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Lightning Jack

From Alfawiki
Lightning Ridge Ltd
Company typePublic (formerly listed on the Australian Stock Exchange)
IndustryFilm production
Founded1990s
FounderPaul Hogan
Defunct2001
FateRemoved from Australian Stock Exchange
ProductsFilm production (notably the film Lightning Jack)

Lightning Jack is a 1994 Western comedy feature written by and starring Paul Hogan, with co-stars Cuba Gooding Jr. and Beverly D'Angelo.

Plot

Set in the American West, Lightning Jack Kane is a farsighted Australian outlaw who survives a botched heist that results in the death of his gang members. Frustrated by his obscurity, he attempts a solo robbery and ends up taking Ben Doyle, a mute man, hostage. Ben, weary of being underestimated due to his race and disability, expresses a desire to join Jack.

Jack proceeds to instruct Ben in the art of bank robbery, encountering early setbacks such as Ben accidentally shooting his own foot. Their preparation includes visits to saloons where Jack introduces Ben to adult experiences and reconnects with Lana Castel, a showgirl harboring secret feelings for him.

Their plan targets a well-fortified bank rumored to have the entire town armed for its defense. When a competing gang also plots to rob the same bank, Ben discreetly warns the townsfolk, resulting in the rival gang's capture. During the ensuing celebration, Jack and Ben successfully rob the bank unnoticed. Before departing, Jack ensures his photograph is taken at the event, securing the notoriety he craved as an outlaw. With bounties on their heads, they vanish alongside Lana while America pursues them.

Cast

Production

Paul Hogan sought to craft a traditional Western centered around a bank robber figure. To maintain creative authority while funding the project, he established Lightning Ridge Ltd and listed it on the Australian Stock Exchange, successfully attracting investor capital. The company was removed from the exchange in 2001.

Filming took place at various sites across the United States including Santa Fe, NM, Tucson, Page, AZ, Moab, Utah, and locations in Colorado. Some interior scenes were filmed at Movie World Studios located on Australia's Gold Coast. Director Simon Wincer highlighted logistical difficulties caused by concurrent Western productions such as Wyatt Earp and Tombstone being shot nearby.

Major League Baseball pitcher Roger Clemens appeared in an uncredited role portraying the outlaw "Dutch Spencer."

Critical reception

Lightning Jack was met with largely unfavorable critiques. It holds a 6% approval rating based on 17 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes.

Critic James Berardinelli awarded it 1.5 out of 4 stars, describing it as a "well-intentioned but dull comedy" lacking humor and originality beyond Hogan’s previous success with Crocodile Dundee. Roger Ebert gave it 2 out of 4 stars, calling it "good-natured but simplistic," generating occasional laughs yet ultimately too relaxed to fully engage viewers.

Box office

The movie opened at number two at the U.S. box office behind Guarding Tess, earning $5.4 million during its initial weekend but grossing less than $17 million across the United States and Canada overall. In Australia, it premiered over Easter weekend as the top-grossing film with an opening of A$1.8 million, eventually accumulating A$6.4 million domestically and $25 million worldwide.

Year-end rankings

External links

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