PRODUCTION
NOTES:
Principal photography on the $20 million
international action thriller, based on a screenplay by David Mamut, began on November 3, 1997 in an abandoned
workshop in Aubervilliers, a working-class suburb of Paris. The company shot more than 20 set-ups that first day. Another sequence was shot
in the Parisian subway station at Porte de Lilas before the company
moved to Arles on November 17. The central location used in Arles was
the city's historic Place Du Forum d'Arles. Upon the completion of that sequence, the company
moved to its next base of operations in Nice. There, the first of the film's harrowing car
chases was shot on the narrow streets of Old Nice. While they were based in Nice, sequences were also shot at the luxurious Hotel Majestic
in Cannes, at the ancient village of La Turbie and in the town
of Villefranche. On December 19, the company returned to Paris for a two-week break for
the holidays. Shooting resumed on January 5 on the soundstages at
Studios Éclair in Epinay.
Frankenheimer was able to draw on his
extensive knowledge of Parisian sites. He incorporated locations as varied as the Pont
Alexandre III bridge, the Pere Lachaise cemetary, a deteriorating truckers' café outside
the city, and various elegant spots along the Duquesne, Segur and Breteuil avenues in
Paris. An additional series of spectacular car stunts were staged in the city, at
locations ranging from the Pont de Garigliano bridge to La Defense and in the Champerret
Tunnel.
The film's climactic sequence was shot at the huge arena at the Zenith, and involved
nearly 2000 extras. The scene, in which the story's various characters and several
parallel subplots converge, was another logistical challenge for the filmmakers. After
shooting an intricate high-speed car chase near La Defense, principal photography on Ronin
was completed on March 3, 1998.
IMAGES:
STELLAN:
"Gregor appears to be a
rather mysterious, cold and sad guy. You don't know where he comes from, where he's going
or what his plans are. And you can only guess what his motives are."
PRAISE FOR
STELLAN:
"An extraordinary cast of actors, all on the same formidable wavelength, match
wits impressively. Robert De Niro and Jean Reno form an early camaraderie... while
Jonathan Pryce and Stellan Skarsgård give the story's maneuverings a few more sinister
shadings." ...NY Times
"The cast is undeniably top-notch, and there isn't a weak link... Robert De Niro,
doing a rare action film, is a perfect choice for the unflabbable Sam... Equally
impertubable are Stellan Skarsgård and Jean Reno." ...James
Berardinelli
"The performances by De Niro, Stellan Skarsgård, Natasha McElhone and Jean
Reno are on the mark." ...Film Threat
"Natasha McElhone, Jonathan Pryce and Stellan Skarsgård also turn in
full-bodied performances, giving their characters depth and credibility, making the film
an impressively intense experience." ...DVD Review
"Stellan Skarsgård, Sean Bean and Michael Lonsdale all turn in superb
supporting performances." ...The Cinema Laser
"Skarsgård is absolutely chilling as Gregor, the 'tech guy'. He blew be
away in Good Will Hunting, and he blows me away here."
...Chud.com
"Skarsgård, so likeable in Good Will Hunting, shows a nastier
side here to good effect." ...Film Journal
"De Niro is simply magnetizing in his portrayal of a desperate ex-spy. Jean
Reno and Stellan Skarsgård are also impressive." ...Cinematter
"Pryce and Skarsgård stand out in their villain roles."
...Ozus World
"The actual sensation of the film is however a
Swedish actor named Stellan Skarsgård." ...Cosmopolis,
ch
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