Human Cargo

Starring:Treat Williams, Stephen Lang, Sasson Gabai, Ze'ev Revach, Lawrence Dane, Rinan Haim, Uri Gavriel, Janet-Laine Green, Brandon Bone, Kristen Bone, Brent Bone, Elva Mai Hoover, Patrick Galligan, Imad Gibrin, Jack Adalist, Howard Rypp, Jack Messinger, Hamis Arbid, Babi Neeman, Matti Seri
Director: Simon Wincer
Studio: Showtime Ent.
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
Though it opens with the type of "we're not saying all Arabs are bad" disclaimer (not to mention the dreaded "based on a true story" logo) that leads you to fear the worst, Human Cargo actually portrays its cultural conflicts with refreshing fairness. In 1979, John McDonald (nicely played by Treat Williams as less a blissful optimist than a desperate man concealing his indignation with a mask of willed hopefulness) goes to Saudi Arabia expecting to construct prefab homes in collaboration with a wealthy sheik. His supposed partners, however, are tight-fisted con men, who foist all expenses on McDonald's shoulders and are perfectly willing to throw him in jail and confiscate his passport when he balks at paying. The film is horrified at the plutocratic iniquities of the Saudi legal system, but it doesn't hesitate to place equal responsibility for the grotesque mess on its hero, who stubbornly expects everyone to play by the same rules that work in Texas. Ironically, the film's only disappointing stretch is the failed suspense of its final act, which details McDonald's method of escape. By then, we've been put through the wringers of business negotiations and contract wagering so successfully it feels like an anticlimactic Hardy Boys riff. --Bruce Reid
Description
Separated from his country and family, John McDonald has one purpose--getting home. Treat Williams (Deep Rising) stars as John McDonald in the dramatic true story of an American businessman's terrifying fight to escape the treachery and torture of a corrupt Saudi Arabian sheik who's holding him prisoner. McDonald believes his big break has come when one of the wealthiest men in Arabia wants to sign a deal for his product. But during his trip to the Middle East, the deal quickly turns to disaster as McDonald is kidnapped, thrown in jail and lost in a world of fear and intimidation. Knowing his only hope is escape, McDonald risks his life in an incredible act of bravery.

Escape: Human Cargo [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.2 Import - Sweden ]
Average customer rating:
Escape: Human Cargo [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.2 Import - Sweden ]
Director: Simon Wincer
Manufacturer: ScanBox
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Human Cargo

ASIN: B000F8JB0C

Product Description

Sweden released, PAL/Region 2 DVD: it WILL NOT play on standard US DVD player. You need multi-region PAL/NTSC DVD player to view it in USA/Canada. LANGUAGES: English (Dolby Digital 2.0), Danish (Subtitles), Finnish (Subtitles), Norwegian (Subtitles), Swedish (Subtitles), SYNOPSIS: This taut made-for-television adventure is based on the true story of an American businessman who loses his passport and exit visa in Saudi Arabia. His dishonest clients exploit this fact and do all they can to hold him captive in their country, thereby forcing the American to take desperate measures to escape. SPECIAL FEATURES: Interactive Menu, Scene Access, Trailer(s),

Average customer rating:

And Bush kisses their Asses?
True to Life
This Should be Played More Often
Treat Williams is the man
Hideous

Human Cargo
Starring: Treat Williams , Stephen Lang , Sasson Gabai , Ze'ev Revach , and Lawrence Dane
Director: Simon Wincer
Manufacturer: Showtime Ent.
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Escape: Human Cargo [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.2 Import - Sweden ]

