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'{{short description|1998 film by John Frankenheimer}} {{Distinguish|text=[[47 Ronin (2013 film)|47 Ronin]]}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2018}} {{Infobox film | name = Ronin | image = Ronin movie 1998.jpg | caption = Theatrical release poster | director = [[John Frankenheimer]] | producer = [[Frank Mancuso Jr.]] | screenplay = {{Plainlist| * J.D. Zeik * [[David Mamet]]<br />(as Richard Weisz) <!-- Per discussion at [[Template_talk:Infobox_film#Query]] --> }} | story = J.D. Zeik | starring = {{Plainlist| * [[Robert De Niro]] * [[Jean Reno]] * [[Natascha McElhone]] * [[Stellan Skarsgård]] * [[Sean Bean]] * [[Jonathan Pryce]] }} | music = [[Elia Cmiral]] | cinematography = [[Robert Fraisse (cinematographer)|Robert Fraisse]] | editing = [[Tony Gibbs]] | production_companies = {{Plainlist| * [[United Artists]] * FGM Entertainment<ref name="bfi">{{cite web|title=Ronin (1998)|url=https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b80cec2a0|publisher=[[British Film Institute]]|access-date=December 11, 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171211163902/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b80cec2a0|archive-date=December 11, 2017}}</ref> }} | distributor = [[MGM Distribution Co.]]<ref name="variety"/> | released = {{Film date|1998|09|12|[[55th Venice International Film Festival|Venice Film Festival]]|1998|09|25|United States}} | runtime = 121 minutes<ref name="bbfc">{{cite web|title=Ronin (15)|url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/ronin-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0zmtgynjy|publisher=[[British Board of Film Classification]]|access-date=September 27, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170927113104/http://bbfc.co.uk/releases/ronin-2|archive-date=September 27, 2017}}</ref> <!-- see talk page; sources differ --> | country = United States<ref>{{cite web |title=Ronin (1998) |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/MovieDetails/61546 |publisher=[[American Film Institute]] |access-date=February 1, 2019}}</ref> | language = English<!-- Primary language only --><ref name="bbfc" /> | budget = $55 million<ref name="numbers" /> | gross = $70.7 million<ref name="numbers" /> }} '''''Ronin''''' is a 1998 American [[action thriller film]] directed by [[John Frankenheimer]] and written by John David Zeik and [[David Mamet]], under the pseudonym Richard Weisz. It stars an [[ensemble cast]] consisting of [[Robert De Niro]], [[Jean Reno]], [[Natascha McElhone]], [[Stellan Skarsgård]], [[Sean Bean]], and [[Jonathan Pryce]]. The film is about a team of former special operatives hired to steal a mysterious, heavily guarded briefcase while navigating a maze of shifting loyalties. The film was praised for its realistic car chases in [[Nice]] and [[Paris]]. Frankenheimer signed to direct Zeik's screenplay, which Mamet rewrote to expand De Niro's role and develop plot details, in 1997. The film was photographed by [[Robert Fraisse (cinematographer)|Robert Fraisse]] in his native France from November 3, 1997, to March 3, 1998. Professional racing car drivers coordinated and performed the vehicle stunts, and [[Elia Cmiral]] scored the film, his first for a major studio. ''Ronin'' premiered at the [[1998 Venice Film Festival]] before its general release on September 25. Critics were generally positive about the film's action, [[casting (performing arts)|casting]], and technical aspects, while the plot attracted criticism. The film underperformed at the box office, grossing $70.7 million on a $55 million budget. ''Ronin'', Frankenheimer's last well-received feature film,<ref name="tcm"/> was considered to be a return to form for the director. Film critic and historian [[Stephen Prince]] called the film Frankenheimer's "end-of-career masterpiece".{{sfn|Pomerance|Palmer|2011|p=87}} The car chases, which were favorably compared with those in ''[[Bullitt]]'' and ''[[The French Connection (film)|The French Connection]]'',<ref name="keeling">{{cite web|last1=Keeling|first1=Robert|title=Looking back at Ronin|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/looking-back-at-ronin/|website=Den of Geek!|date=April 16, 2018|location=United Kingdom|publisher=[[Dennis Publishing]]|access-date=May 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180508150016/http://www.denofgeek.com/uk/movies/ronin/55292/looking-back-at-ronin|archive-date=May 8, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="magid">{{cite magazine |last=Magid |first=Ron |title=Samurai Tactics |magazine=[[American Cinematographer]]|issn=0002-7928 |date=October 1998 |url=https://theasc.com/magazine/oct98/ronin/pg1.htm |access-date=May 15, 2013 |page=1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928150536/https://theasc.com/magazine/oct98/ronin/pg1.htm |archive-date=September 28, 2017}} * {{cite magazine |last=Magid |first=Ron |title=Samurai Tactics |magazine=American Cinematographer|issn=0002-7928 |date=October 1998 |url=https://theasc.com/magazine/oct98/ronin/pg2.htm |access-date=May 15, 2013 |page=2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061113141942/http://www.theasc.com/magazine/oct98/ronin/pg2.htm |archive-date=November 13, 2006|ref=none}} * {{cite magazine |last=Magid |first=Ron |title=Samurai Tactics |magazine=American Cinematographer|issn=0002-7928 |date=October 1998 |url=https://theasc.com/magazine/oct98/ronin/pg3.htm |access-date=May 15, 2013 |page=3 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061113141946/http://www.theasc.com/magazine/oct98/ronin/pg3.htm|archive-date=November 13, 2006|ref=none}} * {{cite magazine |last=Magid |first=Ron |title=Samurai Tactics |magazine=American Cinematographer|issn=0002-7928 |date=October 1998 |url=https://theasc.com/magazine/oct98/ronin/pg3.htm |access-date=May 15, 2013 |page=4 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061113141949/http://www.theasc.com/magazine/oct98/ronin/pg4.htm|archive-date=November 13, 2006|ref=none}} </ref> were included on several media outlets' lists as among the best depicted on film. == Plot == <!-- Please see [[WP:FILMPLOT]] before adding any material. The plot summary should be between 400-700 words. --> At a bistro in [[Montmartre]], [[Provisional Irish Republican Army|IRA]] operative Deirdre meets with two Americans, Sam and Larry, and a Frenchman, Vincent. She takes them to a warehouse where the Englishman Spence and the German Gregor are waiting. Conversations between the men show that they are all ex-government agents or ex-military-turned-mercenary. Deirdre briefs them on their mission: to attack a heavily armed convoy and steal a large, metallic briefcase. Its contents are never revealed. The team's first task before the main mission is to acquire weapons; this turns into a setup. Although the team survives and they get the weapons, Spence is exposed as a fraud by Sam. He is dismissed by Deirdre and the others continue the mission. As the team prepares, Deirdre meets with her handler, Seamus O'Rourke, who tells her that the [[Russian mafia]] is bidding for the case and that the team must intervene so that they don't get it. During a [[stakeout]], Sam and Deirdre act on their mutual attraction. Deirdre's team successfully ambushes the convoy at [[La Turbie]] and pursues the survivors to [[Nice]]. During the gunfight, Gregor steals the case and disappears. He negotiates selling it to the Russians, but his contact attempts to betray him. Gregor kills the contact, then has Mikhi — the Russian Mafioso in charge of the deal — agree to another meeting. The team tracks Gregor through one of Sam's old [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]] contacts and corners him in the [[Arles Amphitheatre]] during his meeting with two of Mikhi's men. Sam chases Gregor; Gregor flees but is caught by Seamus. Deirdre and Vincent confront the two Russian hoods, causing a shootout. Sam arrives to help, killing one, but catches a [[ricochet]] from the other when Vincent knocks away the henchman's gun in order to kill him. Seamus kills Larry and escapes with a reluctant Deirdre and the captured Gregor. Vincent takes Sam to a villa owned by his friend, Jean-Pierre. After removing the bullet and letting