A Civil Action (film)
| A Civil Action | |
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Theatrical release poster
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| Directed by | Steven Zaillian |
| Produced by |
Scott Rudin Steven Zaillian David Wisnievitz Robert Redford Rachel Pfeffer David McGiffert Henry J. Golas |
| Written by | Steven Zaillian |
| Based on |
A Civil Action 1995 book by Jonathan Harr |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Danny Elfman |
| Cinematography | Conrad L. Hall |
| Edited by | Wayne Wahrman |
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Production
company |
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| Distributed by |
Buena Vista Pictures (North America) United International Pictures (International) |
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Release date
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Running time
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115 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $75 million |
| Box office | $56,709,981 |
A Civil Action is a 1998 American drama film that was directed by Steven Zaillian, that stars John Travolta (as plaintiff's attorney Jan Schlichtmann) and Robert Duvall, and that is based on the book of the same name by Jonathan Harr. Both the book and the film are based on a true story of a court case about environmental pollution that took place in Woburn, Massachusetts, in the 1980s.
The movie and court case revolve around the issue of trichloroethylene, an industrial solvent, and its contamination of a local aquifer. A lawsuit was filed over industrial operations that appeared to have caused fatal cases of leukemia and cancer, as well as a wide variety of other health problems, among the citizens of the town. The case involved is Anne Anderson, et al., v. Cryovac, Inc., et al.. The first reported decision in the case is at 96 F.R.D. 431 (denial of defendants' motion to dismiss).
Duvall was nominated for an Academy Award for his performance.
Environmental toxins in the city of Woburn, Massachusetts contaminate the area's water supply, and become linked to a number of deaths of neighboring children. Jan Schlichtmann (John Travolta), a cocky and successful Boston attorney who zips around town in his Porsche, and his small firm of personal injury lawyers are asked by Woburn resident Anne Anderson (Kathleen Quinlan) to take legal action against those responsible.
After originally rejecting a seemingly unprofitable case, Jan finds a major environmental issue involving groundwater contamination that has great legal potential and a couple of defendants with deep pockets. The local tanneries could be responsible for several deadly cases of leukemia, but also are the main employers for the area. Jan decides to go forward against two giant corporations (real-life companies Beatrice Foods and W. R. Grace and Company) with links to the tanneries, thinking that the case could possibly earn him millions, as well as enhancing his and his firm's already considerable reputation.
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