Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai (1999)
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- R
- 1h 56min
- Crime, Drama
- 24 Mar 2000 (USA)
- Movie
An African-American Mafia hit man who models himself after the samurai of old finds himself targeted for death by the mob.
Director:
Writer:
Stars:
Awards:
- 1 win & 8 nominations.
- See more »
Reviews:
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| Forest Whitaker | ... |
Ghost Dog
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| John Tormey | ... |
Louie
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| Cliff Gorman | ... |
Sonny Valerio
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Dennis Liu | ... |
Chinese Restaurant Owner
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| Frank Minucci | ... |
Big Angie
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| Richard Portnow | ... |
Handsome Frank
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| Tricia Vessey | ... |
Louise Vargo
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| Henry Silva | ... |
Ray Vargo
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| Gene Ruffini | ... |
Old Consigliere
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| Frank Adonis | ... |
Valerio's Bodyguard
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| Victor Argo | ... |
Vinny
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| Damon Whitaker | ... |
Young Ghost Dog
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Kenny Guay | ... |
Boy in Window
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| Vince Viverito | ... |
Johnny Morini
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| Gano Grills | ... |
Gangsta in Red
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Touché Cornel | ... |
Gangsta in Red
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| Jamie Hector | ... |
Gangsta in Red
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| Chuck Jeffreys | ... |
Mugger
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| Yan Ming Shi | ... |
Kung-Fu Master
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| Vinny Vella | ... |
Sammy the Snake
(as Vinnie Vella)
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| Joseph Rigano | ... |
Joe Rags
(as Joe Rigano)
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| Roberto Lopez | ... |
Punk in Alley
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Salvatore Alagna | ... |
Punk in Alley
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| Jerry Todisco | ... |
Punk in Alley
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| Isaach De Bankolé | ... |
Raymond
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| Dreddy Kruger | ... |
MC in blue
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| Timbo King | ... |
MC in blue
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| Clay Da Raider | ... |
MC in blue
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Dead And Stinking | ... |
MC in blue
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Deflon Sallahr | ... |
MC in blue
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| Camille Winbush | ... |
Pearline
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| Gary Farmer | ... |
Nobody
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Clebert Ford | ... |
Pigeonkeeper
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José Rabelo | ... |
Rooftop Boatbuilder
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| Jerry Sturiano | ... |
Lefty
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| Tony Rigo | ... |
Tony
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| Alfred Nittoli | ... |
Al
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| Angel Caban | ... |
Social Club Landlord
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Luz Valentin | ... |
Girl in Silver
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Rene Bluestone | ... |
Club Couple
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Jordan Peck | ... |
Club Couple
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Jonathan Teague Cook | ... |
Bear Hunter
(as Jonathan Cook)
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| Tracy Howe | ... |
Bear Hunter
