Eraser (1996)
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A U.S. Marshal specializing in witness protection must go on the run to protect a key witness from a mole within the agency.
The story
John Kruger, a U.S. Marshal who specializes in "erasing" witnesses, is assigned to protect Lee Cullen, who has alerted the FBI to an illegal arms deal involving an electromagnetic rifle. After Lee delivers the data, the FBI's disc is replaced with a fake by a high-ranking official. Lee is attacked by mercenaries, and Kruger discovers that a mole within the witness protection program is murdering other witnesses. As the agency begins transferring all witnesses, Kruger must navigate a web of betrayal and violence to keep Lee safe from the mercenaries and the corrupt officials seeking to silence her.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
John Kruger, a U.S. Marshal who specializes in "erasing" witnesses, is tasked with protecting Lee Cullen, who has exposed an illegal electromagnetic rifle deal by Cyrez executives. After Lee delivers the data, the FBI's disc is swapped for a fake by Under Secretary of Defense Daniel Harper. Lee is attacked by mercenaries but rescued by Kruger, who realizes a mole in WITSEC is murdering witnesses. Kruger's mentor, Robert DeGuerin, is revealed as the mole; he drugs Kruger and attempts to blackmail him into giving up Lee. Kruger escapes and rescues Lee from mercenaries, fleeing through the New York City Zoo. DeGuerin brands them fugitives. With help from a witness named Johnny Casteleone, Kruger and Lee infiltrate Cyrez to decrypt Lee's second disc, revealing the weapons are destined for the Russian mafia to sell to terrorists. After Casteleone's crew kills the Russian boss, Kruger destroys the crane system to save Lee and secures DeGuerin. When the trio of villains faces likely acquittal, Kruger fakes his and Lee's deaths in an explosion. DeGuerin, Harper, and Morehart are killed when their limo is hit by a freight train orchestrated by Casteleone. Kruger and Lee drive off to start a new life.
- First release year
- 1996
- Runtime (minutes)
- 114
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Chuck Russell
- Writers
- Tony Puryear · story; Walon Green · story; Michael S. Chernuchin · story; Tony Puryear · screenplay; Walon Green · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- Arnold Schwarzenegger · John Kruger; Vanessa Williams · Lee Cullen; James Caan · DeGuerin; James Coburn; Robert Pastorelli
- Genres
- action
- Themes
- Betrayal; Duty; Corruption
- Tone and mood
- Action-packed; Mythic
- Premise and plot tags
- Witness Protection; Illegal Arms Deal; Mole Hunt
- Reception
- The film received mixed reviews from critics, who praised the performances and action but criticized the story. It was a commercial success, grossing $242 million against a $100 million budget.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 46% · review count: 59; Metacritic · score: 56 · scale: 100 · review count: 18
- Awards and nominations
- Academy Award · Best Sound Effects Editing · 1997 · Nominated
- Production trivia
- It was one of the first major films released on DVD.; The name of the Cyrez corporation was originally 'Cyrex' but was changed due to a protest.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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