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Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Binding: DVD
Brand: MORTENSEN,VIGGO
EAN: 0794043100956
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD-Video, Widescreen, NTSC
Label: New Line Home Video
Manufacturer: New Line Home Video
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: New Line Home Video
Region Code: 1
Release Date: March 14, 2006
Running Time: 96 minutes
Sales Rank: 1827
Studio: New Line Home Video
Theatrical Release Date: September 30, 2005
Related Items:
Editorial Review:
Description:
An average family is thrust into the spotlight after the father (Viggo Mortensen) commits a seemingly self-defense murder at his diner.
DVD Features:
Audio Commentary:Director David Cronenberg Commentary
Deleted Scenes:Deleted scene w/director commentary
Documentary:'Acts of Violence' documentary
Easter Eggs
Featurette:'The Unmakeing of Scene 44' 'Violence's History: U.S. vs. International Versions' 'Too Commercial for Cannes'
Amazon.com:
On the surface, David Cronenberg may seem an unlikely candidate to direct A History of Violence, but dig deeper and you'll see that he's the right man for the job. As an intellectual seeker of meaning and an avowed believer in Darwinian survival of the fittest, Cronenberg knows that the story of mild-mannered small-town diner proprietor Tom Stall (Viggo Mortensen) is in fact a multilayered examination of inbred human behavior, beginning when Tom's skillful killing of two would-be robbers draws unwanted attention to his idyllic family life in rural Indiana. He's got a loving wife (Maria Bello) and young daughter (Heidi Hayes) who are about to learn things about Tom they hadn't suspected, and a teenage son (Ashton Holmes) who has inherited his father's most prominent survival trait, manifesting itself in ways he never expected. By the time Tom has come into contact with a scarred villain (Ed Harris) and connections that lead him to a half-crazy kingpin (William Hurt, in a spectacular cameo), Cronenberg has plumbed the dark depths of human nature so skillfully that A History of Violence stands well above the graphic novel that inspired it (indeed, Cronenberg was unaware of the source material behind Josh Olson's chilling adaptation). With hard-hitting violence that's as sudden as it is graphically authentic, this is A History of Violence that's worthy of serious study and widespread acclaim. --Jeff Shannon
On the DVD
On a single disc and with little fanfare, this DVD makes an excellent case for the best extras of the year. Dive into the one-hour-long documentary and learn more about moviemaking than on many a double-disc. The secret lies in director David Cronenberg's (and his usual crew) folksy casualness in showing off the craft, be it makeup (green screens were used), directing (Cronenberg doesn't storyboard), or art direction (the diner set). It also is very funny to hear about 'fish Fridays' and how Maria Bello's Uncle Pete became an influence. Even the infamous sex-on-the-staircase scene is diagnosed with candor as stars Viggo Mortensen and Bello act as if there is no backstage camera. There's only one deleted scene, but it's uncommonly deconstructed on why it was filmed and why it was cut (it's a very Cronenbergian dream sequence). A short bit on Cannes is also a delight. So much is here that Cronenberg's smart commentary track is nearly superfluous. Isn't that a nice surprise? --Doug Thomas
More to Explore 
The Graphic Novel | 
Other Graphic Novels that Inspired Movies | 
David Cronenberg Essentials | 
Why We Love Maria Bello | 
The work of Viggo Mortensen | 
The work of William Hurt |
Stills from A History of Violence 
Viggo Mortensoe as Tom Stall |
Ashton Holmes as Jack Stall and Kyle Schmid as Bobby Jordan |
William Hurt as Richie Cusack |
Ed Harris as Carl Fogarty and Viggo Mortensen as Tom Stall |
Maria Bello as Edie Stall |
Director David Cronenberg |
Average Rating: 
Rating:  -
I hardly made it through this movie. I love Viggo Mortensen, and that's the only reason I stuck with it. The acting was sub par and left a LOT to be desired. Everyone was very monotone and inexpressive. The plot had the potential to be interesting, but wasn't followed through with. The soundtrack also was uninteresting and didn't really add to the film. If you want an interesting action movie, look elsewhere.
Rating:  -
WARNING: This film contains strong brutal violence, graphic sexuality/nudity, explicit language, and brief drug use.
In the film A History of Violence, director David Cronenberg (Videodrome and Crash) examines America's fascination with violence. At the same time, both compelling and disturbing, the film shows the way that violence affects the residents of a small town in the Midwest. Utilizing his sense of irony, as well as his cinematic ability to create suspense, Cronenberg focuses ... Read More
Rating:  -
Viggo Mortensen (A Perfect Murder, Lord Of The Rings 1-3) plays Tom Stall, a family man in a small town. Tom and his lovely wife (Maria Bello) live a peaceful, ordinary life raising their kids. All is well until a pair of cold-blooded killers decide to rob the diner where Tom works. In the chaos, Tom displays incredible fighting skills, taking out both men w/ quick, lethal force. Tom becomes a media hero, but just wants the whole incident to be forgotten. A few days later, a trio of well-dressed thugs ... Read More
Rating: -
The title may be off putting for some but this movie is a deep and intense look inside the human mind. Does the situation one is born into - a crime family of sorts - mean that that is the only option open to us or can we (at great personal risk) try to forge a better and more decent life for ourselves? I really felt for Tom and also for his family. The reactions were genuine and true to the drama. I had never seen Viggo in anything so this was an unknown factor for me. Since, Eastern Promises also ... Read More
Rating: -
One of those gems that didn't seem to get all the hype and publicity of the big films - this one is just one of those great finds - good story, acting, production.
Lots of suspense, all very believable. Any movie buff will enjoy. A thumbs up, check IMDB for the plot synopsis.
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