Absence of Malice (1981)
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- PG
- 1h 56min
- Drama, Romance
- 18 Dec 1981 (USA)
- Movie
When a prosecutor leaks to a Miami reporter that a liquor wholesaler is suspected in the murder of a union head, the man's life begins to unravel.
Director:
Writers:
Stars:
Awards:
- Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 3 wins & 5 nominations.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| Paul Newman | ... |
Michael Colin Gallagher
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| Sally Field | ... |
Megan Carter
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| Bob Balaban | ... |
Elliott Rosen
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| Melinda Dillon | ... |
Teresa Perrone
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| Luther Adler | ... |
Santos Malderone
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| Barry Primus | ... |
Bob Waddell
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| Josef Sommer | ... |
McAdam
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| John Harkins | ... |
Davidek
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| Don Hood | ... |
District Attorney Quinn
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| Wilford Brimley | ... |
James J. Wells
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Arnie Ross | ... |
Eddie Frost
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Phanie Napoli | ... |
Nickie
(as Anna Marie Napoles)
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Shelley Spurlock | ... |
Sarah Wylie
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| Shawn McAllister | ... |
Hood 1
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Joe Petrullo | ... |
Hood 2
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William Kerwin | ... |
Walker - Standard's Photographer
(as Rooney Kerwin)
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Oswaldo Calvo | ... |
John
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Clardy Malugen | ... |
Donna
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Sharon Anderson | ... |
Secretary
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Jody Wilson | ... |
Raggedy Lady
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| Ilse Earl | ... |
Nun
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Alfredo Álvarez Calderón | ... |
Rodriquez
(as Alfredo Alvarez Calderon)
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Pat Sullivan | ... |
Meersma
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Bill Hindman | ... |
Priest
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John Archie | ... |
FBI Agent
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Timothy Hawkins | ... |
FBI Agent
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Ricardo Márquez | ... |
FBI Agent
(as Ricardo Marquez)
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Patricia Matzdorff | ... |
Susan
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Diane Zolten | ... |
Reporter #1
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Kathy Suergiu | ... |
Reporter #2
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Jeff Gillen | ... |
Reporter #3
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Ted Bartsch | ... |
Beverage Manager
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Sugar Ray Mann | ... |
Copy Boy
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| Richard O'Barry | ... |
Driver
(as Richard O'Feldman)
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Chuck Lupo | ... |
Dock Boy
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| John DiSanti | ... |
Longshoreman
(as John Di Santi)
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Laurie V. Logan | ... |
McAdam's Assistant
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| Jack McDermott | ... |
News Staff
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Mark Harris | ... |
News Staff
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| Barbara Keegan | ... |
News Staff
(as Bobbie-Ellyne Kosstrin)
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Lynn Parraga | ... |
News Staff
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Lee Sandman | ... |
News Staff
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Barry Hober | ... |
News Staff
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Gary Van Auken | ... |
Marshall
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
| Rachel Jacobs | ... |
(uncredited)
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Directed by
| Sydney Pollack | ||
Written by
| Kurt Luedtke | ... | (written by) |
| David Rayfiel | ... | () (uncredited) |
Produced by
| Sydney Pollack | ... | producer |
| Ronald L. Schwary | ... | executive producer |
Music by
| Dave Grusin | ||
Cinematography by
| Owen Roizman | ... | director of photography |
Editing by
| Sheldon Kahn | ||
Editorial Department
| Sheri Eisenberg | ... | theatrical mastering colorist |
| Lois Freeman | ... | associate editor |
| Joe Mosca | ... | assistant editor |
| Richard Garibaldi | ... | home video mastering colorist (uncredited) |
Casting By
| Lynn Stalmaster | ||
Production Design by
| Terence Marsh | ||
Set Decoration by
| John Franco Jr. | ||
Costume Design by
| Bernie Pollack | ||
Makeup Department
| Terri Cannon | ... | hairstylist |
| Don L. Cash | ... | makeup artist |
| Dorothy J. Pearl | ... | makeup artist: Ms. Field (as Dorothy Pearl) |
Production Management
| Ronald L. Schwary | ... | production manager |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Rafael Elortegui | ... | second assistant director |
| David McGiffert | ... | assistant director |
Art Department
| Edward Aiona | ... | property master (as Edward A. Aiona) |
| Robert Boettcher | ... | assistant property master |
| Willie Marceau | ... | construction foreman |
| William S. Maxwell III | ... | leadman |
| John A. Scott III | ... | leadman |
| Chuck Stein | ... | construction coordinator |
| Philip Gips | ... | graphic designer (uncredited) |
Sound Department
| Ralph Babcock | ... | boom man |
| Neil Burrow | ... | sound editor |
| Tom E. Dahl | ... | re-recording mixer (as Tom Dahl) |
| Gordon Davidson | ... | supervising sound editor |
| Les Fresholtz | ... | re-recording mixer |
| Bert Hallberg | ... | sound mixer |
| Arthur Piantadosi | ... | re-recording mixer |
| Robert A. Reich | ... | sound editor |
| Chester Slomka | ... | sound editor (as Chester L. Slomka) |
