Product Description

In this visually stunning sci-fi adventure, two warriors engaged in a savage, futuristic war between Earth and the planet Dracon. Crash-land on a desolate, fiery planet. At first, the human, (Dennis Quaid) and his reptilian, alien opponent (Louis Gossett, JR) are intent on destroying each other, the two stranded pilots gradually realize that the only way either of them will survive is to overcome their undying hatred.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5348 in DVD
• Released on: 2001-03-27
• Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
• Formats: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
• Original language: English, French
• Subtitled in: English, Spanish
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 110 minutes

Amazon.com essential video
Lizard-like Draconian Louis Gossett Jr. and his mortal enemy, earthling Dennis Quaid, crash-land on a hostile planet during a brutal space battle. Forced to rely on one another for survival, they overcome their differences and become fast friends. You can almost hear them break into an off-key version of "It's a Small World." German director Wolfgang Petersen, so brutally honest with his film Das Boot, turns warm and cuddly on us with this intergalactic buddy movie. Much of the problem, though, is that the script sets us up for an intriguing encounter, then settles for a simple and sentimental resolution. Noteworthy set design and strong performances, especially by Gossett, push this beyond mere mediocrity. His performance is fascinating, as he must speak in an alien tongue, which he maintains with artistry and consistency. --Rochelle O'Gorman

Customer Reviews

Stands the test of time!
One of the most amazing stories on film. It sends a message without being preachy. Louis Gossett Jr. is amazing in his portrayal, perhaps his finest performance. Dennis Quaid is at the top of his game.
This movie stands the test of time with a message that stands up to the decades

Even Soviets liked it (especially the ones who were kids at a time)...
This was one of a very few American films that were actually purchased by Soviet cinema authorities for a theatrical release in Soviet Union. While the likes of "Star Wars" and "Alien" where bashed as decadent and imperialistic, "Enemy Mine" and "Star man" where released with very little censorship.
And so it stands as one of the first visually magnificent experiences of my childhood: watching "Enemy Mine" in my local cinema house in Alma-Ata on a big screen and in (almost) all of its glory back in 1987.

Daaahweeech. There is no ... shppoooooooon ...

As the movie opens the viewer is confronted by two very surprising things. The first is the name of the director, Wolfgang Peterson. It would be the German Director's first movie for the American mainstream audience and undoubtedly his best to date. The second thing is the gross inclusion of gratuitous Analog Special effects, which might make this movie one of the last films to include effects on this level. Blade Runner strictly used Analog Special Effects, but did far greater things with them. These two things, viewed in today's world, might turn off a few viewers, but the best thing I can offer up: is to stick with it.

However, both those things aside, the film, very rightly and very appropriately, gets to the story quickly and it is the story that makes this one of the best science-fiction movies of the `80's decade.

Enemy Mine is an incredibly touching film about perceived differences between two warring species, but speaks to the larger issue of race and all people. That's a pretty hefty order for sure to address successfully in film, but the story hails from a period of writing where moralist intent seeped into most writing, deftly, and was the norm. Barry Longyear stands firmly beside such Science-Fiction greats as Philip K. Dick, Gene Rodenberry and Walter Tevis.

I have fond memories of watching this film as a boy and can hardly forget Louis Gossett Jnr.'s much quotable: "Daaahweeech." The final scene is also very moving and very thought provoking for anyone who wonders why we, as a people, do not go to greater lengths in establishing our lineage. But, it's probably true for all of us that we all have some family members that are worthy of forgetting.