Sam recuperate, Jean-Pierre compares Sam's situation to the [[Forty-seven rōnin|tale of the 47 Ronin]]. Vincent asks Jean-Pierre to help them find Gregor and the Irish operatives. In [[Paris]], Gregor is persuaded through violent interrogation to give the case back to Seamus and Deirdre. After retrieving it from a post office, they are pursued by Sam and Vincent in a high-speed chase. Vincent shoots out their tire, sending their car off an unfinished overpass. Gregor escapes with the case while road workers rescue Deirdre and Seamus from the burning vehicle. Unsure where to go next, Sam and Vincent decide to track down the Russians; one of Jean-Pierre's contacts tells them they are involved with figure-skater (and Mikhi's girlfriend) Natacha Kirilova, who is appearing at [[Zénith Paris|Le Zénith]]. During Natacha's performance, Mikhi meets with Gregor, who says a sniper in the arena will shoot Natacha if Mikhi betrays him. Mikhi surprises Gregor by letting Natacha be killed by the sniper before Mikhi kills Gregor and takes the case. Amid the ensuing chaos from Natacha's shooting, Sam and Vincent leave the arena just in time to see Seamus kill Mikhi and steal the case. Sam and Vincent split up; Vincent pursues Seamus, but is wounded in a gunfight. Sam finds Deirdre waiting in a getaway car; he convinces her to leave after explaining that he is after Seamus, not the case. As she drives away, Seamus is forced to return to the arena as Sam gives chase. Seamus ambushes Sam, but is shot dead by Vincent before Seamus can kill Sam. Sam and Vincent have coffee in the bistro where they first met. A radio broadcast announces that a [[Good Friday Agreement|peace agreement]] between [[Sinn Féin]] and the [[Government of the United Kingdom|British government]] has been reached, partially as a result of Seamus's death. Sam keeps glancing at the door as patrons enter, but Vincent convinces Sam that Deirdre will not be coming back. They shake hands and part ways; Sam drives off with his CIA contact as Vincent pays the bill and leaves. == Cast == [[File:DeniroRenoMcElhoneSkarsBeanPryce.png|thumb|Top-billed cast of ''Ronin'': (''clockwise from top left'') Robert De Niro, Jean Reno, Stellan Skarsgård, Sean Bean, Natascha McElhone and Jonathan Pryce]] <!--- [[WP:NOTDATABASE]] - cast, order and roles per closing tombstone stand-alone credits, Pryce moved up from 9th to 6th per poster billing-block ---> {{cast listing| * [[Robert De Niro]] as Sam, an American mercenary formerly associated with the [[CIA]].<ref name="travers"/> According to director [[John Frankenheimer]], De Niro "was always dream casting" for the film.<ref name="commentary"/> * [[Jean Reno]] as Vincent, a French gunman who befriends Sam.<ref name="wapo"/>{{sfn|Pomerance|Palmer|2011|p=79}} Frankenheimer sought to establish the friendship between Reno's and De Niro's characters, which he considered pivotal to the story, and wanted to strengthen the off-screen bond between the actors.<ref name="commentary"/> * [[Natascha McElhone]] as Deirdre, an [[Irish Republican Army|IRA]] operative commissioned to steal a briefcase by Seamus O'Rourke.{{sfn|Pomerance|Palmer|2011|p=79}}<ref name="tvguide"/> An on-set dialect coach helped McElhone speak with a [[Ulster English|Northern Ireland accent]].<ref name="commentary"/> McElhone said she was thrilled to play the role because she portrayed a character that moved the action forward.<ref name="fast"/> * [[Stellan Skarsgård]] as Gregor, a German computer specialist formerly associated with the [[KGB]].{{sfn|Pomerance|Palmer|2011|p=79}} A fan of Skarsgård, Frankenheimer praised the Swedish actor for "bring[ing] so much to the role".<ref name="commentary"/> Skarsgård suggested Gregor had been abandoned by his wife and son, for which he became "quite suicidal and cold".<ref name="fast"/> * [[Sean Bean]] as Spence, an Englishman who purports to be a firearms specialist formerly associated with the [[Special Air Service|SAS]].<ref name="keeling"/>{{sfn|Armstrong|2008|p=157}} During production, Frankenheimer did not know what the future held for the character and considered having him killed off-screen after the team drives out of the warehouse, or snatched from a Paris street into a van driven by the IRA. Ultimately, he had Spence dismissed from the team.<ref name="commentary"/> Bean described the character as egotistic and "a little bit out of his depth".<ref name="fast"/> * [[Jonathan Pryce]] as Seamus O'Roarke, a rogue operative in pursuit of the case through Deirdre.{{sfn|Pomerance|Palmer|2011|p=79}}<ref name="tvguide">{{cite web|title=Ronin|url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/ronin/review/2030039809/|last=McDonagh|first=Maitland|author-link=Maitland McDonagh|work=[[TV Guide]]|access-date=December 19, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222052727/http://www.tvguide.com/movies/ronin/review/133279/|archive-date=December 22, 2017}}</ref> Like McElhone, the Welshman Pryce was coached to hone his Northern Irish accent.<ref name="commentary"/> * [[Skipp Sudduth]] as Larry, another American and the team's designated driver.{{sfn|Armstrong|2008|p=157}} Sudduth, who had appeared in Frankenheimer's ''[[George Wallace (film)|George Wallace]]'' (1997),<ref name="casting">{{cite web|title=''Ronin'': The Casting|url=http://www.cinemareview.com/production.asp?prodid=302|website=Cinema Review|access-date=May 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020924090204/http://www.cinemareview.com/production.asp?prodid=302|archive-date=September 24, 2002|url-status=live}}</ref> performed most of his character's driving stunts.<ref name="commentary"/> * [[Michael Lonsdale]] as Jean-Pierre, Vincent's friend and colleague whose pastime is creating [[miniature art|miniatures]].{{sfn|Pomerance|Palmer|2011|p=82}} Frankenheimer intended to make the character a miniature artist, partially due to his own love of creating miniatures.<ref name="commentary"/> The film was Lonsdale's third collaboration with Frankenheimer.<ref name="casting"/> * [[Jan Triska]] as the dapper gent, the first Russian to try and kill Gregor for the case }} In addition, [[Féodor Atkine]] plays Mikhi, the Russian who is buying the case, while East German Olympic and World Champion figure skater [[Katarina Witt]] has an extended cameo as Natacha Kirilova, a Russian Olympic and World Champion figure skater. == Production == [[File:John Frankenheimer on the set of "Andersonville" (cropped).JPG|thumb|''Ronin'' was the penultimate feature film of director John Frankenheimer (''pictured in 1995''), followed by ''[[Reindeer Games]]''.<ref name="bowie"/>]] In July 1997, ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' reported that Frankenheimer had signed to direct ''Ronin'', making it his fifth picture for [[United Artists]].<ref name="fleming">{{cite web |last1=Fleming |first1=Michael |title='Ronin' in from cold |url=https://variety.com/1997/film/news/ronin-in-from-cold-1116677552/ |website=Variety |date=July 2, 1997 |access-date=December 19, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181219055241/https://variety.com/1997/film/news/ronin-in-from-cold-1116677552/ |archive-date=December 19, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> Frankenheimer told the magazine he chose the project because it had a "very good script" and was "the kind of movie I'd love to go see&nbsp;... What I like is, it's a character-driven action picture, and I have done those before, with ''[[Black Sunday (1977 film)|Black Sunday]]'' and ''[[French Connection II]]''. It's not one of these [[Computer-generated imagery|CGI]] pictures, it's a film about people. It's not bigger than life, which I don't relate to that much."<ref name="fleming"/> He also saw it as an opportunity to apply his broad knowledge and understanding of France, especially [[Paris]], in which he resided for many years.<ref name="commentary">{{Cite AV media notes |title=Ronin |type=audio commentary |people=[[John Frankenheimer]] (director) |publisher=[[MGM Home Entertainment]]}}</ref> He added, "I would not have been able to do the film nearly as well anywhere else".