Stunts
| Marc Mercury | ... | stunt performer (uncredited) |
Camera and Electrical Department
| James Glennon | ... | camera operator |
| Rob Hahn | ... | camera assistant |
| Gary Holt | ... | gaffer |
| Bob Rose | ... | key grip |
| Beau Gillespie | ... | video playback operator (uncredited) |
| Martin Pitts | ... | camera operator: second unit (uncredited) |
| Tim Ryan | ... | dolly grip (uncredited) |
| Don Smetzer | ... | still photographer (uncredited) |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Robert M. Moore | ... | costumer: men (as Bob Moore) |
| Rita Salazar | ... | costumer: women |
Location Management
| Ned McLeod | ... | location manager |
Music Department
| Else Blangsted | ... | music editor |
| Dan Wallin | ... | music scoring mixer |
| Dave Grusin | ... | conductor (uncredited) |
| Sally Stevens | ... | Lyricist: "Who Comes This Night?" source cue (uncredited) / singer (uncredited) |
| James Thatcher | ... | musician: French horn (uncredited) |
Script and Continuity Department
| Wilma Garscadden-Gahret | ... | script supervisor |
Transportation Department
| Michael McDuffee | ... | transportation captain (as Mike McDuffee) |
| Gerald R. Molen | ... | transportation coordinator |
| Hank Scelza | ... | transportation captain: Miami |
Additional Crew
| Patricia Matzdorff | ... | production coordinator |
| Penny McCarthy | ... | assistant auditor |
| Ken Ryan | ... | auditor |
| Beverly Walker | ... | publicist |
| Moby Griffin | ... | marine coordinator (uncredited) |
| Ned McLeod | ... | additional footage director (uncredited) |
Production Companies
- Columbia Pictures (presents)
- Mirage Enterprises
Distributors
- Columbia Pictures (1981) (United States) (theatrical)
- Columbia-EMI-Warner (1981) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- Warner Bros. (1982) (Norway) (theatrical)
- Warner-Columbia Film (1982) (France) (theatrical)
- Warner-Columbia Film (1982) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- Warner-Columbia Films (1982) (Argentina) (theatrical)
- Columbia Films (1982) (Japan) (theatrical)
- American Broadcasting Company (ABC) (1984) (United States) (tv)
- Videosonic (1986) (Greece) (VHS)
- GoodTimes Home Video (1989) (United States) (VHS)
- Columbia TriStar Home Video (1996) (United States) (VHS)
- Columbia TriStar Home Video (1998) (United States) (DVD)
- Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment (2001) (United Kingdom) (DVD)
- Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment (2001) (Germany) (DVD)
- Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment (2001) (Netherlands) (DVD)
- LK-TEL (2001) (Argentina) (VHS) (re-edited)
- LK-TEL (2001) (Argentina) (DVD)
- Nordisk Film (2001) (Sweden) (DVD)
- Universal Pictures (2004) (Sweden) (DVD)
- AXN (2007) (Japan) (tv)
- Image Entertainment (2011) (United States) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
- Columbia Films of India (1982) (India) (theatrical)
- Fox Columbia Film Distributors (1982) (Australia) (theatrical)
- Sony Pictures Releasing (1982) (India) (theatrical) (as Columbia Films of India)
- Canal+ (1984) (France) (tv) (dubbed version)
- Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment (Brazil) (DVD)
- Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment (Brazil) (VHS)
- France 3 (1987) (France) (tv) (dubbed version)
- LK-TEL (Argentina) (VHS)
- RCA / Columbia Pictures Video (United Kingdom) (VHS)
- RCA SelectaVision VideoDiscs (United States) (video)
- RCA/Columbia-Hoyts Home Video (1985) (Australia) (video)
- Umbrella Entertainment (2021) (Australia) (DVD)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- Beverly McDermott Casting (local casting)
- International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) (this picture made under the jurisdiction of)
- Lynn Stalmaster & Associates (casting)
- Pacific Title (opticals)
- Roundabout Entertainment (post-production facilities) (theatrical mastering)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
Mike Gallagher is a Miami liquor wholesaler whose deceased father was a local mobster. The FBI organized crime task force have no evidence that he's involved with the mob but decide to pressure him into perhaps revealing something - anything - about a murder they're sure was a mob hit. They let Megan Carter, a naive but well-meaning journalist, know he is being investigated and Gallagher's name is soon all over the newspaper. Gallagher has an iron-clad alibi for when the murder occurred but won't reveal it to protect his fragile friend Teresa. When Carter publishes her story, tragedy ensues. Needing to make amends, Carter tells Gallagher the source of the first story about him and he sets out to teach the FBI and the Federal Attorney a lesson. Written by garykmcd |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | In America can a man be guilty until proven innocent? See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
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Additional Details
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Box Office
| Budget | $12,000,000 (estimated) |
| Opening Weekend United States | $64,775, 22 Nov 1981 |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | According to Frank DiGiaomo, Paul Newman stated that this picture was a direct attack on the New York Post because it had published a caption with a photo of Newman, a caption that Newman stated was inaccurate. A row occurred, and the Post allegedly banned his name from appearing in the paper. See more » |
| Goofs | The union workers who struck told Michael that if their union cards were pulled, they would not be able to work anywhere. Florida is a right to work state and a union card is not needed to work. They would be considered "scabs", but they would be able to work at any dock in Miami. (At the time though, and possibly still, it's very unlikely that a non-union member would last long as a dock worker.) See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in Pixote, Ragtime, Buddy Buddy, Absence of Malice (1981). See more » |
| Quotes |
James J. Wells:
I tell you something, you're a smart fellow. Don't get too smart. I'm pretty smart myself. Michael Gallagher: Everybody in the room is smart. Everybody's just doing their job - and Teresa Perrone's dead. Who do I see about that? James J. Wells: Ain't nobody to see. I wish there was. You're excused now, sir. See more » |