The Hitcher
![Watch film The Hitcher — The Hitcher (1986) Original Trailer [FHD]](https://www.acmodasi.in/amdb/images/posters/l/k/the-hitcher-1986-kyOzv.webp)
Short description
Jim Halsey is driving a luxury car from Chicago to California for its owner when, tired on a rainy night, he picks up a hitchhiker. The stranger, John Ryder, soon threatens him with a knife, and Jim manages to force him out of the car. Ryder, however, keeps reappearing along Jim's route, leaving a trail of dead bodies, and the evidence leads the police to suspect Jim himself of the killings. Isolated and hunted, Jim finds an unlikely companion in Nash, a waitress he takes hostage, while Ryder continues to close in.
Robert Harmon directed this American thriller from a screenplay by Eric Red, with David Bombyk and Kip Ohman producing for Feldman/Meeker Productions. It was Harmon's first feature, followed years later by films including Nowhere to Run and Gotti. Rutger Hauer plays Ryder, C. Thomas Howell plays Jim, and Jennifer Jason Leigh plays Nash, with Jeffrey DeMunn, Billy Green Bush and John M. Jackson in supporting roles.
Made for about 6 million dollars, the film took in a similar amount worldwide, so it did not recoup much beyond its production cost during its cinema run. Audiences have since rated it well: on IMDb it holds 7.2 out of 10 from roughly 59,000 votes, and on TMDB 6.9 out of 10 from about 1,100 votes. A critics' rating of 6.2 out of 10 from 45 reviews places it somewhat below the viewer scores.
What's left behind the scenes
- On "Late Night with David Letterman," Rutger Hauer stated that the film was originally intended to end differently: Jim Halsey shoots John Ryder while he is lying on the road. However, to avoid an 'X' rating, the filmmakers slightly adjusted the ending. The revised version was included in the final cut of the film.
- According to Si Thomas Howell, he was genuinely afraid of Rutger Hauer both on and off the set. In his opinion, Hauer had become too immersed in the role.
- While performing one of the stunts, Rutger Hauer was holding a shotgun and accidentally knocked out one of his own teeth.
- Screenwriter Eric Red originally wrote the script with Keith Richards in the role of John Ryder (a role that eventually went to Rutger Hauer). In the script, this character was described as incredibly thin, a cancer survivor, and wearing a voice modulator on his belt, with an unnatural voice.
- Rutger Hauer performed many of the stunts himself in the film, which amazed the film crew and even professional stuntmen.
- The film's screenwriter, Eric Red, plays a deputy sheriff in the film who is transporting Ryder to jail.
- According to the film's screenwriter, Eric Red, the song “Riders on the Storm” by The Doors served as inspiration for writing the screenplay.
- Sam Elliott and Terrence Stamp were considered for the role of John Ryder.
- A film novelization based on the original film also exists. The author is Arch Stanton.
- The rough (initial) cut of the film lasted three hours.
- The truck at the end of the film is a "Dodge Ramcharger".
Auditions in India
Casting calls in USA
Castingi w Polsce
Кастинги в Україні