<ref name="fast">{{cite video|title= Ronin: Filming in the Fast Lane|type=featurette|publisher=MGM Home Entertainment|people=John Frankenheimer|display-authors=etal|date=2004}}</ref> His films ''[[The Train (1964 film)|The Train]]'' (1964), ''[[Grand Prix (1966 film)|Grand Prix]]'' (1966), ''[[Impossible Object]]'' (1973), and ''French Connection II'' (1975) were shot in France.<ref name="magid"/> Many of ''Ronin''{{'}}s principal crew members had worked with Frankenheimer on television films; editor [[Tony Gibbs]] on ''George Wallace'', set designer Michael Z. Hanan on ''George Wallace'' and ''[[The Burning Season (1994 film)|The Burning Season]]'' (1994), and costume designer May Routh on ''[[Andersonville (film)|Andersonville]]'' (1996).<ref name="prod"/> Frankenheimer chose French cinematographer [[Robert Fraisse (cinematographer)|Robert Fraisse]] to help him achieve the look and style he wanted for the film. Fraisse impressed Frankenheimer with his work on the police thriller ''[[Citizen X]]'' (1995), which persuaded the director Fraisse could handle the more-than-2,000 setups he planned for ''Ronin''.<ref name="magid"/> [[Frank Mancuso Jr.]] served as the film's producer.<ref name="fleming"/> According to Frankenheimer, French authorities helped him circumvent a strict Paris ordinance that prohibited film productions from firing guns in the city. This was enacted because many civilians had been complaining about the gunfire noise produced by film shoots. Additional factors influenced the decision; officials' desire for an American action film like ''Ronin'', few of which had been filmed there since the law was passed, to be filmed in Paris and the desire to boost France's reputation as a filming location.<ref name="commentary"/> === Screenplay === Writer John David Zeik, a newcomer to film,<ref name="latimes">{{cite web |last=Harrison |first=Eric |title=Mamet Versus Writers Guild, the Action Thriller Sequel |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=August 5, 1998 |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-aug-05-ca-10109-story.html |access-date=May 15, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130911230246/http://articles.latimes.com/1998/aug/05/entertainment/ca-10109 |archive-date=September 11, 2013 }}</ref> conceived the idea for ''Ronin'' after reading [[James Clavell]]'s novel ''[[Shōgun (novel)|Shōgun]]'' at the age of 15.<ref name="prod">{{cite web|title=''Ronin'': About the Production|url=http://www.cinemareview.com/production.asp?prodid=301|website=Cinema Review|access-date=October 28, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020924090320/http://www.cinemareview.com/production.asp?prodid=301|archive-date=September 24, 2002}}</ref> It gave him background information on ''[[rōnin]]'' (masterless samurai), which he incorporated into a screenplay years later. On choosing France as the story's key location, Zeik said: "Many years later in Nice, the location of one of the key set pieces of the story, I stared into the sun and saw the silhouettes of five heavily armed [[Gendarmerie|Gendarmes]] crossing the [[Promenade des Anglais]]. That image made me realize that I wanted to set the film in France."<ref name="prod"/> Accounts differ as to the screenplay's authorship. According to Zeik's attorney, Playwright [[David Mamet]] was brought in shortly before production to expand De Niro's role and add a female love interest. Although Mamet rewrote several scenes, his contributions were minor according to Zeik's account. Frankenheimer said Mamet's contributions were more significant: "The credits should read: 'Story by J.D. Zeik, screenplay by David Mamet'. We didn't shoot a line of Zeik's script."<ref name="latimes"/> Frankenheimer later retracted this in a September 1998 [[open letter]] published in ''Variety'', writing that "J.D. Zeik is unequivocally entitled to the first position screenwriting credit as well as the sole story credit he was awarded by the [[Writers Guild of America|WGA]]&nbsp;... [He] deserves recognition for his significant contribution to this film, and I am proud to have worked with him".<ref>{{cite web |last=Frankenheimer |first=John |title=Open letter on J.D. Zeik |url=https://imgur.com/a/11TeuIS |work=Variety |page=21 |date=September 23, 1998 |access-date=December 20, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181220151226/https://imgur.com/a/11TeuIS |archive-date=December 20, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> When he learned he would have to share credit with Zeik, Mamet insisted on being credited with the pseudonym Richard Weisz because he had earlier decided to attach his name only to projects for which he was the sole writer.<ref name="latimes"/> === Filming and cinematography === [[File:Blue Sky Restaurant.jpg|thumb|left|alt=Boarded-up corner building|Facade of a [[Montmartre]] bistro in 2011. Because the building was empty, the crew constructed an interior set seen from the stairs.<ref name="magid"/><ref name="fraisse">{{cite video|title=Through the Lens |type=featurette|publisher=MGM Home Entertainment|people=[[Robert Fraisse (cinematographer)|Robert Fraisse]] (director of photography)|year=2004}}</ref>]] ''Ronin'' was produced on a budget of $55 million.<ref name="numbers"/> [[Principal photography]] lasted 78 days,<ref name="magid"/> beginning on November 3, 1997, in an abandoned workshop at [[Aubervilliers]].<ref name="photography">{{cite web|title=''Ronin'': About The Photography|url=http://www.cinemareview.com/production.asp?prodid=303|website=Cinema Review|access-date=October 2, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020924090248/http://www.cinemareview.com/production.asp?prodid=303|archive-date=September 24, 2002}}</ref> Scenes at [[Porte des Lilas (Paris Métro)|Porte des Lilas]] and the historic [[Arles Amphitheatre]] were filmed that November; the crew then filmed at the [[Hotel Barrière Le Majestic Cannes|Hotel Majestic]] in [[Cannes]], [[La Turbie]], and [[Villefranche-sur-Mer|Villefranche]].<ref name="photography"/> Production was suspended for Christmas on December 19 and resumed on January 5, 1998, at [[Épinay-sur-Seine|Épinay]], where the crew built two interior sets on [[sound stage]]s; one for the bistro in [[Montmartre]] and another for the rural farmhouse,<ref name="photography"/> both of which also have exterior location shots.<ref name="commentary"/> The climactic scene with a panicked crowd at [[Zénith Paris|Le Zénith]] required about 2,000 [[Extra (acting)|extras]], who were supervised by French casting director Margot Capelier.<ref name="commentary"/> Filming concluded at [[La Défense]] on March 3, 1998.<ref name="photography"/> Because there were no [[second unit]] director and camera operator to film the action scenes, Frankenheimer and cinematographer Robert Fraisse supervised them for an additional 30 days after the main unit finished filming.<ref name="magid"/><ref name="arrow">{{cite video|title=Close Up: An Interview with Robert Fraisse |type=featurette|publisher=[[Arrow Video]]|people=Robert Fraisse (director of photography)|year=2017}}</ref> The first major car-chase scene was shot in [[La Turbie]] and Nice; the rest were filmed in areas of Paris including La Défense and the [[Pont du Garigliano]].<ref name="photography"/>{{sfn|Crosse|2006|p=42}} Scenes set in a road tunnel were filmed at night because it was impossible to block tunnel traffic during the day.<ref name="driving"/> The freeway chase, in which the actors dodge oncoming vehicles, was filmed in four hours on a closed road.<ref name="driving">{{cite video|title=The Driving of Ronin |type=featurette|publisher=MGM Home Entertainment|people=Jean-Claude Lagniez (car stunt coordinator)|date=2004}}</ref> Frankenheimer's affinity for deep [[depth of field]] led him to shoot the film entirely with [[wide-angle lens]]es ranging in [[focal length]] from 18 to 35&nbsp;mm using the [[Super 35]] format, both of which allow more of the scene to be included in each shot as well as the freedom to reframe the movie for [[Fullscreen (aspect ratio)|Full Screen]] presentation.<ref name="commentary"/><ref name="fraisse"/> The director also avoided bright primary colors to preserve a [[History of film|first-generation-of-film]] quality.