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A Civil Action

Play trailer Poster for A Civil Action PG-13 1998 1h 52m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
65% Tomatometer 71 Reviews 55% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
In this legal thriller based on a true story, John Travolta stars as Jan Schlichtmann, a tenacious personal-injury attorney whose fierce determination entangles him in a case that threatens to destroy him. The case -- which appears straightforward -- instead evolves into a labyrinthine lawsuit of vast dimensions, in the intelligent, fast-paced drama, "A Civil Action."
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A Civil Action

A Civil Action

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Critics Consensus

Intelligent and unconventional.

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Critics Reviews

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Joe Morgenstern Wall Street Journal 04/02/2019
There's much to enjoy in A Civil Action. Go to Full Review Richard Schickel TIME Magazine 04/01/2019
A richly acted - see especially Robert Duvall's dreamy-fox opposition lawyer - subtly suspenseful, blessedly unmoralizing morality play. Go to Full Review Emanuel Levy Variety 06/01/2006
3/4
Based on a true story, this is an intelligent legal thriller, very much in the mode of 1970s issue-oriented films, that may be too subtle and complex for the damands of today's market. Go to Full Review David Nusair Reel Film Reviews 01/03/2024
3/4
...engaging subject matter that’s employed to deliberate yet mostly compelling effect... Go to Full Review Common Sense Media Editors Common Sense Media 12/14/2022
3/5
Brilliantly understated performances, flashes of wit and a heartbreaking true story aren't quite enough to make this movie memorable. Go to Full Review Catherine Springer CathsFilmForum.com 07/26/2021
3/5
A wonderful ride but an ultimately unfulfilling destination. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Garry A @heavyg 04/18/2025 It started off well. I thought I was going to see a conventional courtroom battle where the defendants win. There was justice in the end but I found no pleasure in the journey there. See more Marcus T @MarcusT12 04/04/2024 An interesting premise and filled with tension, but ultimately unfulfilling after the long drawn out legal battle. Travolta's character loses his bearings getting so caught up in the case that common sense goes out the window. Good performances by the cast. Robert Duvall was stellar as usual. Being based on a true story makes it more compelling. A variation on the theme of might makes right. See more 11/12/2020 Required reading for Civil Procedure in law school. This is a good movie. I wish such results were more often rendered. See more steve d @RT35616104 07/05/2020 There are too many stories just like it and the script did nothing to rise above some of the others. See more 01/24/2018 Robert Duvall gives an amazing performance, as well as Macy, Shaloub, and Ivanek. Travolta is ok. Worth it all to watch Duvall give a masterful performance. See more 01/30/2017 An exceptionally good blend of an environmental tale and a story of a selfish man becoming a good man. See more Read all reviews
A Civil Action

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Cast & Crew

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Steven Zaillian

Director

John Travolta

Jan Schlichtmann

Robert Duvall

Jerome Facher

Tony Shalhoub

Kevin Conway

William H. Macy

James Gordon

Željko Ivanek

Bill Crowley

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A Civil Action

"A Civil Action" also stars (left to right) Tony Shaloub, Zeljko Ivanek, Mary Mara and William H. Macy. James Gandolfini stars as W.R. Grace employee Al Love, and Kathleen Quinlan stars as Anne Anderson. Stephen Fry (right) stars as Pinder, John Travolta (left) is attorney Jan Schlichtmann, and Dan Hedaya (center) is tannery owner John J. Riley. John Travolta (left) stars as attorney Jan Schlichtmann, and Kathleen Quinlan (right) stars as Anne Anderson. Judge Skinner (John Lithgow, right), Jan Schlichtmann (John Travolta) and his partner Bill Crowley (Zeljko Ivanek, second from right) face litigator Jerome Facher (Robert Duvall, second from left). Academy Award winner Robert Duvall (left) portrays attorney Jerome Facher, Jan Schlichtmann's (John Travolta, right) unpredictable and formidable adversary in the courtroom. Attorney Jan Schlichtmann (John Travolta, left) consults with his partners, (left to right) James Gordon (William H. Macy), Kevin Conway (Tony Shalhoub), and Bill Crowley (Zeljko Ivanek). Real-life-based story of an epic courtroom showdown, John Travolta stars as attorney Jan Schlichtmann, who stakes his practice, his professional and reputation on a celebrated personal injury case. Real-life-based story of an epic courtroom showdown, John Travolta stars as attorney Jan Schlichtmann, who stakes his practice, his professional and reputation on a celebrated personal injury case. Real-life-based story of an epic courtroom showdown, John Travolta stars as attorney Jan Schlichtmann, who stakes his practice, his professional and reputation on a celebrated personal injury case. View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis In this legal thriller based on a true story, John Travolta stars as Jan Schlichtmann, a tenacious personal-injury attorney whose fierce determination entangles him in a case that threatens to destroy him. The case -- which appears straightforward -- instead evolves into a labyrinthine lawsuit of vast dimensions, in the intelligent, fast-paced drama, "A Civil Action."
Director
Steven Zaillian
Producer
Rachel Pfeffer, Robert Redford, Scott Rudin
Screenwriter
Jonathan Harr, Steven Zaillian
Distributor
Buena Vista Pictures
Production Co
Touchstone Pictures, Wildwood Enterprises, Paramount Pictures
Rating
PG-13 (Some Strong Language)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jan 8, 1998, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Feb 1, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$56.7M
Runtime
1h 52m
Sound Mix
Dolby SR, DTS, SDDS, Surround, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)