Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #29880 in DVD
• Released on: 2003-03-17
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Anamorphic, PAL, Widescreen
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 108 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
In Jacob's Ladder, Vietnam veteran Jacob Singer (Tim Robbins) thinks he is going insane. Or worse. When his nightmares begin spilling into his waking hours, Jacob believes he is experiencing the after-effects of a powerful drug tested on him during Vietnam. Or perhaps his post-traumatic stress disorder is worse than most. Whatever is happening to him, it's not good. Director Adrian Lyne sparks our interest and maintains high production values, but this confusing film chokes on its "surprise" ending. It owes much to Ambrose Bierce's haunting and more straightforward short story, An Occurrence at Owl Creek. Written by Bruce Joel Rubin, who also explored the "other side" in Ghost and My Life, Jacob's Ladder ultimately feels like an exercise in self-indulgence. A spirited performance by Elizabeth Peña outshines Robbins, who is surprisingly lethargic. --Rochelle O'Gorman

Special Features
1.85 Wide Screen
16:9 Anamorphic Wide Screen
English
Region 2

Synopsis
Adrian Lyne's JACOB'S LADDER moves in time and space between Vietnam and New York with hallucinatory force. Something bad happened on the Mekong Delta, on October 6, 1971, and it is still affecting war veteran Jacob (Tim Robbins) in Brooklyn as he attempts to live a normal life with coworker and girlfriend Jezzie (Elizabeth Pena). Louis (Danny Aiello), an understanding chiropractor, tries to help him cope with his nightmarish visions--some of which occur at night, while others intrude into his daily life. When Jacob gets a call from Paul (Pruitt Taylor Vince), who was with him in Vietnam, it seems that Jacob is not alone in his visions. The film offers impressive and compelling performances by Pena, Aiello (no ordinary chiropractor), and Ving Rhames and Eriq La Salle (the latter of ER) as Jacob's comrades from Vietnam. Macaulay Culkin appears uncredited as Jacob's young son, Gabe. Director Lyne also guides an unerring interpretation of Bruce Joel Rubin's screenplay in Robbins's powerfully restless, searingly searching performance as Jacob; brilliant editing additionally rounds out this engrossing, disturbing film. JACOB'S LADDER is a jolting experience that is not easily forgotten.

Customer Reviews

'I Thought I Was the Only One'. 'Me too'.
This is basically a yuppie nightmare movie, like After Hours or Something Wild. Ok, it's got 'Nam flashbacks and some pseudo-religiosity, which excites some middlebrow film reviewers, but it's essentially a load of old tosh.

Entertaining, though, like the Devil's Advocate (although that film didn't take itself so seriously).

Good points: George Constanza, with quite a lot of hair, as a seedy lawyer ('What am I? Perry Mason?'), all scenes with Elizabeth Pena, but particularly those where she is naked (oh, ok, all scenes with Elizabeth Pena) and the 'Stop, Wait a Minute Mr Postman' girls.

Bad points: the 'Nam bits, that Home Alone kid, the stupid story.


Worth buying, but not for more than about £2.50.

A masterpiece
Unfortunately one can not go into depth about Jacobs Ladder. Its a film where you cant really outline the plot without saying exactly what it is about. Saying what it is about will spoil it for those who have yet to see it. And when you watch it you will understand why.
Tim Robbins plays troubled man, Jacob Singer. Without giving anything away about why he is troubled, Jacob serves in Vietnam after a tragedy that will change his life forever. On the surface this film is about the horror of the war and Jacobs past coming back and haunting him when he returns home. Throughout the film Jacob has hallucinations and visions. Hunted by demons, he becomes convinced that there are people who want him dead. With his growing paranoia and fear of insanity, Jacob confronts the fears of his past and seeks out the truth of his involvements in Vietnam.

The purpose of this film is not to scare the viewer with its cast of demons and subliminal images. It has a deep story that evolves as Jacob explores and unravels the depths of his mind. Luckily it is not a bad ghost story with a poor ending. You sympathise with Jacob and the suffering he goes through. I, personally, was touched by this story. Although it is dark and gritty in story and the way it is portrayed, Jacobs Ladder is a truly beautiful film.

This is not a film that you can switch off to. You have to have your wits about you and need concentrate and remember what you see and what is said by the characters. You may feel confused about what is going on. The film is constantly switching between fantasy and reality and it is easy to get lost. But when the ending hits you in the face, you will look back on the film and everything will make sense. It is after the film that you think about and appreciate exactly what it is that this film does. However, most films that have good twists at the end wont have the same effect on you the second time you watch them. But this is where Jacobs Ladder differs from other films like that. In fact, watching it a second time will benefit you. You will spot things you didnt see the first time around and knowing the ending from the first time you watch it will make you understand the film a lot more the second time around.

Jacobs Ladder is more than just a psychological thriller. It is a film that will make you think and will have a great impact on everyone who watches it. Fathers with sons, in particular, will shed tears at this film at more than just the ending. Powerful performance by Tim Robbins makes this a great film that is a must watch for anyone.

A perfect mind
This movie is done a grave disservice being lableled as "horror." On the contrary, Adrian Lyne's (9.5 weeks Fatal Attraction)thought-provoking and disturbing film would best be categorized as "cerebral."
The illusion of reality is magnificently manifested throughout this movie, as the character of Jacob is systematically caught in a metaphysical vortex that transcends his perception of a post-Vietnam existence. Tim Robbins does an outstanding job playing Jacob, an unimposing man who is simultaneosly confused, overwhelmed, and frightened by the sudden appearance of "demons" in his life. Robbins is surrounded by a stellar supporting cast.

The haunting imagery of JACOB'S LADDER stimulates the mind and entices one to see this film, over and over again. It is a profound existential treat.