<ref name="commentary"/> He advised the actors and extras not to wear bright colors and had the film processed with [[Deluxe Entertainment Services Group|Deluxe]]'s [[Bleach bypass|Color Contrast Enhancement]] (CCE), "a silver-retention method of processing film that deepens blacks, reduces color, and heightens the visible appearance of film grain".<ref name="commentary"/>{{sfn|Pomerance|Palmer|2011|p=85}} Fraisse said he used a variety of cameras, including [[Panaflex]]es for dialogue scenes and [[Arriflex 435]]s and 35-IIIs for the car chases, to facilitate Frankenheimer's demands.<ref name="magid"/> [[Steadicam]], a camera stabilizer used for half of the shoot, was operated by the director's longtime collaborator David Crone.<ref name="magid"/> According to Frankenheimer, 2,200 shots were filmed.<ref name="commentary"/> === Stunts === [[File:450SELI 0411.jpg|thumb|alt=Older red four-door sedan|The [[Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9]] was Frankenheimer's favorite Mercedes model due to its appearance and "great, big powerful engine", and he used it as the protagonist's car in ''Ronin''{{'s}} first major car chase.<ref name="commentary"/>]] Frankenheimer avoided using special effects in the car-chase scenes, [[previsualization|previsualizing]] them with [[storyboard]]s and used the same camera mounts as those used on [[Grand Prix (1966 film)|''Grand Prix'']].<ref name="commentary"/> The actors were placed inside the cars while being driven at up to {{convert|100|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}, by [[Formula One]] driver [[Jean-Pierre Jarier]], and high-performance drivers Jean-Claude Lagniez and Michel Neugarten.<ref name="magid"/> The actors had enrolled at a high-performance driving school before production began.<ref name="commentary"/> According to Lagniez, the car-stunt coordinator, it was a priority not to cheat the speed by adjusting the [[frame rate]]; he said, "When you do, it affects the lighting. It is different at 20 frames than at 24 frames."<ref name="driving"/> However, Fraisse said: "Sometimes, but not very often, we did shoot at 22 frames per second, or 21."<ref name="magid"/> [[Point-of-view shot]]s from cameras mounted below the cars' front [[Fender (vehicle)|fender]] were used to deliver a heightened sense of speed.<ref name="commentary"/><ref>{{cite book|last1=Lane|first1=Anthony|author-link=Anthony Lane|title=Nobody's Perfect: Writings from The New Yorker|publisher=[[Vintage Books]]|location=New York|isbn=978-0-375-71434-4|pages=249–253|edition=1st|year=2002}}</ref> For the final chase scene, which used 300 stunt drivers,<ref name="commentary"/> the production team bought four [[BMW 5 Series (E34)#535i|BMW 535i]]s and five [[Peugeot 406]]s;{{efn|In the DVD commentary, Frankenheimer says four BMWs and five Peugeots were purchased for the chase scene,<ref name="commentary"/> namely the BMW 535i and Peugeot 406.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Kennouche|first1=Sofiane|title=The greatest drivers' cars to ever feature in movies|url=https://www.evo.co.uk/features/15650/the-greatest-drivers-cars-to-ever-feature-in-movies|access-date=May 9, 2018|work=[[Evo (magazine)|Evo]]|publisher=Dennis Publishing|location=United Kingdom|date=April 1, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180509124056/http://www.evo.co.uk/features/15650/the-greatest-drivers-cars-to-ever-feature-in-movies|archive-date=May 9, 2018}}</ref>}} one of each was cut in half and towed by a [[Mercedes-Benz 500 E]] while the actors were inside them.<ref name="commentary"/> Right-hand drive versions of the cars were also purchased; a dummy steering wheel was installed on the left side while the stunt drivers drove the speeding vehicles.<ref name="commentary"/><ref name="driving"/> The final chase had very little music because Frankenheimer thought music and sound effects do not blend well. Sound engineer [[Mike Le Mare]] recorded all of the film's cars on a racetrack, mixing them later in post-production.<ref name="commentary"/> Frankenheimer refused to film the gunfights in [[slow motion]], believing onscreen violence should be depicted in real time.<ref name="commentary"/> Mick Gould, the film's technical advisor and a former instructor in the advanced training wings of the [[Special Air Service]], trained the cast in weapons-handling and guerilla military tactics.<ref name="prod"/><ref>{{cite web |title=About |url=http://mickgould.net/about-mick/ |website=Mick Gould |access-date=6 December 2021 |date=30 April 2014}}</ref> The physical stunts were coordinated by Joe Dunne.<ref name="variety"/> === Alternative endings === Frankenheimer filmed two additional versions of the film's ending. In the first, Deirdre (McElhone) waits on the stairs next to the bistro and considers joining Sam (De Niro) and Vincent (Reno). Deciding against it, she walks up the stairs. As she gets into her car, IRA men drag her into a van and call her a traitor; it is implied that she is later killed. Sam and Vincent, unaware of Deidre's abduction, finish their conversation and depart. Although Frankenheimer said the test audience "hated" the ending because they did not want to see Deirdre die, he thought it "really worked".<ref name="commentary"/> In the second ending, Deirdre walks to her car after Sam and Vincent leave the bistro; this ending was also rejected because it verged on being "too Hollywood", hinting at a sequel. Frankenheimer yielded to the test audience's response with a compromise ending; he said, "with the tremendous investment MGM/UA had in this movie, you have to kind of listen to the audience".<ref name="commentary"/> === Music === [[Jerry Goldsmith]] was originally commissioned to compose the score for ''Ronin'' but left the project.<ref name="sountracknet">{{cite news|last1=Goldwasser|first1=Dan|title=A Look at ''Ronin'' with Elia Cmiral|url=https://www.soundtrack.net/content/article/?id=9|access-date=September 27, 2017|website=[[Soundtrack.Net]]|date=November 15, 1998|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170927202300/https://www.soundtrack.net/content/article/?id=9|archive-date=September 27, 2017}}</ref><ref name="ign">{{cite news|last1=Plume|first1=Kenneth|title=Interview with Composer Elia Cmiral|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/07/07/interview-with-composer-elia-cmiral|access-date=September 27, 2017|website=IGN|date=July 7, 2000|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170927203944/http://www.ign.com/articles/2000/07/07/interview-with-composer-elia-cmiral|archive-date=September 27, 2017}}</ref> MGM executive vice-president for music Michael Sandoval assembled an [[A-list]] to replace Goldsmith.<ref name="sountracknet"/> From Sandoval's three choices, Frankenheimer hired Czech composer [[Elia Cmíral]],<ref name="commentary"/><ref name="sountracknet"/> who said he "was far away from being even a 'B' composer at that time".<ref name="ign"/> Cmíral attended a private screening of the film's final version and considered its main theme, which at Frankenheimer's behest would incorporate qualities of "sadness, loneliness, and heroism".<ref name="sountracknet"/> To achieve this, Cmíral performed with the [[duduk]], an ancient, [[double-reed]] [[woodwind instrument|woodwind]] flute that originated in [[Armenia]].<ref name="cmiral">{{cite video |date = 2004 | title = Composing the Ronin Score |people=[[Elia Cmíral]] (composer) | type = featurette | publisher=MGM Home Entertainment}}</ref> Cmíral sent a demonstration to Frankenheimer, who "loved" it, and was signed as the film's composer.<ref name="sountracknet"/> Cmíral's piece "Ronin Theme" was used for the opening scenes.<ref name="sountracknet"/><ref name="allmusic">{{cite web|title=Ronin [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack]|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/ronin-original-motion-picture-soundtrack-mw0000044016|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=September 27, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170927202414/http://www.allmusic.com/album/ronin-original-motion-picture-soundtrack-mw0000044016|archive-date=September 27, 2017}}</ref> Cmíral's score for ''Ronin'', his first for a [[major film studio]],<ref name="cmiral"/> was recorded in seven weeks at CTS Studio in London.