Prisoners (2013) - The Basics

Production:

• Production Company: Alcon Entertainment, 8:38 Productions, Madhouse Entertainment
• Source Material/Property: Original screenplay by Aaron Guzikowski
• Budget: $46million
• Nationality: American
• Main Producers: Adam Kolbrenner (Madhouse), Broderick Johnson & Andrew Kosove (Alcon), Kira Davis (8:38)
• Director: Dennis Villeneuve
• Cinematographer: Roger Deakins (Won and Nominated for several Oscars for Best Cinematography - including a nomination for Prisoners)
• Editor: Joel Cox (Oscar Winning)
• Music: Johann Johannsson
• Screenwriter: Aaron Guzikowski
• Principle Cast Members:
  
  • Hugh Jackman (Wolverine, Les Miserables)
  • Jake Gyllenhaal (Brokeback Mountain, Source Code, Prince of Persia, Love & Other Drugs)
  • Terrence Howard (The Best Man Holiday, Iron Man)
  • Viola Davis (The Help, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close)
  • Maria Bello (Grown Ups, Touch - TV Show)
  • Paul Dano (Looper)
  • Melissa Leo (Oblivion, The Fighter)
   
• How it was Filmed: On Location, using Arri Alexa Studio and Arri Alexa Plus digital cameras
• Where it was Filmed: Various locations in Georgia including Atlanta

Any Other Important Production Information:

• Scriptwriter discovered by literary manager Madhouse Entertainment.
• Adam Kolbrenner helped Aaron Guzikowski develop the script
• The script originally was rumoured to have Christian Bale, Leonardo Di Caprio and Mark Wahlberg attached to the main roles
• Most producers did not want to make the film because they thought it 'wasn't commercial enough' and requested the writer write something more like Avatar (2008)

Distribution:

• Distribution Company UK: Entertainment One
• Distribution Company US: Warner Bros.
• Release Pattern: Wide Release, Standard Release
• Release Date UK: 27th September 2013
• Release Date US: 20th September 2013
• Premiere: Toronto Festival, 6th September 2013
• 5 Posters incl. 1 Teaser Poster
• 2 Theatrical Trailers, 5 TV Spots
• Soundtrack of the Score by Johann Johannsson
• DVD Release US: 17th December 2013
• DVD Release UK: 3rd Feb 2014
• Also on Blu-Ray and to rent & buy on Amazon Instant
• Warner Bros. involved in distributing the movie early in the Pre-Production process (before principal cast members had been cast)

Exhibition:

• Type of Cinema: Multiplex (e.g. Odeon/Vue)
• Number of Weeks: 11
• Number of Cinemas (UK Opening Weekend): 400
• Number of Cinemas: Week 2 - 437, Week 3 - 449, Week 4 - 412
• Opening Weekend US: $60,962,878
• Opening Weekend UK: £1,365,527
• Box Office Gross Worldwide: $122,126,687
• BBFC Classification: 15
• MPAA Rating: R (Originally an NC-17, before some frames were cut)
• Main Audience: Young Adult Males 18-30
• Reviews: Total Film - A simmering pressure cooker of a thriller, Prisoners is an unforgiving but emotionally rewarding experience sustained by powerhouse performances, taut scripting and Villeneuve’s tonally assured direction.
• Awards:
  Nomination: Academy Award - Best Achievement in Cinematography - Roger Deakins
  Nomination: Empire Award UK - Best Thriller
  Won: NBR Award - Best Ensemble
  3rd Place: Toronto Film Festival, People's Choice Award - Dennis Villeneuve
  Won: Hollywood Film Award - Best Supporting Actor - Jake Gyllenhaal
  (Among Other Awards)
• Special Features:
  Every Moment Matters - Discussion of the themes of the film
  Powerful Performances - Discussion of how the actors worked together on set