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| Harry Shearer | ... |
Voice of Scratchy (archiveFootage) (voice)
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| Vanessa Hollingshead | ... |
Female Sheriff
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| Sharon Angela | ... |
Blonde with Jaguar
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| RZA | ... |
Samurai in Camouflage
(as The RZA)
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
| Scott Bryce | ... |
Accountant (scenesDeleted)
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| Paul Diomede | ... |
Young Gangster (uncredited)
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Directed by
| Jim Jarmusch | ||
Written by
| Jim Jarmusch | ... | (written by) |
Produced by
| Richard Guay | ... | producer |
| Jim Jarmusch | ... | producer |
| Diana Schmidt | ... | co-producer |
Music by
| RZA | ||
Cinematography by
| Robby Müller | ||
Editing by
| Jay Rabinowitz | ||
Editorial Department
| Jennifer Apel | ... | assistant editor |
| Héctor Cordero | ... | apprentice editor |
| Tony Grocki | ... | first assistant editor |
| Ricardo Olivero | ... | color timer |
| Catherine Rankin | ... | negative cutter |
| John Dowdell | ... | hd colorist (uncredited) |
| Peter Phillips | ... | post-production coordinator (uncredited) |
Casting By
| Ellen Lewis | ||
| Laura Rosenthal | ||
| Jeanne McCarthy | ... | casting director: Los Angeles (uncredited) |
Production Design by
| Ted Berner | ||
Art Direction by
| Mario Ventenilla | ||
Set Decoration by
| Ron von Blomberg | ... | (as Ronnie Von Blomberg) |
Costume Design by
| John Dunn | ||
Makeup Department
| Clifford Booker | ... | hair stylist (as Cliff Booker) |
| Judy Chin | ... | makeup artist |
| Todd Kleitsch | ... | assistant special makeup effects |
| Neal Martz | ... | special makeup effects artist |
| Adenike Wright | ... | hair stylist (uncredited) |
Production Management
| Victor De Jesus | ... | production supervisor |
| Lonnie Kandel | ... | production supervisor |
| Gabrielle Mahon | ... | post-production supervisor |
| Diana Schmidt | ... | unit production manager |
| Stacey Smith | ... | post-production supervisor |
| Karen L. Thorson | ... | post-production supervisor |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Cindy Craig | ... | second assistant director |
| Jude Gorjanc | ... | first assistant director |
| Jessica Piscitelli | ... | second second assistant director |
Art Department
| Shirley Belwood | ... | assistant property master |
| Jeff Butcher | ... | property master |
| Nathalie Cassegrain | ... | art department coordinator (as Nathalie Leslie-Cassergrain) |
| Bill Cassidy | ... | key construction grip |
| Peter DeCurtis | ... | set dresser (as Pete DeCurtis) |
| Susan Glod | ... | second scenic |
| Mario Herrera | ... | charge scenic artist |
| Richard S. Kamin | ... | construction foreman (as Richard Kamin) |
| Louis Mucci | ... | carpenter |
| Joseph Proscia | ... | lead man (as Joe Proscia) |
| Danny Rovira | ... | construction coordinator |
| Philip Saccio Jr. | ... | on-set dresser (as Phil Saccio Jr.) |
| Phil Saccio | ... | set dresser |
| Philip Saccio | ... | assistant lead man (as Phil Saccio Sr.) |
| Jennifer Snoeyink | ... | scenic |
| Ken Sperling | ... | stand-by construction grip |
| Steve Swanson | ... | set dresser |
| Clayton Thomas | ... | shop production assistant (as Clayton 'Massive' Thomas) |
| Roman Turovsky | ... | on-set scenic |
| Thomas Hocking | ... | construction grip (uncredited) |
Sound Department
| David Boulton | ... | adr mixer |
| Jason Canovas | ... | adr editor |
| John Chamberlain | ... | adr recordist |
| Eric A. Christoffersen | ... | stereo sound consultant: Dolby |
| Anthony J. Ciccolini III | ... | sound designer (as Chic Ciccolini III) / sound effects editor (as Chic Ciccolini III) |
| Ryan Collison | ... | foley artist |
| Keith Culbertson | ... | sound re-recordist |
| Joe Dohner | ... | foley recordist (as Joseph Dohner) |
| Jeanne Gilliland | ... | cable person |
| Thomas A. Gulino | ... | dialogue editor |
| Ann Hadsell | ... | adr mixer |
| Drew Kunin | ... | sound mixer |
| Kevin Meehan | ... | boom operator (as Kevin V. Meehan) |
| Yvette Nabel | ... | foley editor |
