Product Details

• Actors: Bette Midler, Danny DeVito, Judge Reinhold, Helen Slater, Anita Morris
• Directors: David Zucker, Jerry Zucker, Jim Abrahams
• Writers: Dale Launer, O. Henry
• Producers: Joanna Lancaster, Michael Peyser, Richard Wagner
• Format: Color, HiFi Sound, NTSC
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Walt Disney Video
• VHS Release Date: July 31, 1989
• Run Time: 93 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (65 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6300276570
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #92,643 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

A milestone comedy of the 1980s, Ruthless People delighted critics and audiences alike and set the tone of Hollywood comedies for years to come. Along with that other popular farce about wealthy Californians, Down and Out in Beverly Hills, this ingenious romp revived Bette Midler's career and launched Disney (by way of its subsidiary, Touchstone Pictures) into the lucrative production of R-rated comedies; it also ensured the star power of then-TV star Danny DeVito. Dale Launer became Hollywood's hot screenwriter du jour by cleverly reworking O. Henry's Ransom of Red Chief into a wicked tale of marital malice heightened by a bungled kidnapping. Midler is sublime as the victim of low-rent abductors ("I've been kidnapped by Kmart!"), and DeVito's the gleeful philanderer who refuses to pay ransom for his wife's unwanted return. With Anita Morris, Judge Reinhold, Helen Slater, and Bill Pullman among the plot-twisting schemers, the movie's so much fun that an eventual remake seems almost inevitable. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great movie, with non-stop hilarity!, April 21, 2005

By 

Kurt A. Johnson (North-Central Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Ruthless People (DVD)

Sam Stone (played by Danny DeVito), millionaire women's clothing mogul, is tired of his fat, irritating wife Barbara (Bette Midler), and is ready to murder her. But, when he finds out that she has been kidnapped, and will be murdered if anything goes wrong, all of his dreams have come true. Ken Kessler (Judge Rienhold) and his wife Sandy (Helen Slater) were ripped off by Sam, and figure that by kidnapping Barbara, and getting Sam's money that they would be even, but they wouldn't hurt a fly. Sam's mistress Carol (Anita Morris) has a boy toy of her own and wants to get her hands on Sam's money. Also, there's a cold-blooded murderer stalking L.A. and he could be anywhere. Oh oh, this could get complicated...and hilarious!

This is a great movie! Created by Zucker, Abrahams, and Zucker, this offbeat movie is just as funny as their other hits, Airplane and The Naked Gun, but has a more solid storyline. I loved the characters and the non-stop hilarity, and have watched this movie many times over the years.

Now, I must mention that this movie is rated R for a reason. There are numerous "adult" scenes (though no nudity) and a good deal of swearing. So, if you are going to watch this movie with the whole family, you'll have to stand by the fast forward button.

But, that said this is a great movie, with non-stop hilarity! If you are looking for a side-splitting movie, then look no further. Buy this movie!

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An 80's comedy time capsule!, November 11, 2000

By 

Alan Russo (Cambridge, MA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ruthless People [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I hope everyone didn't forget that Bette Midler was the highest grossing female film star of the 80's! This is the classic that will prove how she got the attention. This was released after Down And Out In Beverly Hills which brought Bette back into popularity at the movies. In fact, Down... is probably considered her funniest movie. I think Ruthless outshines all her comedies. It's sooo 80's, too! Scene after scene, this movie moves along with no time to be bored. Acting is perfect by all. Although Danny and Bette are never seen together until the end, they look so cute together. Danny Devito wants his abrasive wife kidnaped! Judge Reinhold had his multi million dollar idea stolen from Devito. Devito's mistress wants his money. And did I mention the serial killer? Very funny! I hope this will soon be re-released on DVD!

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Ruthless Comedy!, September 8, 2002

By 

Michael Crane (Orland Park, IL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ruthless People (DVD)

It's about time that "Ruthless People" is finally out to own on DVD. I remember seeing this movie when I was really little, and I loved every minute. Now, almost 21 years old, I was able to get all of the little jokes that I didn't get when I was little. This is still a favorite, doesn't matter how old the movie is. "Ruthless People" is a laugh-riot that will leave you begging for more!

Millionaire Sam Stone hates his wife. How much? Enough that he is prepared to kill her. But when he gets home and is ready to do the deed, his wife, Barbara, is nowhere to be found. Instead, he gets a phone call from kidnappers who threaten to kill her if he does not pay the ransom. So what does Sam do? He celebrates!!! The movie and plot gets twisted and funnier as the minutes roll by.

The cast is terrific; including Danny DeVito, Judge Reinhold, Helen Slater, and Bette Midler. They are hillarious in this evil and twisting comedy. DeVito really steals the show and is absolutley hillarious.

The DVD, I admit, is quite poor. There is litterally no special features at all. Picture is good, not great. But keep in mind, that this is an old movie. For it being such an old movie, the picture looks pretty good. Even though the DVD isn't the best, I don't care. I just wanted the movie, that's all. And that's what I got. Doesn't matter to me if there are special features or not on this one.

"Ruthless People" is a cult classic and a terrific comedy that abandons the routine boring formula. It takes risks, it's well-written, and it is still one of the funniest movies out on the market today. Check this one out when you can.