<ref name="sountracknet"/><ref name="allmusic"/> It was orchestrated and conducted by [[Nick Ingman]], edited by [[Mike Flicker]], and recorded and mixed by [[John Whynot]].<ref name="sountracknet"/> [[Varèse Sarabande]] released the soundtrack album on [[compact disc]] in September 1998.<ref name="allmusic"/> For [[AllMusic]], Jason Ankeny rated the album 4.5 out of 5 and called it a "profoundly visceral listening experience, illustrating an expert grasp of pacing and atmosphere".<ref name="allmusic"/> == Reception == === Box office === ''Ronin'' had its world premiere at the [[55th Venice International Film Festival|1998 Venice Film Festival]] on September 12,{{sfn|Pomerance|Palmer|2011|p=285}} before a wide release on September 25.<ref name="bommain">{{cite web|title=Ronin (1998)|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=main&id=ronin.htm|website=[[Box Office Mojo]]|access-date=September 28, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928103432/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=main&id=ronin.htm|archive-date=September 28, 2017}}</ref> ''Ronin'' fared moderately well at the box office;{{sfn|Armstrong|2008|p=160}} it was the second-highest-grossing film in the United States during its opening weekend, grossing $16.7 million behind the action-comedy ''[[Rush Hour (1998 film)|Rush Hour]]''{{'}}s $26.7 million, at 2,643 locations.<ref>{{cite web|title=Weekly Box Office: September 25 – October 1, 1998|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekly/1998W39/|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=September 28, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928103209/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekly/chart/?yr=1998&wk=39&p=.htm|archive-date=September 28, 2017}}</ref> The film dropped to fifth place on its second weekend and to seventh on its third, grossing $7.2 million and $4.7 million, respectively, at 2,487 locations.<ref name="weekend">{{cite web|title=Ronin (1998): Weekend|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl2389476865/weekend/|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=September 28, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928103430/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=weekend&id=ronin.htm|archive-date=September 28, 2017}}</ref> It dropped further until its sixth weekend, when it grossed $1.1 million (13th place) at 1,341 locations.<ref name="weekend"/> The film ended its theatrical run with a gross of $41.6 million in the U.S. and Canada, and $70.7 million worldwide.<ref name="numbers">{{cite web|title=Ronin (1998)|url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Ronin#tab=summary|access-date=September 28, 2017|website=[[The Numbers (website)|The Numbers]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928103227/http://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Ronin#tab=summary|archive-date=September 28, 2017}}</ref><ref name="bommain"/> ''Ronin'' was 1998's 11th-highest-grossing [[Motion Picture Association of America film rating system#MPAA film ratings|R-rated]] film.<ref>{{cite web|title=1998 Yearly Box Office by MPAA Rating: All R Rated Releases|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/mpaarating.htm?rating=R&yr=1998&p=.htm|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=September 28, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170707143034/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/mpaarating.htm?rating=R&yr=1998&p=.htm|archive-date=July 7, 2017}}</ref> === Critical response === Critical reception to ''Ronin'' was favorable;{{sfn|Armstrong|2008|p=157}} critics praised its ensemble cast, with many singling out Robert De Niro.<ref name="variety">{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/1998/film/reviews/ronin-1200455207/|title=Review: 'Ronin'|last=McCarthy|first=Todd|author-link=Todd McCarthy|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=September 14, 1998|access-date=July 29, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170331025624/http://variety.com/1998/film/reviews/ronin-1200455207/|archive-date=March 31, 2017}}</ref><ref name="travers">{{cite magazine|last1=Travers|first1=Peter|author-link=Peter Travers|title=Ronin|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/ronin-19980925|access-date=September 29, 2017|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=September 25, 1998|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170930105657/http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/ronin-19980925|archive-date=September 30, 2017}}</ref><ref name="ebert">{{cite news |last=Ebert |first=Roger |author-link=Roger Ebert |title=Ronin |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/ronin-1998 |website=[[RogerEbert.com]] |access-date=November 9, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110051824/http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/ronin-1998 |archive-date=November 10, 2013 }}</ref><ref name="maslin">{{cite news |last=Maslin |first=Janet |author-link=Janet Maslin |url=https://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9B01EEDD1739F936A1575AC0A96E958260&partner=Rotten%2520Tomatoes |title=Film Review; Real Tough Guys, Real Derring-Do |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=September 25, 1998 |access-date=May 9, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180509063002/https://www.nytimes.com/1998/09/25/movies/film-review-real-tough-guys-real-derring-do.html |archive-date=May 9, 2018 }}</ref> [[Todd McCarthy]] in ''Variety'' credited De Niro with sustaining the film<ref name="variety"/> but a reviewer from the ''[[Chicago Reader]]'' disagreed.<ref name="chicoreader">{{cite web|last1=Alspector|first1=Lisa|title=Ronin|url=https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/ronin/Film?oid=1057699|website=[[Chicago Reader]]|date=October 26, 1985|access-date=September 29, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160814003319/http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/ronin/Film?oid=1057699|archive-date=August 14, 2016}}</ref> The film's action scenes, particularly the car chases, were generally praised;<ref name="variety"/>{{sfn|Armstrong|2008|p=157}} [[Janet Maslin]] in ''The New York Times'' called them "nothing short of sensational".<ref name="maslin"/> These scenes were criticized by ''[[The Washington Post]]'' for their length<ref name="wapo">{{cite news|last1=O'Sullivan|first1=Michael|title=Run-of-the-Mill 'Ronin'|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/movies/reviews/roninosullivan.htm?movieslede=y|access-date=September 29, 2017|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=September 25, 1998|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410121336/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/movies/reviews/roninosullivan.htm?movieslede=y|archive-date=April 10, 2016}}</ref> and by McCarthy for their excessive [[jump cut]]s.<ref name="variety"/> Robert Fraisse's cinematography was routinely praised;<ref name="variety"/><ref name="travers"/> Michael Wilmington in the ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'' called it superficially attractive and entertaining.<ref name="tribune">{{cite news|last1=Wilmington|first1=Michael|title=Spy Vs. Spy|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1998-09-25-9809250001-story.html|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=September 25, 1998|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181022154138/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1998-09-25-9809250001-story.html|access-date=October 22, 2018|archive-date=October 22, 2018}}</ref> Although the plot was criticized by the ''Chicago Reader'' as dull and ''The Washington Post'' as derivative,<ref name="wapo"/><ref name="chicoreader"/> Wilmington called it a "familiar but taut tale".<ref name="tribune"/> Some reviewers singled out the espionage scene in which De Niro and Natascha McElhone pose as tourists and photograph their targets at a Cannes hotel as one of the film's best.<ref name="variety"/><ref name="wapo"/> Critics also evaluated Frankenheimer because the broad acclaim he received with the political thriller ''[[The Manchurian Candidate (1962 film)|The Manchurian Candidate]]'' (1962) established him as a director.