Jacob’s Ladder is a 1990 American horror film written by Bruce Joel Rubin, directed by Adrian Lyne and starring Tim Robbins, Elizabeth Peña and Danny Aiello. The film’s title refers to the biblical story of Jacob’s Ladder, or the dream of a meeting place between Heaven and Earth.
Divorced Vietnam veteran turned postman Jacob Singer (Tim Robbins) is disturbed when he begins to be plagued by bizarre and violent hallucinations, both of the family he has abandoned and a bloody battle he could not previously remember. So strong are the images that the line between past and present, real and unreal, begins to dissolve. Desperate for help, Jacob turns to his ex-wife, Sarah, and
chiropractor Louis (Danny Aiello)…
Made by an independent film company Carolco Pictures ten years after being written by Rubin, Jacob’s Ladder drew from several inspirations for its story and effects, including the short film An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge and the paintings of Francis Bacon. Though only a moderately successful upon release, the film garnered a cult following and became a source of influence for a number of other works, notably the horror media franchise Silent Hill.
According to Lyne’s audio commentary on the Blu-ray, test screenings indicated that the initial version of the film was overwhelming for the audience. In response, about 20 minutes of disturbing scenes, mostly from the last third of the film, were deleted from the final cut. These are provided as extras.
Related : Silent Hill Revelation 3D
“This is a fascinating film, not only for what it achieves, but for what it avoids. Psychological thrillers play tricks as entertainment. Often the trickery becomes the raison d’etre. Here, there are no tricks. Within the framework of an extraordinary story, which lays itself open to cinematic indulgence, the overriding factor is integrity.” Angus Wolfe Murray, Eye for Film
“This movie was not a pleasant experience, but it was exhilarating in the sense that I was able to observe filmmakers working at the edge of their abilities and inspirations. Not every movie has to be fun.” Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Post by Will Holland
Categories: 1990s, haunting, insanity, psychological horror
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