Production note The film had a long development history and was originally planned earlier, including an Italian setting.
Production note The story was relocated from Italy to Mexico City because kidnappings were more current there.
Production note Tony Scott reportedly used heavy cross-processing and multiple cameras to create the film’s look.
Production note Dakota Fanning was missing her front teeth during filming, and they left them visible.
Production note Denzel spent about 10 days training with an advanced weapons specialist.
Production note Some crew members in Mexico City were robbed at gunpoint, and the production received a special thanks in the credits.
Production note The film’s original ending reportedly had Creasy detonating a bomb on himself at the voice’s house.
Production note There was also a deleted sex scene between Creasy and Lisa that would have changed the tone of the movie.
Fast Five Used as a benchmark for favorite action movies.
The Searchers Cited as an influence on the revenge structure.
Death Wish Referenced as part of the revenge-movie lineage.
Point Blank Named as another tonal/structural ancestor.
Crimson Tide Mentioned as one of the Tony Scott/Denzel collaborations.
Deja Vu Mentioned as another Scott/Denzel collaboration.
Training Day Used as the film that cemented Denzel’s late-career run.
The Siege Referenced as proof of Denzel’s unusually high floor.
He Got Game Named as an early sign of the later Denzel persona.
Flight Used as a comparison point for later Denzel work.
Proof of Life Used in alternate-universe casting and sequel talk, especially around a Terry Thorne follow-up.
John Wick Discussed as a later action series that borrows from or echoes this movie.
The Town Brought up while debating whether the movie should be considered an action film.
Sicario Mentioned as another Mexico-set action reference point.
Total Recall Used when discussing Rachel Ticotin’s other notable role.
