Road to Perdition (Widescreen Edition) |  | Director: Sam Mendes
Actors: Tom Hanks, Tyler Hoechlin, Rob Maxey, Paul Newman, Liam Aiken
Studio: Dreamworks Video
Category: DVD
List Price: $14.99
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Rating:  383 reviews
Sales Rank: 4778
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled), French (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), French (Dubbed)
Rating: R (Restricted)
Region: 1
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Number Of Discs: 1
Running Time: 117 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.3 x 0.6
MPN: DRWD90147D
ISBN: 0783274459
UPC: 678149014723
EAN: 9780783274454
ASIN: B00005JLBQ
Theatrical Release Date: 2002
Release Date: February 25, 2003
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Studio: Paramount Home Video Release Date: 02/13/2007 Run time: 117 minutes Rating: R
Amazon.com
In Road to Perdition, Tom Hanks plays a hit man who finds his heart. Michael Sullivan (Hanks) is the right-hand man of crime boss John Rooney (Paul Newman), but when Sullivan's son accidentally witnesses one of his hits, he must choose between his crime family and his real one. The movie has a slow pace, largely because director Sam Mendes (American Beauty) seems to be in love with the gorgeous period locations. Hanks gives a deceptively battened-down performance at first, only opening up toward the very end of the film, making his character's personal transformation all the more convincing. Newman turns in a masterful piece of work, revealing Rooney's advancing age but at the same time, his terrifying power. Jude Law is also a standout, playing a hit man-photographer with chilling creepiness. This movie requires a little patience, but the beautiful cinematography and moving ending make it well worth the wait. --Ali Davis
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Showing reviews 1-5 of 383
 Atmospheric story, with an all-star cast... February 1, 2010
David Wilkins (Minnesota)
Here is a story that carried me along from start to finish. I'm not familiar with the graphic novel from which it was adapted, and to be truthful, I have no desire to link the film to any other work. Maybe it's shameful, but I gush over every aspect of this movie. There are many ingredients worthy of remark, but it's the whole package, finely tuned, that has drawn me in for multiple viewings.
When I first heard about this production in process, I was skeptical about Tom Hanks as a 1930's mob hit-man and enforcer. But the story weaves a spell that rises above the literal imaging of stereotypes, and the choice of Hanks adds a much needed human element, playing reservedly against type. In fact, it could be argued that a more typical portrayal of his profession would have been the worst choice. Even the worst examples of human-kind have their bright moments, and it's that portrayal we're less likely to see in the average film. The rest of the cast is likewise excellent. The role of crime boss John Rooney, played by Paul Newman, couldn't have been a finer choice. His subsequent work before his demise was limited to voice-over and minor television. This last major effort is a wonderful capstone for a distinguished career. Then there's the barely recognizable Daniel Craig. He manages to wear the face and soul of a different man; one which is wholly despicable. All of the supporting cast are first rate, including such luminaries as Jude Law.
Other major elements of production design, cinematography by Conrad Hall, and the exquisite music of Thomas Newman, bring together a whole that is finer even than its individual parts. This sophomore effort by director Sam Mendes (American Beauty, Jarhead, Revolutionary Road), rises far above most sophomore efforts. To assign this film to the "gangster" genre would be a mistake. It requires multiple tags, or perhaps none at all. The provided synopsis is roughly adequate, but in the whole, there is so much more.
A Story of Father's & Son's, Betrayal & Redemption January 12, 2010
Jym Cherry (Wheaton, IL United States)
Sam Mendes' The Road to Perdition is an elegant mix of a good story, with evocative cinematography, and excellent acting making for a haunting period piece.
The Road to Perdition is really a son's story about his father and how he got to know him in a six week period. Michael Sullivan is an honorable man and is trying to instill those values into his children, Michael Jr. and Peter, prayers at dinner, an admonition not to play dice. He goes off to work everyday and provides for his family. Unfortunately, Michael Sullivan makes a living in a dishonorable profession, he's a gangster during prohibition. And a rather good one at that, he's the right hand man, enforcer for Paul Newman's mob boss, John Rooney.
Daniel Craig is Conner Rooney, John Rooney's biological son. Hanks' Michael Sullivan Sr is more of a son to the elder Rooney and the resentment seethes from Conner as he watches his father play the piano with Sullivan, and later we see how Rooney Sr berates Connor and humiliates him in front of Rooney Sr's lieutenants. When Michael Jr's curiosity gets the better of him and he follows his father to "work" where he witnesses his father committing a murder, when Michael is discovered it gives Conner an excuse to vent his rage towards Michael Sullivan by killing his family. After which Hanks' Michael Sullivan uses all the tools and skills at his disposal to avenge his family's murder to reach a conclusion that defies expectations and most clichés.
The acting is all around excellent, from Paul Newman's Oscar nominated performance as John Rooney. The first scene with Newman in it could be an entreaty to his fans when he says, "who's got a hug for lonely old man," only later do we learn of the ruthlessness of Rooney. Tom Hanks is surprising in this role, Michael Sullivan is essentially a hitman and Hanks plays to type, he may not be the smartest but he is good in his job. A pre-almost everything gives a subtle performance as Connor Rooney, who goes from ruthless ambition to a petulant adolescent trying to please his father but always falling short. Jude Law turns in an excellent performance letting himself look and be ugly as Maguire, a death photographer who if his subject isn't quite dead isn't above finishing off the job. Stanley Tucci turns in a nice role as a fictionalized Frank Nitti from Capone's Chicago mob.
Based on a graphic novel by Max Collins, The Road to Perdition stays true to graphic novel origins. A lot of the shots are taken right from the pages of the graphic novel and it doesn't look gimmicky, as a matter of fact it sets the tone for the nostalgic feeling the fictional storyteller is telling, the story of his father. It also gives the movie a somewhat unique feel and in certain cases makes it a more interesting movie. For example, when Sullivan kills Paul Newman the scene is shot from the far end of a rainy street and all you see is the flash of the machine gun out of the darkness as Newman's bodyguards fall like the rain around him.
Bonus Features: There are a ton of bonus features in this DVD. The usual director's commentary, deleted scenes, and making of documentary. One note on the documentary, I'm not usually interested in the costumers role in filmmaking but since the period clothing is so essential to the tone and feel of this movie it's a little more interesting than it's usual inclusion.
disturbing at times but WOW October 16, 2009
D. Bailey (Bishop, CA USA)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Loved this movie the first time I saw it. Another great Hanks movie. Loved all of the cast.
Road to Perdition (Widescreen Edition)
Not much of a review but.... August 2, 2009
O. Neeson (Perth, Australia)
I just have to say the scenery was spectacular, for me personally. I wish I had seen it on the big screen! (but I was too young, wouldn't have been interested 7 years ago).
Tour de Force performance from Hanks July 31, 2009
picardfan007 (USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Max Allan Collins, the former writer of the Dick Tracy Comic Strip wrote the graphic novel this story was based on. It this one Hank's character plays a hitman. His son follows him one day with tragic results. I don't want to give away too much. However it's a film that can be viewed more than once. It doesn't lose any of it's impact. I would like to read the graphic novel it's based on and the sequel. I have to wonder if the sequel matches the power of the first story.
If you are a Hanks fan or any type of film buff, this is one you'll never forget!
Showing reviews 1-5 of 383
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