The defence The Auteur Devotee
“Form is the argument.”
Every composed frame and deliberate cut is evidence that control can be thrilling in its own right.
Back to trending 
The Spanish Prisoner
Drama · Mystery · Thriller · 1997
An inventor of a secret process suddenly finds himself alone as both his friends and the corporation he works for turn against him.
Movie details
The Spanish Prisoner
“It's the oldest con in the book.”
1997 Drama · Mystery · Thriller 1h 50m
Critical arithmetic
One number, for now.
Scores change. Arguments endure.
TMDB
6.8 / 10
Community rating
An inventor of a secret process suddenly finds himself alone as both his friends and the corporation he works for turn against him.
CriticWise case file
What this film says about your taste.
Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.
The archetype split
Who fights over The Spanish Prisoner?
For the defence
The Auteur Devotee
“You watch the director, not the movie.”
Read their case For the prosecution
The Popcorn Loyalist
“Big screen, big feelings, no apologies.”
Read their objectionThe split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.
Taste neighbourhood
Nearby on the taste map.
TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.
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Primer
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The Mask of Dimitrios
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Footsteps in the Fog
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Elephant Song
Drama · 2015
A psychiatrist is drawn into a complex mind game when he questions a disturbed patient about the disappearance of a colleague.
The Caveman's Valentine
Drama · 2001
Romulus, a misunderstood musician turned recluse hiding from personal demons in a New York City cave, finds the frozen body of a young drifter in a tree. The authorities, including his police officer daughter, claim the death is accidental. Romulus is convinced the man was murdered by a prominent art photographer but how can he prove he's right when everyone thinks he's insane?
Where it lives
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Names above the title
The people responsible.
Cast & crew
Directed by
David Mamet
Written by
David Mamet
Steve Martin
Jimmy Dell
Campbell Scott
Joe Ross
Ben Gazzara
Mr. Klein
Rebecca Pidgeon
Susan Ricci
Ricky Jay
George Lang
Felicity Huffman
Pat McCune
David Pittu
Resort Manager
Court is in session
Put The Spanish Prisoner on trial.
Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.
The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist
“Technique in search of a pulse.”
Immaculate construction is still construction. The film may be too busy proving its craft to feel alive.