<ref name="travers"/><ref name="ebert"/><ref name="tribune"/> Many said he was influenced by the works of fellow filmmaker and close friend [[Jean-Pierre Melville]], particularly Melville's [[neo-noir]] film ''[[Le Samouraï]]'' (1967),{{sfn|Armstrong|2008|p=160}}<ref>{{cite news|title=Ronin Review|last=Stratton|first=David|author-link=David Stratton|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/movies/review/ronin-review|access-date=January 17, 2018|publisher=[[SBS (Australian TV channel)|SBS]]|year=1999|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180117050142/https://www.sbs.com.au/movies/review/ronin-review|archive-date=January 17, 2018}}</ref> but McCarthy wrote that ''Ronin'' lacks Melville's "world-weary, existential ennui".<ref name="variety"/> The film was considered to be a return to form for Frankenheimer,<ref name="bowie">{{cite magazine |last=Bowie |first=Stephen |title=Great Directors: John Frankenheimer |magazine=[[Senses of Cinema]] |date=November 2006 |issn=1443-4059 |url=http://www.sensesofcinema.com/2006/great-directors/frankenheimer/ |access-date=May 15, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130602182316/http://sensesofcinema.com/2006/great-directors/frankenheimer/ |archive-date=June 2, 2013 }}</ref>{{sfn|Pomerance|Palmer|2011|p=78}} whose [[Emmy Awards]] for the television films ''[[Against the Wall (1994 film)|Against the Wall]]'' (1994), ''The Burning Season'', ''Andersonville'' and ''George Wallace'' had resurrected his career, after it lost momentum during the 1970s and 1980s due to the director's alcohol addiction.<ref name="tcm">{{cite web|title=John Frankenheimer: Biography|url=https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/person/65276%7C85719/John-Frankenheimer/biography.html|website=[[Turner Classic Movies]]|publisher=[[Turner Broadcasting System]] ([[Time Warner]])|access-date=March 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614072621/http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/person/65276%7C85719/John-Frankenheimer/biography.html|archive-date=June 14, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="travers"/> ''Ronin'' was Frankenheimer's last well-received feature film;<ref name="tcm"/> Wilmington called it the director's best theatrical film in decades despite lacking ''The Manchurian Candidate''{{'s}} "blazing invention",<ref name="tribune"/> and [[Stephen Prince]] called the film his "end-of-career masterpiece".{{sfn|Pomerance|Palmer|2011|p=87}} Prince wrote: <blockquote>With ''Ronin'', Frankenheimer vindicated his cinematic talents and aesthetic preferences. The film is stylistically bonded with the principles of his work as found in the earliest and best period of his career. Its aesthetic of realism places it with ''[[Grand Prix (1966 film)|Grand Prix]]'', ''[[The Train (1964 film)|The Train]]'', and ''[[The Gypsy Moths]]'', and its minimalist conception of character and narrative detail bonds it to those productions as well. Frankenheimer had not lost his touch as a filmmaker, far from it. ''Ronin'' is smart, sharp, and witty, and it shows a greater facility for visual storytelling than most films made today, by younger directors, can muster.{{sfn|Pomerance|Palmer|2011|p=87}}</blockquote> == Post-release == === Home media === In February 1999, [[MGM Home Entertainment]] released ''Ronin'' as a double-sided [[DVD]] that contained versions in [[widescreen]] and [[Fullscreen (aspect ratio)|full screen]] formats, and [[Dolby Digital#Dolby Digital|Dolby Digital 5.1]] sound.<ref name="allmovie">{{cite web|title=Ronin (1998): Releases|url=https://www.allmovie.com/movie/ronin-v173448/releases|website=[[AllMovie]]|access-date=September 28, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130619204308/http://www.allmovie.com/movie/ronin-v173448/releases|archive-date=June 19, 2013}}</ref> The DVD also contains the [[alternative ending]] and an audio commentary by John Frankenheimer, who discusses the film's production history.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Hunt|first1=Bill|title=Ronin – DVD review|url=https://www.thedigitalbits.com/site_archive/reviews/ronin.html|website=The Digital Bits|publisher=[[Internet Brands]]|access-date=September 28, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928150524/https://www.thedigitalbits.com/site_archive/reviews/ronin.html|archive-date=September 28, 2017}}</ref> MGM released a [[special edition]] DVD of the film in October 2004 and a two-disc collector's edition in May 2006, both of which have additional cast and crew interviews.<ref name="allmovie"/> It was released on [[Blu-ray]] with its theatrical trailer in February 2009.<ref>{{cite web|last=Krauss|first=David|title=Ronin Blu-ray review|url=https://bluray.highdefdigest.com/1089/ronin.html|website=High-Def Digest|publisher=Internet Brands|date=March 5, 2009|access-date=September 28, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928193258/http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/1089/ronin.html|archive-date=September 28, 2017}}</ref> In August 2017, [[Arrow Video]] released a special edition Blu-ray with a [[4K resolution]] restoration from the [[original camera negative]] that was supervised and approved by cinematographer Robert Fraisse.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Kauffman|first1=Jeffrey|title=Ronin Blu-ray|url=https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Ronin-Blu-ray/179468/#Review|website=Blu-ray.com|publisher=Internet Brand|access-date=May 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171022140924/http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Ronin-Blu-ray/179468/#Review|archive-date=October 22, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Arrow's Blu-ray also includes archival bonus features that originally appeared on the MGM special edition DVD,<ref>{{cite web|last1=Hunt|first1=Bill|title=Ronin (Arrow – Blu-ray Review)|url=http://thedigitalbits.com/item/ronin-arrow-bd|website=The Digital Bits|date=August 14, 2017|publisher=Internet Brands|access-date=May 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171009012543/http://www.thedigitalbits.com/item/ronin-arrow-bd|archive-date=October 9, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> together with Fraisse talking about his early cinematography career and his involvement with ''Ronin''.<ref name="dvdtalk">{{cite web|last1=Spurlin|first1=Thomas|title=Ronin: Arrow Video Special Edition (Blu-ray)|url=https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/72384/ronin-arrow-special-edition/|access-date=September 28, 2017|website=[[DVD Talk]]|publisher=Internet Brands|date=August 29, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170918145331/http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/72384/ronin-arrow-special-edition/|archive-date=September 18, 2017}}</ref> === {{anchor|Style and inspirations}} Cinematic analysis === [[File:HokusaiChushingura.jpg|thumb|alt=Old drawing of warriors attacking a building|The 18th-century Japanese revenge of the forty-seven ''rōnin'' was the film's central metaphor.{{sfn|Pomerance|Palmer|2011|p=82}}]] The film's title was derived from the Japanese legend of ''[[rōnin]]'', samurai whose [[wikt:feudal lord|leader]] was killed and left them with no one to serve, and roamed the countryside as mercenaries and bandits to regain a sense of purpose.{{sfn|Armstrong|2008|p=159}} In Frankenheimer's film, the ''rōnin'' are former intelligence operatives who are unemployed at the end of the Cold War; devoid of purpose, they become highly-paid mercenaries. [[Michael Lonsdale]]'s character elaborates on the analogy in an anecdote about the [[Forty-seven rōnin|forty-seven ''rōnin'']] told with [[miniature art|miniatures]], comparing the film's characters to the 18th-century ''rōnin'' of Japan.{{sfn|Armstrong|2008|p=158}} In his essay, "Action and Abstraction in ''Ronin''", [[Stephen Prince]] wrote that the ''rōnin'' metaphor explores themes of "service, honor, and obligation to complex ways by showing that service may entail betrayal and that honor may be measured according to disparate terms".{{sfn|Pomerance|Palmer|2011|p=83}} According to Stephen B. Armstrong, "Arguably Frankenheimer uses this story to highlight and contrast the moral and social weakness that characterize the band of ''rōnin'' in his film".