A Hollywood thriller plagued by script chaos and clashing stars became a global success
In short: The 1997 film The Devil's Own is remembered as much for its turbulent production as its plot. With a script that was constantly rewritten and two lead actors struggling to reconcile their conflicting creative visions, the project nearly collapsed before it even reached the screen, yet it ultimately found worldwide success.
The Devil's Own, directed by Alan J. Pakula, follows an IRA soldier, Frankie McGuire, who hides in New York with an unsuspecting police sergeant, Tom O'Meara. The film's origins trace back to a 1990 script acquisition by producer Lawrence Gordon. Brad Pitt signed on early, but the project stalled due to his limited credits and the controversial subject matter. When Harrison Ford joined, the script was overhauled to transform a low-budget thriller into a two-hero action piece.
Production was notoriously difficult. Principal photography began in February 1996 with an incomplete script, leading to intense friction. Pitt famously denounced the project, while Ford later admitted that their clashing viewpoints on their respective characters created a complicated atmosphere. Writers were hired and fired throughout the shoot, and the final scene was even reshot in California just two months before the film's March 1997 release. Pakula, who was paid $5 million to direct, struggled to manage the ego clashes and budget overruns.
Despite the behind-the-scenes chaos, the film earned $140 million worldwide, significantly outperforming its $43 million North American gross. Critics were divided; some praised the performances of Pitt and Ford, while others criticized the film's historical ignorance and disjointed narrative. The film also sparked controversy when Princess Diana took her young sons to see it, violating age restrictions and drawing criticism due to the IRA's history of violence against the royal family. Ultimately, both leads have expressed fondness for the project in retrospect, with Pitt calling it a valuable schooling experience.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: The Devil's Own
- Also: Wikidata — The Devil's Own · CC0
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/entertainment-the-devil-s-own.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Films · More in Entertainment · Latest · A–Z · All topics
