Reindeer Games is a Christmas-themed action film, produced for Dimension Films by Marty Katz, and notably the final film directed by John Frankenheimer. It was based upon the trademark of St. Nicholas Music, originated for use in the song "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer". Originally slated for a Christmas 1999 release, the film's release was delayed for two months after a failed test screening. After much re-editing and reshoots, it was finally released in theaters on February 25, 2000.
Synopsis[]
Nick Cassidy and Rudy Duncan are cellmates in prison two days away from release. Nick has been corresponding with a young woman named Ashley Mercer, who is waiting for him on the outside. After Nick dies in a prison fight, Rudy assumes his identity so that Ashley will think he is the one who has been writing to her. Gabriel, the leader of a gang and Ashley’s brother, kidnaps Rudy and Ashley in their cabin and tells Rudy that the gang, with the help of "Nick", will rob the casino that Nick used to work at. Rudy reveals that he is not Nick, but Ashley believes that he is. She reveals that she wrote to him knowing that Gabriel was going to force Rudy to assist in the robbery.
Using the information from the real Nick’s prison cell stories, Rudy is able to devise a robbery plan and informs Gabriel that the biggest loot is hidden inside a safe in the manager Jack Bangs's office. One night, Rudy breaks out of his hotel room and stumbles upon Gabriel and Ashley and learns that they are lovers and not siblings, but he is forced to return to his room when he is almost caught.
The group robs the casino, each dressed as Santa Claus. Rudy, forced to take part in the robbery, hides the fact that he knows Ashley’s secret. Shots are fired, and security guards and Santas are shot. Ashley drives into the Casino and lets Nick/Rudy know she is in on the heist. All meeting in the manager's office, Gabriel introduces Rudy to the casino manager as Nick but the manager recognizes that he is not Nick and Rudy confesses. Gabriel, furious at Rudy’s deception, spares him for a moment when he demands to know where the "PowWow” safe is. When the manager opens the safe, he grabs guns from inside and kills one of the robbers as the rest flee. The casino manager dies during the shootout. Rudy kills another one of the robbers and is then grabbed by Gabriel and Ashley who tie him up in their 18-wheeler truck.
They plan to drive him off the edge of a cliff in a burning vehicle with a little of the money so that officials will guess all the stolen money had been burned. After accidentally revealing too much information during an argument with Rudy, Ashley shoots and kills the now suspicious Gabriel. Shortly after, Nick appears, having staged his death at the prison. It is revealed that Ashley's real name is Millie Bobeck and Rudy learns that the two had collaborated to rob the casino using Rudy, Gabriel, and Gabriel's gang. Millie had known the entire time who Rudy truly was. Nick also informs Rudy that the prison stories were part of a set-up.
After they tie Rudy to the steering wheel to drive off the cliff, he produces a knife he had gotten earlier, cuts his bindings, hot wires the car, sets it to reverse and crushes Nick's legs. With Millie firing at him, he rams the fiery car into her and dives out as the car and Millie go over the cliff. Nick, who is still alive, tries to convince Rudy that they can share the money but Rudy locks him in the truck and also sends it over the cliff. Rudy picks up the stolen cash and begins distributing it in mailboxes he comes across on the way home to his family, and he eats a Christmas dinner with them. The film closes with Rudy smiling.
Songs[]
| Title | Performed by |
|---|---|
| "Silver Bells" | |
| "At Last" | Etta James |
| "Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow" | Dean Martin |
| "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" | Brenda Lee |
| "Joy to the World" | |
| "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" | |
| "What Christmas Means to Me" | Stevie Wonder |
| "Love Rollercoaster" | Ohio Players |
| "Festive Medley" | |
| "Little Drummer Boy" | |
| "Jingle Bells" |
Cast[]
| Actor/actress | Character(s) |
|---|---|
| Ben Affleck | Rudy Duncan |
| James Frain | Nick Cassidy |
| Dana Stubblefield | The Alamo |
| Mark Acheson | Mean Guard |
| Tom Heaton | Ugly Staffer |
| Isaac Hayes | Zook |
| Michael Sunczyk Douglas H. Arthurs |
Distant Inmates |
| Dean Wray Ron Sauve |
Guards |
| Hrothgar Mathews | Exit Guard |
| Charlize Theron | Ashley |
| Clarence Williams III | Merlin |
| Donal Logue | Pug |
| Danny Trejo | Jumpy |
| Gary Sinise | Gabriel |
| Dennis Farina | Jack Bangs |
| Gordon Tootoosis | Old Governor |
| Lee Jay Bamberry | Young Governor |
| Frank Jones | Security Boss |
| Jimmy Herman | Bartender |
| John Destry | Fat Guy |
| Ashton Kutcher | College Kid |
| Ana Paula Piedade | Portuguese Woman |
| Enuka Okuma Eva De Viveiros |
Cocktail Waitresses |
| Ron Perkins | Ice Fisherman |
| Joanna Piros | TV Newscaster |
| Robyn Driscoll | Desk Clerk |
| Lonny Chapman | Old Timer |
| Alonso Oyarzun | Casino Dealer |
| Rod Wolfe Marcus Hondro |
Cashiers |
| Sam Bob | Video Guard |
| Jacob Rupp David Jacox |
Park Rangers |
| Anna Hagan | Mother |
| Ken Camroux | Father |
| Terry O'Sullivan | Aunt Mary |
| Michael Puttonen | Bill |
| Paula Shaw | Aunt Lisbeth |
| Don S. Williams | Uncle Ray |
| Jenafor Ryane | Jill |
| James Hutson | Mike |
| Wendy Noel | Stacey |
| Blair Slater | Sam |
| Credited/Uncredited | |
| Ron Hyatt Larry Lam |
Prisoners |
External links[]
- Reindeer Games at the Internet Movie Database
- Reindeer Games at Rotten Tomatoes
- Reindeer Games at RetroJunk.com
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