{{sfn|Armstrong|2008|p=159}} The film features a [[MacGuffin]] plot device in the form of a briefcase, the contents of which are important but unknown.{{sfn|Pomerance|Palmer|2011|p=79}}<ref name="tribune"/> ''Chicago Sun-Times'' critic [[Roger Ebert]] wrote that its content is identical to that of the equally-mysterious case in [[Quentin Tarantino]]'s ''[[Pulp Fiction]]'' (1994),<ref name="ebert"/> also a MacGuffin.<ref>{{cite news|title=Top 10 Movie MacGuffin|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/05/20/top-10-movie-macguffins|access-date=February 24, 2021|website=[[IGN]]|date=May 21, 2008|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171216204647/http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/05/20/top-10-movie-macguffins|archive-date=December 16, 2017}}</ref> Michael Wilmington of the ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'' called ''Ronin'' an homage to ''[[The French Connection (film)|The French Connection]]'' (1971), ''[[The Parallax View]]'' (1974), and ''[[Three Days of the Condor]]'' (1975); thriller films known for their lack of visual effects.<ref name="tribune"/> [[Maitland McDonagh]] of ''[[TV Guide]]'' also compared the film to ''[[The Day of the Jackal (film)|The Day of the Jackal]]'' (1973)<ref name="tvguide"/> and noted similarities between ''Ronin''{{'}}s opening scene and that of Tarantino's ''[[Reservoir Dogs]]'' (1992), in which a group of professional killers who have not met before assemble.<ref name="tribune"/> According to Armstrong, the film's plot observes the conventions of [[heist film]]s.{{sfn|Armstrong|2008|p=159}} Frankenheimer employed a [[hyperrealism|hyperrealistic]] aesthetic in his films "to make them look realer than real, because reality by itself can be very boring", and saw them as having a tinge of [[semi-documentary]].<ref name="commentary"/> He credited [[Gillo Pontecorvo]]'s ''[[The Battle of Algiers]]'' (1966), a film he considered flawless and more influential than any other he had seen, with inspiring this style.<ref name="commentary"/> According to Prince, "Frankenheimer's success at working in this realist style, avoiding special effects trickery, places the car chase in ''Ronin'' in the same rarefied class as the celebrated chase in ''[[Bullitt]]'' (1968)".{{sfn|Pomerance|Palmer|2011|p=84}} The director credited the Russian film ''[[The Cranes Are Flying]]'' (1957) with inspiring [[invisible cut]]s in ''Ronin''. On the film's DVD audio commentary, Frankenheimer notes a [[wipe (transition)|wipe]] during the opening scenes made by two extras walking across the frame, which becomes a [[tracking shot]] of Jean Reno entering the bistro. His intention for the cut was to conceal the fact that the bistro's interior was a set; its exterior was filmed on location.<ref name="commentary"/> == Legacy == === Modern reception === {{RT prose|{{RT data|score}}|{{RT data|average}}|{{RT data|count}}|''Ronin'' earns comparisons to ''The French Connection'' with strong action, dynamic road chase scenes, and solid performances.|ref=yes|access-date=2023-02-07}} In 2019, Rotten Tomatoes' Alex Vo ranked ''Ronin'' No. 101 on his list of the "140 Essential Action Movies To Watch Now".<ref>{{cite web |title=140 Essential Action Movies To Watch Now |first=Alex |last=Vo |date=June 2019 |website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |publisher=[[Fandango Media]] |url=https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/guide/140-essential-action-movies-to-watch-now/ |access-date=July 27, 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190609045857/https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/guide/140-essential-action-movies-to-watch-now/ |archive-date=2019-06-09}}</ref> {{MC film|67|23|ref=yes|access-date=2023-02-07}} ''Ronin''{{'s}} car chases were included on several media outlets' lists of the best depicted on film, including [[CNN]] (No. 2),<ref>{{cite news|last1=Howie|first1=Craig|title=Top 10 movie car chase scenes|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/wayoflife/03/27/aa.top.ten.movie.car.chases/|access-date=January 5, 2018|website=[[CNN]]|date=March 27, 2009|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151221150629/http://edition.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/wayoflife/03/27/aa.top.ten.movie.car.chases/|archive-date=December 21, 2015}}</ref> ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' (No. 12),<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Cruz|first1=Gilbert|title=The 15 Greatest Movie Car Chases of All Time|url=https://entertainment.time.com/2011/05/05/the-15-greatest-movie-car-chases-of-all-time/slide/ronin-1998/|access-date=September 29, 2017|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|date=May 1, 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907050159/http://entertainment.time.com/2011/05/05/the-15-greatest-movie-car-chases-of-all-time/slide/ronin-1998/|archive-date=September 7, 2015}}</ref> [[Fandango Media|Fandango]] (No. 6),<ref>{{cite web |title=The All-Time Top 10 Movie Car Chases |url=https://www.fandango.com/movie-photos/the-all-time-top-10-movie-car-chases-65 |publisher=[[Fandango Media|Fandango]] |year=2012 |access-date=March 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190305120107/https://www.fandango.com/movie-photos/the-all-time-top-10-movie-car-chases-65 |archive-date=March 5, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]'' (No. 25),<ref>{{cite web |last1=Z |first1=Alex |title=The 50 Craziest Car Chase Scenes In Movie History |url=https://www.complex.com/sports/2012/03/the-50-craziest-car-chase-scenes-in-movie-history/ |website=Complex |date=March 4, 2012 |access-date=March 5, 2019}}</ref> ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' (No. 10),<ref>{{cite news|last1=Billson|first1=Anne|title=The 13 best car chases in film|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/11000985/The-13-ultimate-car-chases-in-film.html|access-date=December 24, 2017|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|date=August 1, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171203222710/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/11000985/The-13-ultimate-car-chases-in-film.html|archive-date=December 3, 2017}}</ref> ''[[PopMatters]]'' (No. 9),<ref>{{cite news|last1=Gibron|first1=Bill|title=The 10 Best Car Chase Films|url=https://www.popmatters.com/191950-the-10-best-car-chase-films-2495544680.html|page=1|access-date=January 5, 2018|work=[[PopMatters]]|date=April 2, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180105140958/https://www.popmatters.com/191950-the-10-best-car-chase-films-2495544680.html|archive-date=January 5, 2018}}</ref> [[IGN]] (No. 9),<ref>{{cite web|last1=Vejvoda|first1=Jim|title=Best Car Chases in Movies|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2016/09/29/best-car-chases-in-movies?page=2|page=2|access-date=February 24, 2021|website=IGN|date=September 30, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170420195942/http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/09/29/best-car-chases-in-movies?page=2|archive-date=April 20, 2017}}</ref> [[Screen Rant]] (No. 8),<ref>{{cite news|last1=Browne|first1=Ben|title=15 Best Chase Movies Of All Time|url=https://screenrant.com/best-chase-movies-sequences-ever-all-time/|access-date=December 24, 2017|website=[[Screen Rant]]|date=March 3, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170617132409/http://screenrant.com/best-chase-movies-sequences-ever-all-time/|archive-date=June 17, 2017}}</ref> ''[[Business Insider]]'' (No. 3),<ref>{{cite news|last1=Guerrasio|first1=Jason|title=Ranked: The 28 best car chases in movie history|url=https://www.insider.com/best-car-chases-in-movie-history-ranked#28-the-rock-1996-1|access-date=January 5, 2018|work=[[Business Insider]]|date=April 4, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171211192452/http://www.businessinsider.com/best-car-chase-scenes-movies-2017-3/|archive-date=December 11, 2017}}</ref> ''[[Consequence of Sound]]'' (No. 6),<ref>{{cite web |last1=Suzanne-Mayer |first1=Dominick |last2=Goble |first2=Blake |title=The 50 Greatest Car Chases in Film History |url=https://consequenceofsound.net/2018/10/the-50-best-car-chases-in-film-history/6/ |website=[[Consequence of Sound]] |date=October 25, 2018 |access-date=March 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190305120317/https://consequenceofsound.net/2018/10/the-50-best-car-chases-in-film-history/6/ |archive-date=March 5, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Collider (website)|Collider]].