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Ruthless People
Theatrical release poster
Directed byJim Abrahams
David Zucker
Jerry Zucker
Written byDale Launer
Produced byMichael Peyser
Starring
CinematographyJan de Bont
Edited byGib Jaffe
Arthur Schmidt
Music byMichel Colombier
Charlie Midnight
Production
companies
Distributed byBuena Vista Distribution
Release date
  • June 27, 1986 (1986-06-27)
Running time
94 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$9-13 million[1][2]
Box office$71.6 million[3]

Ruthless People is a 1986 American black comedy film directed by David Zucker, Jim Abrahams, and Jerry Zucker and written by Dale Launer. It stars Danny DeVito, Bette Midler, Judge Reinhold, Anita Morris, and Helen Slater, with Bill Pullman in a supporting role in his film debut. The film is the story of a couple who kidnap their ex-boss's wife to get revenge and extort money from him. They soon realize he does not want her back and was planning to kill her himself. Meanwhile, the boss's mistress plans a blackmail attempt on him, which also fails to go as planned.

The film was a critical and commercial success. This was the last film released under the Touchstone Films label before Walt Disney Studios changed the name of the label to Touchstone Pictures as well as the last film directed by the Zucker, Abrahams and Zucker trio together.

Plot

[edit]

Beverly Hills fashion tycoon Sam Stone despises his wife, Barbara, having married her for her family wealth, and plans to murder her so he can inherit her $15 million[a] fortune and retire with his mistress Carol. He returns home armed with chloroform but finds Barbara is missing and receives a call from her abductor, demanding $500,000 for her return and threatening to kill her if the police or media are involved. Hoping to get Barbara killed, a delighted Sam deliberately ignores the demands.

The abductors, Ken and Sandy Kessler, are a lower-class couple targeting Sam because he built his business using the Kesslers' life savings and fashion designs he stole from Sandy. They detain Barbara in their basement but she proves difficult to control, and Sandy feels guilty about their actions. Intending to financially blackmail Sam, Carol sends her lover Earl to film Sam at the cliff from which he intended to dispose of Barbara, but, unaware of Sam's appearance, Earl unwittingly films a man having sex with a prostitute, mistaking her screams for Barbara dying. Without watching the tape, Carol forwards a copy to Sam who assumes it is a seductive birthday present, and she interprets his lewd response as a threat, causing her and Earl to go into hiding.

Bored and overweight, Barbara begins following television exercise programs. She is eventually overjoyed to realize she has lost 20 pounds (9 kg) and bonds with Sandy after being impressed by her fashion ideas and dress designs, into which she now can fit. Meanwhile, Ken repeatedly drops the ransom price, eventually reaching $10,000, but Sam refuses to pay and encourages Ken to kill Barbara. Although Ken is confronted as a suspect because of tire tracks at the Stone residence, the investigation is redirected when Carol, hoping to incriminate Sam, sends another copy of the tape to police chief Henry Benton, unaware he is the man on the tape. Assuming he is being blackmailed, Benton has Sam investigated and arrested following the discovery of the chloroform and photos of him with Carol.

Realizing he is incapable of being a ruthless criminal, Ken returns home to collect Sandy and flee to Mexico. He learns that Sandy has released Barbara and they want to work together to develop and sell Sandy's fashion designs. The Bedroom Killer, a notorious local serial killer, invades their home and confronts them and Barbara as she returns, leading to an altercation in which he dies after falling down the basement stairs. Realizing that Sam wanted her dead and having learned of his affair, Barbara collaborates with Ken and Sandy to take revenge by blackmailing him for his entire personal fortune worth over $2.2 million.[b] After being bailed out of jail, Sam reluctantly collects the ransom in a briefcase, desperate to prove his innocence in Barbara's disappearance. Carol finally views the tape and, realizing Earl's mistake, reconnects with Sam to learn when the ransom handover will take place and that the police, now distrustful of Sam, will not accompany him.

Earl ambushes Sam and a masked Ken at the exchange, but they are surrounded by scores of SWAT officers, and Earl is arrested. Ken warns the cops that Barbara will be killed if they try to stop him, and drives off followed by a police convoy. Cornered, he drives off the end of the Santa Monica Pier and seemingly drowns. The police recover the body of the Bedroom Killer, disguised as Ken, from the car but are unable to locate the ransom money. Despite his loss, Sam is elated that Barbara must be dead until she arrives on the pier, identifies the Killer as her abductor, and kicks Sam into the water. Elsewhere, Ken emerges from the ocean in scuba gear, carrying the briefcase, and celebrates with the waiting Sandy and Barbara.

Cast

[edit]
  • Danny DeVito
    Danny DeVito
    (pictured in 2019)
  • Bette Midler
    Bette Midler
    (pictured in 1990)
  • Judge Reinhold
    Judge Reinhold
    (pictured in 1994)
  • Helen Slater
    Helen Slater
    (pictured in 2009)

Production

[edit]

The set design for the majority of the interiors of the home of Sam and Barbara Stone extensively employs the Italian radical design furniture and lighting from the Memphis Group.