ASIN: 630563923X
Release Date: 1999-11-02

Amazon.com

Though it opens with the type of "we're not saying all Arabs are bad" disclaimer (not to mention the dreaded "based on a true story" logo) that leads you to fear the worst, Human Cargo actually portrays its cultural conflicts with refreshing fairness. In 1979, John McDonald (nicely played by Treat Williams as less a blissful optimist than a desperate man concealing his indignation with a mask of willed hopefulness) goes to Saudi Arabia expecting to construct prefab homes in collaboration with a wealthy sheik. His supposed partners, however, are tight-fisted con men, who foist all expenses on McDonald's shoulders and are perfectly willing to throw him in jail and confiscate his passport when he balks at paying. The film is horrified at the plutocratic iniquities of the Saudi legal system, but it doesn't hesitate to place equal responsibility for the grotesque mess on its hero, who stubbornly expects everyone to play by the same rules that work in Texas. Ironically, the film's only disappointing stretch is the failed suspense of its final act, which details McDonald's method of escape. By then, we've been put through the wringers of business negotiations and contract wagering so successfully it feels like an anticlimactic Hardy Boys riff. --Bruce Reid

Description

Separated from his country and family, John McDonald has one purpose--getting home. Treat Williams (Deep Rising) stars as John McDonald in the dramatic true story of an American businessman's terrifying fight to escape the treachery and torture of a corrupt Saudi Arabian sheik who's holding him prisoner. McDonald believes his big break has come when one of the wealthiest men in Arabia wants to sign a deal for his product. But during his trip to the Middle East, the deal quickly turns to disaster as McDonald is kidnapped, thrown in jail and lost in a world of fear and intimidation. Knowing his only hope is escape, McDonald risks his life in an incredible act of bravery.

Customer Reviews:

And Bush kisses their Asses? .......2005-06-06

Great movie. Nice portrayal of the darker side of life in Saudi Arabia. Leads one to once again ask why the U.S. is on such friendly terms with the Saudis, and is not more aggressive in pressing for human rights in that country. The answer, of course is oil. No war but class war.

True to Life.......2004-07-15

This movie (a true story) shows how an American tried to stand up for his rights, taking what we would consider a civil matter to court. HE ends up in jail.

A good friend, who was retired AF, worked in Saudi Arabia for five years with their AF. He said this movie is one of the best depictions of life in a Middle East country and of the single-minded, anal retentive nature of the inhabitants, that he has seen. The only book allowed, is the Koran. Alcohol is, of course forbidden. And the locals can denegrate and abuse westerners at will, with no interference from the "law". Should westerners try to defend themselves, THEY are at fault.

This movie is an excellent introduction to the limited mindset of the Middle East and the terrorist with which we are currently at war. It should be seen by all Americans. Know your enemy.

This Should be Played More Often.......2004-05-02

This is an outstanding movie. In these days and in an industry that is so afraid to offend the Muslim world, movies like this have been buried.

I have had personal experience of such acts that have played out in this film. This culture is flawed just as our own.

A definate must see.

Treat Williams is the man.......2003-11-22

It's a shame this movie has been so overlooked because it was a small project but had some real talent behind it. The people detracting from it on this site didn't care to back up their reviews, but I assume they thought they were getting an action film.

Truth be told, that was what I was expecting years ago when I first saw the movie. I was only 13, and thinking I was about to see an action film when I really wasn't could have eaily bored me silly. But I was pleasantly surprised.

Human Cargo is a thriller about a naive but likeable businessman in a world of corruption where he has no power, and is quickly overwhelmed.

The cultural representation of the Arabs is fair I guess, I did some research and any extreme culture clash moments were a result of the particular men the hero was dealing with. As an american film, it certainly has an American bias, and we feel as lost as McDonald in this strange land. The suspense of the culture bearing down on him is palaptle, the american "haven" that he retreats to it like base in a game of tag. Even if you aren't much for legality, this film will have you with McDonald every step of the way as he gets more and more over his head.

Treat Williams is the man. He's a truly underrated actor and has real screen presence. He has a mature charisma and a great yelling voice.

My only complaint is the gratuitous nudity in the beginning. If it had some reason for being there, or if the rest of the film had some, it might be acceptable, but it is just there, (and not erotic, by the way)

Totally original, filled with suspense, great acting, and a paranoid atmosphere, HUMAN CARGO is a great film

Hideous.......2002-09-28

maybe the story was true, but the movie doesn't have any reality element in it.

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