| Daniel Pagan | ... | sound effects editor |
| Alex Raspa | ... | adr recordist |
| Lynn Sable | ... | assistant sound editor |
| Dominick Tavella | ... | re-recording mixer (as Dom 'The Dominator' Tavella) |
| Brian Vancho | ... | foley artist |
| John Werner | ... | assistant sound editor (as John Michael Werner) |
| Karl Wasserman | ... | additional sound utility (uncredited) |
Special Effects by
| Drew Jiritano | ... | special effects coordinator |
| David Kleinstein | ... | special effects assistant |
| John Stifanich | ... | special effects assistant |
| Andrew Mortelliti | ... | special effects assistant (uncredited) |
Visual Effects by
| John Furniotis | ... | optical effects |
| Don Nolan | ... | digital and optical effects |
| Trevor Bajus | ... | digital artist (uncredited) |
| Molle DeBartolo | ... | digital restoration artist (uncredited) |
| Gray Miller | ... | title animator (uncredited) |
| Dave Salter | ... | animation cameraman (uncredited) |
| Mark Tureski | ... | optical effects (uncredited) |
Stunts
| Norman Douglass | ... | stunt coordinator |
| Manny Siverio | ... | stunt coordinator |
| Jeff Ward | ... | stunt coordinator |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Chris Beattie | ... | grip |
| Katherine M. Butler | ... | first assistant camera (as Kate Butler) |
| Christian Carmody | ... | second assistant camera |
| Francesca Cobaco | ... | electrician (as Francesca 'Max' Corbachio) |
| Jon Delgado | ... | electrician (as John M. Delgado) |
| Ray Flynn | ... | best boy electric |
| Abbot Genser | ... | still photographer (as Abbott Genser) |
| Douglas C. Hart | ... | first assistant camera (as Doug Hart) |
| Pedro Hernández | ... | best boy grip |
| Chaim Kantor | ... | camera operator |
| Tim Kelly | ... | grip |
| Gary Lamantia | ... | camera technician: Wescam camera (as Gary LaMantia) |
| Scott Maguire | ... | camera loader |
| Rick Marroquin | ... | dolly grip |
| Gary Martone | ... | key grip |
| Michael J. Maurer | ... | electrician (as Michael Maurer) |
| Tally Morse | ... | dolly grip (as Talley Morse) |
| David Norris | ... | camera operator: Wescam camera |
| Sean O'Brien | ... | grip |
| Christopher Porter | ... | gaffer (as Chris Porter) |
| Rick Raphael | ... | steadicam operator |
| Mark Schwentner | ... | gaffer |
| Josh Steinberg | ... | grip |
| Nicolas L. Charuet | ... | grip (uncredited) |
| Chaim Kantor | ... | director of photography: second unit (uncredited) |
Casting Department
| Anthony Ortiz | ... | extras casting (as Anthony 'Dust' Ortiz) |
| Jessy Terrero | ... | extras casting |
| Ulysses Terrero | ... | extras casting |
| Blythe Cappello | ... | casting associate (uncredited) |
| Gayle Keller | ... | casting associate (uncredited) |
| Jeanne McCarthy | ... | casting: Los Angeles (uncredited) |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Kevin Brainerd | ... | assistant costume designer |
| David Davenport | ... | wardrobe supervisor |
| Amy Habacker | ... | wardrobe supervisor (as Amy S. Habacker) |
Location Management
| Carl Archibald | ... | location assistant |
| Ged Dickersin | ... | location manager |
| Tom Jarmusch | ... | location scout |
| Suk Yi Mar | ... | assistant location manager |
| Kevon Murphy | ... | location assistant |
| Kate Schultz | ... | location scout |
| Demond Stafford | ... | location assistant |
| Mimi Turner | ... | location scout |
Music Department
| Jay Rabinowitz | ... | music editor |
| Sunz of Man | ... | soundtrack (uncredited) |
| Tekitha | ... | soundtrack (uncredited) |
Script and Continuity Department
| Chiemi Karasawa | ... | script supervisor |
Transportation Department
| John Arena Jr. | ... | driver |
| Ralph Astarita | ... | driver |
| Tom Buckman Jr. | ... | driver |
| Bill Buckman | ... | driver |
| Christopher Cilento | ... | driver (as Chris Cilento) |
| Danny Houghton | ... | driver |
| Joe Irwin | ... | driver |
| Bob Lansing | ... | driver |
| Leonard Luizzi | ... | driver (as Lenny Luizzi) |
| John Lynch Jr. | ... | driver |
| Joe Mallon | ... | driver |
| George Moran | ... | driver |
| John Raffone | ... | driver |
| Ed Stewart | ... | driver |
| Francis Volpe | ... | driver (as Francis Volpe Jr.) |
| Louis Volpe | ... | transportation captain (as Lou 'Sonny' Volpe) |
