IMDb on iPhone and iPod touch Learn more Learn more Download from the App Store
IMDb > Le grand bleu (1988)
Le grand bleu
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user reviewsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

Le grand bleu (1988) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 49 | slideshow) Videos (see all 2)
Le grand bleu (1988) -- Open-ended Trailer from Columbia Tristar
Le grand bleu (1988) -- Open-ended Trailer from Columbia Tristar

Overview

User Rating:
7.4/10   16,882 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 14% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Luc Besson (story)
Luc Besson (screenplay) ...
more
Contact:
View company contact information for The Big Blue on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
22 September 1988 (West Germany) more
Genre:
Tagline:
Between what you know and what you wish, lies the secret of... [The Big Blue] more
Plot:
Enzo and Jacques have known each other for a long time. Their friendship started in their childhood days in the Mediterranean... more | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
3 wins & 6 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(4 articles)
King of cool
 (From The Guardian - Film News. 5 December 2009, 4:05 PM, PST)

DVD Release Roundup – Mon 14th September 09
 (From FilmShaft.com. 11 September 2009, 11:02 AM, PDT)

User Reviews:
The Greatest Dream Movie of All Time more (127 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Rosanna Arquette ... Johana Baker
Jean-Marc Barr ... Jacques Mayol

Jean Reno ... Enzo Molinari
Paul Shenar ... Dr. Laurence
Sergio Castellitto ... Novelli
Jean Bouise ... Uncle Louis
Marc Duret ... Roberto

Griffin Dunne ... Duffy
Andréas Voutsinas ... Priest (as Andreas Voutsinas)
Valentina Vargas ... Bonita
Kimberly Beck ... Sally (as Kimberley Beck)
Patrick Fontana ... Alfredo
Alessandra Vazzoler ... La Mamma (Enzo's Mother)
Geoffrey Carey ... Supervisor (as Geoffroy Carey)
Bruce Guerre-Berthelot ... Young Jacques
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
The Big Blue (Philippines: English title) (UK) (USA)
Le grand bleu, version intégrale (France) (director's cut)
Le grand bleu, version longue (France) (director's cut)
more
Runtime:
168 min (director's cut) | France:132 min (original cut) | USA:118 min (edited version)
Country:
Color:
Color (Eastmancolor)
Aspect Ratio:
2.20 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) | Dolby SR (35 mm prints)
Certification:
Canada:A (Nova Scotia) (edited US version) | Canada:G (Quebec) (edited US version) | Canada:PG (Manitoba/Ontario) (edited US version) | Portugal:M/12 | Australia:PG | Denmark:11 (director's cut) | Finland:S | France:U | Norway:10 (1989) | Singapore:M18 | South Korea:15 | Sweden:11 | UK:15 | USA:PG-13 (original rating) | USA:PG (original release) (edited for re-rating) | USA:R (director's cut) | West Germany:12 | Iceland:12
Company:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Director Trademark: [Luc Besson] [reno] more
Goofs:
Continuity: Johanna's Cigarette when she is giving her initial report to her boss in New York. more
Quotes:
Enzo: You were right.
Jacques: About what?
Enzo: It's much better down there... It's a better place...
Jacques: no...
Enzo: Push me back in the water...
Jacques: No, I couldn't...
Enzo: Jacques... Take me back down... Please...
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in À cause d'un garçon (2002) (TV) more
Soundtrack:
MY LADY BLUE more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
56 out of 69 people found the following review useful.
The Greatest Dream Movie of All Time, 22 October 2000
10/10
Author: Loff24 from Portugal

This movie is the most fantastic contemplation of earth paradise in existence.

First it's imperative that we notice one major difference: the short version and the "version longue" are two completely different films. From tip to toe. I only knew this film previously in its short version. Yesterday I bought the "version longue" in my local FNAC store without subtitles (it's rare these days).

And.................... I fell in love with everything about it, stunned and mesmerized, being at the same time riddled by the way that the short version lost all sense, in comparison with the "longue" version. You can think of an integral version like a way to stuff a film with pictures, but in this movie we have the feeling that the movie was intended to have 164 minutes, and not nearly two.

And you can picture the transformation that occurred in my perception of this film, as I passed from that mutilated, full-screen, mono-sound version to a full, widescreen and hi-fi version. This is why "Le Grand Bleu" passed from just a movie by Luc Besson to the greatest movie of my greatest director.

My perception is that this is the great underwater epic he always wanted to make. And he achieves it in every way, specially letting the audience identify themselves with it.

Perhaps my favorite Besson movie was "The Fifth Element" (I like them all), but after having the privilege of experiencing this fantastic, beautiful, stunning, vivid and moving film, "The Big Blue" passed from one of the medium levels to definitely the top one. The characters all gained strength, the underwater scenes all made sense, the previous movie was completely backed up, and the feeling that this movie was a contemplative journey gained finally its place.

I gave it a 10 out of 10, not for the US version (how can they even think of erasing Eric Serra's score?!?!?) which, for its mutilations, deserved a 1, but for the version longue, which is the only way the movie shall be seen. What a masterpiece! After I saw this movie, I rewinded it thinking that my only wish is that one day I get to take part on such an experience, being there, dreaming and sharing my dream with everyone who would like to share it with me. Perhaps one day, a beautiful blue day...

Was the above review useful to you?
more (127 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Le grand bleu (1988)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
I didn't like it (spoilers) cristiklein
The Big Blue - French or American phish_100
where to buy the bluray version? channelx99
Jean Reno's best performance!!! s_aucejo
Game - Who would you cast instead of Rosanna Arquette? Duffy3
Bleu Ray? acegreenview303
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Marie Galante Titanic Around the World in Eighty Days The Devil Wears Prada
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Drama section IMDb France section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.