Home
search
more | tips
IMDb > Fargo (1996)
Fargo
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summaryplot synopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

Photos (see all 49 | slideshow) Videos
Fargo (1996) -- Jerry Lundegaard's inept crime falls apart due to his and his henchmen's bungling and the persistent police work of pregnant Marge Gunderson.

Overview

User Rating:
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 15% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
Joel Coen
more
Writers (WGA):
Joel Coen (written by) &
Ethan Coen (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for Fargo on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
8 March 1996 (USA) more
Genre:
Crime | Drama | Thriller more
Tagline:
A homespun murder story. more
Plot:
Jerry Lundegaard's inept crime falls apart due to his and his henchmen's bungling and the persistent police work of pregnant Marge Gunderson. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
Won 2 Oscars. Another 52 wins & 30 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(62 articles)
Harve Presnell Dies at 75
 (From TVGuide.com - Breaking News. 2 July 2009, 11:32 AM, PDT)

Actor Presnell Dies
 (From WENN. 1 July 2009, 6:36 PM, PDT)

User Comments:
One of Those Rare Gems in the Cinema more

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

William H. Macy ... Jerome 'Jerry' Lundegaard

Steve Buscemi ... Carl Showalter

Peter Stormare ... Gaear Grimsrud
Kristin Rudrüd ... Jean Lundegaard
Harve Presnell ... Wade Gustafson

Tony Denman ... Scotty Lundegaard

Gary Houston ... Irate Customer
Sally Wingert ... Irate Customer's Wife
Kurt Schweickhardt ... Car Salesman
Larissa Kokernot ... Hooker #1

Melissa Peterman ... Hooker #2
Steve Reevis ... Shep Proudfoot (as Steven Reevis)

Warren Keith ... Reilly Diefenbach (voice)
Steve Edelman ... Morning Show Host
Sharon Anderson ... Morning Show Hostess
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Fargo (Argentina) (Spain) [es]
Fargo (Canada: French title) (France) [fr]
Fargo (Slovakia) [sk]
Fargo (Czech Republic) [cs]
Fargo (Serbia) [sr]
Fargo (Turkey: Turkish title) [tr]
Fargo (Greece) [el]
Fargo (Poland) [pl]
Fargo (Slovenia) [sl]
Fargo - Blutiger Schnee (Germany) [de]
Fargo - Uma Comédia de Erros (Brazil) [pt]
Um Crime Imperfeito (Portugal) [pt]
more
MPAA:
Rated R for strong violence, language and sexuality.
Runtime:
98 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Dolby SR

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
William H. Macy begged the directors for the role of Jerry Lundegaard. He did two readings for the part, and became convinced he was the best man for the role. When the Coens didn't get back to him, he flew to New York (where they were starting production) and said, "I'm very, very worried that you are going to screw up this movie by giving this role to somebody else. It's my role, and I'll shoot your dogs if you don't give it to me." He was joking, of course. more
Goofs:
Continuity: Jerry's sketch pad changes after he storms out to do a lot count. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Jerry Lundegaard: I'm, uh, Jerry Lundegaard.
Carl Showalter: You're Jerry Lundegaard?
Jerry Lundegaard: Ya. Shep Proudfoot said...
Carl Showalter: Shep said you'd be here at 7:30. What gives, man?
Jerry Lundegaard: Shep said 8:30.
Carl Showalter: We've been sitting here an hour. He's
[motioning to Gaer]
Carl Showalter: peed three times already.
Jerry Lundegaard: I'm sure sorry. Shep told me 8:30. It was a mix-up, I guess.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Schlock! The Secret History of American Movies (2001) more

FAQ

Did a Japanese woman die because she believed the movie was true?
How much sex, violence, and profanity are in this movie?
A NOTE REGARDING SPOILERS
more
70 out of 99 people found the following comment useful:-
One of Those Rare Gems in the Cinema, 25 June 2000
Author: tfrizzell from United States

With all the sorry films these days it is good to see a movie as funny, wicked, dramatic, and utterly demented as "Fargo". It's one of those films that you just have to see. William H. Macy gives an Oscar-nominated performance as a car salesman who hires two thugs (one a know-it-all-know-nothing and the other a demented psychopath) to kidnap his wife so that he can keep half the ransom from her well-off father. Needless to say nothing goes right and Brainerd sheriff Frances McDormand (in an Oscar-winning role) comes in to save the day. I won't give anything away because the material is too good to tell those who haven't seen this inventive film. "Fargo" was ranked on the 100 Greatest Films list in 1996 and it was well-deserved. In this age of by-the-numbers film making, this film was a refreshing flashback to the risk-taking style that made the 1970s such a great decade for movies. 5 stars out of 5.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Fargo (1996)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
What's the best Coen brothers movie? peterstevens
Good movie? Sure. Comedy? I don't think so. Blessashell
spolier: about the wife tua76515
Major contradiction in the movie Copyright1994
Wow, the score here is fabulous. my-name-isobel
Wade = Mr. Pewterschmidt? Copyright1994
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
The Godfather Blade Runner Bad Boys II Pulp Fiction City of Shoulders and Noses
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb top 250 movies IMDb Crime section
IMDb USA section Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.