| Ralph Volpe | ... | transportation co-captain |
Additional Crew
| Cynthia Bauer | ... | intern |
| Jesse Bodine | ... | office production assistant |
| Brian Cantaldi | ... | set production assistant |
| Jen Cox | ... | payroll accountant |
| Aaron Douglas | ... | accountant |
| Sara Driver | ... | story consultant |
| Jennifer Ehman | ... | intern |
| Joe Facey | ... | craft service |
| Orlando Ferreyra III | ... | intern |
| Kathleen Gallagher | ... | intern |
| Mara Galus | ... | set production assistant |
| Jeff Gilbert | ... | intern (as Jeffrey Seymann) |
| Jill Goldstein | ... | legal services |
| Ariel Greene | ... | intern |
| Joe Guest | ... | intern |
| Tucker Hartsorne | ... | assistant animal wrangler |
| Richard Heller | ... | legal services |
| Vanessa Jacobs | ... | assistant production coordinator |
| Paul Johnson | ... | security officer |
| Damon Keller | ... | intern |
| Stefanie Koseff | ... | assistant: Stacey Smith |
| Brian Lampf | ... | office production assistant |
| Susan Lawlor | ... | production secretary |
| Nemo Librizzi | ... | spirit balance |
| Gabrielle Mahon | ... | assistant: Richard Guay |
| Alfredo Martinez | ... | gun consultant |
| Steve McAuliff | ... | animal wrangler |
| Tony McKray | ... | security officer |
| Kelly Mearkle | ... | office production assistant |
| Macho Mendez | ... | security officer |
| Chris O'Brien | ... | legwork |
| David Phillips | ... | parking coordinator |
| Jennifer Pietzryh | ... | set medic |
| Reid Rosefelt | ... | publicist |
| Christa Saredi | ... | world sales |
| Harris Smith | ... | intern |
| Stacey Smith | ... | assistant: Jim Jarmusch |
| Michele Soddano | ... | assistant accountant |
| Jim Sotet | ... | philosophical consultant |
| Thea St. Omer | ... | intern |
| Eliza Thomas | ... | intern |
| Daira Torres | ... | intern |
| Alfonso Trinidad | ... | key set production assistant |
| Dana Wisher | ... | set production assistant |
| Heathar Wynne | ... | set medic |
| Randall Balsmeyer | ... | title designer (uncredited) |
| Al Cerullo | ... | helicopter pilot (uncredited) |
| Lee Holifield | ... | set security (uncredited) |
| Michael K. Reynolds | ... | chef (uncredited) |
Thanks
| Akira Kurosawa | ... | personal thanks |
| Jean-Pierre Melville | ... | personal thanks |
| Mary Shelley | ... | personal thanks |
| Bart Walker | ... | very special thanks |
Production Companies
- JVC Entertainment Networks (presents)
- Canal+ (support)
- Bac Films (presents)
- Pandora Filmproduktion (in association with)
- Arbeitsgemeinschaft der öffentlich-rechtlichen Rundfunkanstalten der Bundesrepublik Deutschland (ARD) (in association with)
- ARD Degeto Film (in association with)
- Plywood Productions
Distributors
- Aerofilms (2022) (Czechia) (theatrical)
- Alfa Films (2000) (Argentina) (theatrical)
- Arthaus Filmverleih (2000) (Germany) (theatrical)
- Artisan Entertainment (2000) (United States) (theatrical)
- Asociace Ceských Filmových Klubu (ACFK) (2000) (Czechia) (theatrical)
- BIM Distribuzione (2000) (Italy) (theatrical)
- Bac Films (1999) (France) (theatrical)
- Channel Four Films (1999) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- Eye Film Instituut (2023) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
- Filmcoopi (2000) (Switzerland) (theatrical)
- France Eigasha (1999) (Japan) (theatrical)
- Latina Films (2001) (Mexico) (theatrical)
- New Vision Films (2000) (Australia) (theatrical)
- Stadtkino Filmverleih (2000) (Austria) (theatrical)
- TransEuropa Films (2000) (Chile) (theatrical)
- Vértigo Films (2000) (Spain) (theatrical)
- A-Film Home Entertainment (2000) (Netherlands) (DVD)
- A-Video Home Entertainment (2000) (Netherlands) (DVD)
- Alliance Atlantis Vivafilm (Canada) (video) (French)
- Arthaus (2015) (Germany) (Blu-ray) (The Complete Movie Collection)
- Arthaus (2015) (Germany) (DVD) (The Complete Movie Collection)
- Artisan Home Entertainment (2000) (United States) (DVD)
- Atalanta Filmes (2001) (Portugal) (DVD)
- BAC Vidéo (2001) (France) (DVD)
- BAC Vidéo (2009) (France) (Blu-ray)
- ElleU Multimedia (Italy) (DVD)
- Film4 (2000) (United Kingdom) (DVD)
- Front Row Filmed Entertainment (2009) (United Arab Emirates) (DVD) (Middle East)
- Hollywood Classic Entertainment (2007) (Czechia) (DVD)
