ: What do you have, a FUCKING WATER PISTOL? Get him back!

GOODSPEED: He says he's leaving the island sir.

SANCHEZ: Don't let him do that.

GOODSPEED: It's me sir.

SANCHEZ: What is happening? Where's Mason?

SANCHEZ: Spit it out.

GOODSPEED: MY girlfriend's pregnant.

GOODSPEED: Thank you.

SANCHEZ: You're not wimping out on us, Goodspeed.

GOODSPEED: I join the F.B.I. I ask for fieldwork. They say, "Bill, you're too fucking= smart for field work." Every year I put in for a transfer and every year I= sit in that goddamn lab like the fucking Maytag repairman in the= commercial. Then the call finally comes, and it's a whole fuckin, city at= stake? Oh Jesus...

SANCHEZ: Maybe. Not really.

GOODSPEED: Archbishop of Canterbury. Imprisoned and executed by Henry the Second ...

SANCHEZ: No.

GOODSPEED: Ancient Greece. Alchimadus was imprisoned by his king.

MASON: St. Michael's Church, Fort Walton, Kansas. Front pew. Right leg. = Hollow.

GOODSPEED: What's that? Mason?

GOODSPEED: God's speed.

MASON: Yes. To wish someone a prosperous jouey.

GOODSPEED: Mason, uhm, John, I have something to tell you. You know that pardon= contract you signed?

MASON: Womack ripped it up, right?

GOODSPEED: You knew? All this time?

MASON: I'm not a fool, Billy.

GOODSPEED: All I know is that whatever you did, you don't deserve to go back.

GOODSPEED: Partners?

MASON: Partners.

MASON: Surprise, surprise.

GOODSPEED: I'm not a field agent, all right? So cut me a break.

MASON: An F.B.I. Man asking me for a break. How droll.

MASON: You referring to your intellect, Goodspeed? Or another portion of your= anatomy ....

GOODSPEED: The cell, Mason.

GOODSPEED: Mason. Mason?

MASON: It's about time.

GOODSPEED: Wait.

MASON: Find the rockets. If they're guarded, kill the men guarding them.

GOODSPEED: What are you doing?

MASON: Now they only have three rockets left.

GOODSPEED: I'll go.

MASON: Wrong.

GOODSPEED: What, vou?

MASON: I'm not the chemical weapons expert.

MASON: Limp dick?

GOODSPEED: It's all I could think of.

GOODSPEED: I.don't get it. You're going to help me?

MASON: No. I'm going to give you dancing lessons. What the fuck do you think?

GOODSPEED: Don't shoot me. Mason was actually slinging it over his shoulder...

MASON: For christ's sake. Mason trudges down the tu=3Del. Goodspeed follows him.

GOODSPEED: Wait. Where're you going?

GOODSPEED: Motor oil?

MASON: For cottonmouth. Goodspeed and the S.E.A.L.s exchange looks.

MASON: John Mason. ' Don't be shocked. I don't have much time. Please listen carefully ....

GOODSPEED: Where is he sir? RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME. What's he doing? HE'S ON THE= PHONE. I DON'T FUCKING KNOW, HIS STOCKBROKER! Oh shit. Gotta go.

GOODSPEED: I don't understand....

MASON: During the time I cooperate, will I be outside? Outside a jail?

GOODSPEED: Well yes I suppose ...

MASON: You suppose?

GOODSPEED: Yes. You'll be outside.

MASON: What do you do for the F.B.I., Goodspeed.

GOODSPEED: I'm a field agent.

MASON: Tell me what you really do.

Oscar Awards

Wins

Haven't Won A Oscar

Nominations

SOUND - 1996 Kevin O'Connell, Greg P. Russell, Keith A. Wester

Media

Featurette
Nicolas Cage..The Rock..1996 talks about Connery and his career...with Jimmy Carter
Trailer
The Rock (1996) Trailer #1 | Movieclips Classic Trailers
Trailer
The Rock ≣ 1996 ≣ Trailer #1