A History of Violence

For other uses, see A History of Violence (disambiguation).

A History of Violence
Theatrical release poster
Directed byDavid Cronenberg
Screenplay byJosh Olson
Based on
A History of Violence
by
Produced byChris Bender
J. C. Spink
Starring
CinematographyPeter Suschitzky
Edited byRonald Sanders
Music byHoward Shore
Production
companies
Distributed by
Release dates
  • May 16, 2005 (2005-05-16) (Cannes)
  • September 23, 2005 (2005-09-23) (United States)
Running time
96 minutes
Countries
  • United States
  • Canada[3]
  • Germany[4]
LanguageEnglish
Budget$32 million[5]
Box office$61.4 million[5]

A History of Violence is a 2005 action thriller film directed by David Cronenberg and written by Josh Olson. It is an adaptation of the 1997 DC graphic novel by John Wagner and Vince Locke. The film stars Viggo Mortensen, Maria Bello, Ed Harris, and William Hurt. In the film, a diner owner becomes a local hero after he foils an attempted robbery, but has to face his past enemies to protect his family.

A History of Violence was in the main competition for the 2005 Palme d'Or and was put into a limited release in the United States on September 23, 2005, followed by a wide release on September 30, 2005. It has often been described as one of the greatest films of the 2000s. The film was specifically praised for its performances, screenwriting and atmosphere. William Hurt was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, and Olson was nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay. Mortensen himself praised it as "one of the best movies [he's] ever been in, if not the best".[6] It is also notable as being one of the last, if not the last, major Hollywood films to be released on VHS.[7][8]

  1. ^ "A History of Violence". Library and Archives Canada. May 12, 2015. Archived from the original on May 31, 2023. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  2. ^ "A History of Violence". filmportal.de. Archived from the original on April 14, 2023. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  3. ^ "A History of Violence (2005)". catalog.afi.com. Archived from the original on March 29, 2023. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
  4. ^ "A History of Violence (2005)". BFI. Archived from the original on August 11, 2016. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
  5. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference bom was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ "Marrakech Fest: Viggo Mortensen Honored, Praises David Cronenberg". The Hollywood Reporter. December 8, 2014. Archived from the original on February 7, 2015. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
  7. ^ "VHS era is winding down". L.A. Times. December 22, 2008. Archived from the original on August 11, 2011. Retrieved October 4, 2013.
  8. ^ https://thehill.com/homenews/wire/3508514-what-was-the-last-movie-released-on-vhs/amp/