- Kinowelt Home Entertainment (2000) (Germany) (DVD)
- Kinowelt Home Entertainment (2000) (Germany) (VHS)
- Leader Music (2010) (Argentina) (DVD) (as Leader Vision)
- Lionsgate Films (2003) (United States) (DVD)
- Madman Entertainment (2006) (Australia) (DVD)
- Madman Entertainment (2006) (New Zealand) (DVD)
- NITV (2023) (Australia) (tv)
- Paradise Group (2000) (Russia)
- StudioCanal International (1999) (World-wide)
- The Criterion Channel (2021) (United States) (tv) (digital)
- The Criterion Collection (2020) (United States) (Blu-ray)
- The Criterion Collection (2020) (United States) (DVD)
- Transeuropa Video Entertainment (TVE) (2000) (Argentina) (VHS)
- Vértice 360 (2000) (Spain) (DVD)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- 20th Century Fox Television (courtesy of: film footage from "The Simpsons")
- Balsmeyer and Everett (titles)
- Camera Service Center (camera and electric equipment)
- Canal+ (foreign sales agents)
- Cannes Film Festival (festival)
- Coast to Coast Catering (catering)
- Entertainment Partners (production payroll)
- Epic Records (soundtrack)
- Felix the Cat Productions Inc. (property of: Felix the Cat word and design)
- Film Effects (title opticals)
- Fleischer Studios (property of: Betty Boop and other characters)
- Fleischer Studios (property of: characters)
- Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz (legal services)
- Golden Books Family Entertainment (courtesy of: "Felix the Cat")
- Great Northern Brokerage Services (insurance)
- Magic Lantern (publicist)
- On Location Education (tutoring: Camille Winbush)
- Post Production Playground (post-production services)
- Premiere Catering (catering)
- RPM Group (promotion and marketing)
- Republic Entertainment (courtesy of: footage from "A Hunting We Will Go")
- Republic Entertainment (courtesy of: footage from "Training Pigeons")
- Republic National Bank of New York (production bank)
- Rick Bruck's Motorworks (camera car)
- Ru-Bear Security Inc. (security)
- Sony Music Soundtrax (soundtrack)
- Sound One Corporation (post-production facilities)
- T n T Casting (extras casting)
- Toronto International Film Festival (festival)
- Universal Studios (courtesy of: footage from "Pantry Panic")
- Visual Icon (exclusive clip and still licensing)
- Wescam USA (wescam provided by)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
A hitman who lives by the code of the samurai, works for the mafia and finds himself in their crosshairs when his recent job doesn't go according to plan. Now he must find a way to defend himself and his honor while retaining the code he lives by. Written by Scott Jarreau |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | All assassins live beyond the law... only one follows the code See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
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Additional Details
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Box Office
| Opening Weekend France | FRF5,895,446, 14 Oct 1999 |
| Cumulative Worldwide Gross | $6,072,444 |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | Jim Jarmusch stated in an interview that he wrote the role of Ghost Dog specifically for Forest Whitaker, and if Whitaker hadn't taken the role, the film probably would not have been made. See more » |
| Goofs | Before killing the hunters, Ghost Dog turns off his car by turning the key in the ignition. When he stole the car, however, he used an electronic device to override the ignition. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in Instinct/The Loss of Sexual Innocence/Limbo (1999). See more » |
| Soundtracks | Ice-Cream See more » |
| Crazy Credits | The second to last person thanked at the credits' close is Akira Kurosawa--the Japanese filmmaker who filmed one of the Ghost Dog's central texts, Rashomon. See more » |
| Quotes |
Ghost Dog:
There is something to be learned from a rainstorm. When meeting with a sudden shower, you try not to get wet and run quickly along the road. But doing such things as passing under the eaves of houses, you still get wet. When you are resolved from the beginning, you will not be perplexed, though you still get the same soaking. This understanding extends to everything. See more » |