<ref>{{cite web|title=12 Best Car Chases from 'Bullitt' to 'Mad Max: Fury Road'|url=https://collider.com/best-car-chases/|access-date=March 5, 2019|website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]|date=February 21, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190305115459/http://collider.com/best-car-chases/|archive-date=March 5, 2019}}</ref> Some critics have said the chase scenes in ''[[Mission: Impossible – Fallout]]'' (2018) were influenced by those in ''Ronin''.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Nashawaty |first1=Chris |title=''Mission: Impossible — Fallout'' is insanely great: EW review |url=https://ew.com/movies/2018/07/12/mission-impossible-fallout-review/ |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=July 12, 2018 |access-date=December 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216125919/https://ew.com/movies/2018/07/12/mission-impossible-fallout-review/ |archive-date=December 16, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Lambie |first1=Ryan |title=Mission: Impossible - Fallout review - the best action-thriller of the year so far |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/uk/movies/mission-impossible-fallout/59069/mission-impossible-fallout-review-the-best-action-thriller-of-the-year-so-far |website=Den of Geek! |publisher=Dennis Publishing |location=United Kingdom |date=July 24, 2018 |access-date=December 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216130035/https://www.denofgeek.com/uk/movies/mission-impossible-fallout/59069/mission-impossible-fallout-review-the-best-action-thriller-of-the-year-so-far |archive-date=December 16, 2018}}</ref> Screen Rant ranked ''Ronin'' No. 1 on its list of the "12 Best Action Movies You've Never Heard Of".<ref>{{cite news|last1=DiGiulio|first1=Matt|title=12 Best Action Movies You've Never Heard Of|url=https://screenrant.com/best-underrated-action-movies/|access-date=September 29, 2017|website=Screen Rant|date=January 20, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170116000737/http://screenrant.com/best-underrated-action-movies/|archive-date=January 16, 2017}}</ref> In 2014, ''[[Time Out (magazine)|Time Out]]'' polled several film critics, directors, actors, and stunt actors about their top action films;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.timeout.com/newyork/film/best-action-movies|work=[[Time Out (magazine)|Time Out]]|title=The 100 best action movies|access-date=November 7, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141106142045/http://www.timeout.com/newyork/film/best-action-movies |archive-date=November 6, 2014}}</ref> ''Ronin'' was 72nd on the list.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.timeout.com/newyork/film/the-100-best-action-movies-80-71|work=Time Out|access-date=November 7, 2014|title=The 100 best action movies: 80–71|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141107152229/http://www.timeout.com/newyork/film/the-100-best-action-movies-80-71|archive-date=November 7, 2014}}</ref> ''[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]]'' magazine ranked the film at No. 10 on its list of the "25 Best Movies of 1998".<ref>{{cite web |title=The 25 Best Movies of 1998 |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2018/09/the-25-best-movies-of-1998.html |website=Paste |date=September 22, 2018 |access-date=September 23, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180923101706/https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2018/09/the-25-best-movies-of-1998.html |archive-date=September 23, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> ''Ronin'' was included in the film reference book ''101 Action Movies You Must See Before You Die''.<ref>{{cite book |editor1-last=Schneider |editor1-first=Steven Jay |title=101 Action Movies You Must See Before You Die |date=2010 |publisher=[[Cassell (publisher)|Cassell]] |location=London |isbn=978-1-84403-688-2 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/101actionmoviesy0000schn/page/328 328–331] |url=https://archive.org/details/101actionmoviesy0000schn |access-date=2023-02-08 |via=[[Internet Archive#Text collection|Internet Archive Book Reader]]}}</ref> === {{anchor|Cultural impact}} Video games === ''Ronin'' influenced the conception of the action video games ''[[Burnout (video game)|Burnout]]'' {{efn|Alex Ward, the creator of ''Burnout'', said the inspiration for the [[racing game]] was the DVD version's 15th chapter,<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Davison|first1=John|title='Burnout' Series Creator Talks Remaking Crash Mode for 'Danger Zone'|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/glixel/interviews/burnout-creator-on-remaking-crash-mode-for-danger-zone-w478902|access-date=January 22, 2018|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=April 26, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180122044434/https://www.rollingstone.com/glixel/interviews/burnout-creator-on-remaking-crash-mode-for-danger-zone-w478902|archive-date=January 22, 2018}}</ref><ref>which is titled "Crashing the Case," and shows a crash between two opposing cars.<ref>and ''[[Alpha Protocol]]''.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Aihoshi|first1=Richard|title=Alpha Protocol Interview – Part 2|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/11/15/alpha-protocol-interview-part-2?page=3|access-date=January 22, 2018|page=3|website=IGN|date=November 14, 2008|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180122044037/http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/11/15/alpha-protocol-interview-part-2?page=3|archive-date=January 22, 2018}}</ref> ==Notes== {{Notelist}} ==References== {{Reflist}} ==Bibliography== * {{cite book|last1=Armstrong|first1=Stephen B.|title=Pictures About Extremes: The Films of John Frankenheimer|year=2008|publisher=[[McFarland & Company]]|location=United States|isbn=978-0-7864-3145-8|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=e_JkAAAAMAAJ}} * {{cite book|last1=Crosse|first1=Jesse|title=The Greatest Movie Car Chases of All Time|year=2006|publisher=Motorbooks|location=United States|isbn=978-0-7603-2410-3|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=j5dlvgAACAAJ}} * {{cite book|editor1-last=Pomerance|editor1-first=Murray|editor2-last=Palmer|editor2-first=R. Barton|title=A Little Solitaire: John Frankenheimer and American Film|year=2011|publisher=[[Rutgers University Press]]|location=United States|isbn=978-0-8135-5059-6|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WIKP-d-xcYsC}} ==External links== {{Wikiquote}} * {{IMDb title}} * {{imcdb movie|122690}} * {{IMFDB title|ronin}} {{John Frankenheimer}} {{David Mamet}} {{Authority control}} {{Good article}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Ronin}} [[Category:1998 action thriller films]] [[Category:1990s chase films]] [[Category:1990s heist films]] [[Category:1990s spy films]] [[Category:1998 films]] [[Category:American action thriller films]] [[Category:American chase films]] [[Category:American heist films]] [[Category:American spy films]] [[Category:1990s English-language films]] [[Category:Films about the Central Intelligence Agency]] [[Category:Films about the Irish Republican Army]] [[Category:Films about the Russian Mafia]] [[Category:Films directed by John Frankenheimer]] [[Category:Films scored by Elia Cmíral]] [[Category:Films set in France]] [[Category:Films set in Nice]] [[Category:Films set in Paris]] [[Category:Films shot in Paris]] [[Category:Films with screenplays by David Mamet]] [[Category:Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer films]] [[Category:United Artists films]] [[Category:Films about The Troubles (Northern Ireland)]] [[Category:Films about mercenaries]] [[Category:1990s American films]] [[Category:Films produced by Frank Mancuso Jr.]]'