The directors normally wrote all their own material. However, they were contacted by Michael Eisner, who became head of Disney after working with the trio at Paramount. According to David Zucker, Eisner "said he had a script that we wouldn't be able to turn down and he was right. It was too good. It was very well written with great characters. And hey we wouldn't have to leave town to do it."[4]

While directing, Jerry Zucker would be on set talking to the actors while the other two would watch from monitors and give comments.[4]

The trio found the making of the film difficult due to them having to direct a script none of them had written as well as the film's style being different from their previous work. It also contributed to their eventual split in the 90s, with Jerry Zucker stating: “It became evident that if we were going to do (scripts written by other people), we’d have to direct separately.”[5]

Reception

[edit]

"This film takes a good, simple idea — the kidnapping of a nagging wife whose husband doesn't want her back — and adds some charismatic casting: Danny DeVito and Bette Midler. One of the delights of the movie is that its script dares to complicate what could have been a much more straightforward yarn. Danny DeVito's character of Sam Stone, a vulgar, wealthy, Bel Air dress manufacturer, is a hard-nosed classic, admitting in the film's opening sequence that he married his wife because she was very, very rich and her wealthy father was very, very sick. Ruthless People contains some of the biggest laughs of 1986."

The film was a financial success, grossing $71.6 million[3] compared to the relatively frugal budget of the film's production. It was Disney's highest-grossing film (excluding reissues).[7] On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 93% based on 43 reviews, with an average score of 7.1/10. The website's critical consensus reads: "It's sometimes crude and tasteless, but Ruthless People wrings acid-soaked laughs out of its dark premise and gleefully misanthropic characters."[8] On Metacritic, the film received a score of 78 based on 15 reviews.[9] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A−" on an A+ to F scale.[10]

Roger Ebert said that the film "is made out of good performances, a script of diabolical ingenuity, and a whole lot of silliness."[11] Leonard Maltin agreed that this "clever farce" has "lots of laughs, bright performances, but turns sour: these really are unpleasant people!"[12]

Although it has been argued that Ruthless People was influenced by O. Henry's story "The Ransom of Red Chief", writer Dale Launer claims that it was inspired by the kidnapping of Patricia Hearst and that the similarities between the film and the earlier story were a coincidence.[13]

The Telugu film Money is loosely based on this film.

Soundtrack

[edit]
Ruthless People
Soundtrack album by
Various artists
Released1986 (1986)
Recorded1986
GenreSoundtrack
LabelEpic

The album's soundtrack was released on Epic Records. The track, "Waiting to See You" by Dan Hartman, is missing the first several drum bars on the CD release contained on the vinyl and cassette releases.[citation needed] The soundtrack version of "Ruthless People" is similar to the version heard in the film, including both an extended intro and a second verse edited out of the single version.[citation needed]

Track list

[edit]
  1. "Ruthless People" – Mick Jagger
  2. "Give Me the Reason" – Luther Vandross
  3. "Modern Woman" – Billy Joel
  4. "Wherever I Lay My Hat (That's My Home)" – Paul Young
  5. "No Say In It" – Machinations
  6. "Waiting to See You" – Dan Hartman
  7. "Dance Champion" – Kool and The Gang
  8. "Neighborhood Watch" – Michel Colombier
  9. "Stand on It" – Bruce Springsteen
  10. "Don't You Want My Love" – Nicole McCloud

Charts

[edit]
Chart (1986) Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[14] 78
US Top Pop Albums (Billboard)[15] 20

See also

[edit]

Film portal

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Ruthless People

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Ruthless People is a 1986 American black comedy film directed by Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, and Jerry Zucker, and written by Dale Launer.[1] The story centers on a wealthy garment manufacturer, Sam Stone (played by Danny DeVito), who despises his shrill wife Barbara (Bette Midler) and plots her murder, only to be overjoyed when she is unexpectedly kidnapped by a struggling couple (Judge Reinhold and Helen Slater) seeking revenge and ransom.[2] Released on June 27, 1986, by Touchstone Pictures, the 93-minute R-rated film blends slapstick humor with dark satire on greed and marital discord.[3] The movie received widespread critical acclaim for its sharp script, ensemble performances—particularly DeVito's portrayal of the scheming antihero—and inventive plot twists, earning a 93% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 45 reviews.[2] Commercially successful, it grossed $71.6 million domestically against a $13 million budget, becoming one of the top-grossing films of 1986 and solidifying the directors' reputation following Airplane! and Top Secret!.[4][1] Its soundtrack featured Billy Joel's "Modern Woman."

Synopsis and Characters

Plot

Wealthy garment manufacturer Sam Stone plots to murder his estranged wife Barbara, whom he views as a nagging shrew, in order to inherit her $15 million fortune from her wealthy father.[5] Desperate for the money to fund his escape with his mistress Carol, Sam enlists a hitman but is interrupted when amateur criminals Ken and Sandy Kessler, a struggling couple whom Sam previously cheated out of their clothing designs and savings, kidnap Barbara from a high-end shopping mall.[3] The Kesslers demand a $500,000 ransom and conceal Barbara in the basement of their modest home, unaware that Sam receives their call with secret delight, as he refuses to pay in hopes that the kidnappers will simply kill her and solve his problem.[5] As days pass, Barbara, initially terrified and demanding, begins to empower herself through relentless aerobics sessions using an exercise tape, shedding weight and building resilience while bonding with Sandy over shared frustrations with unreliable men.[3] Sam, feigning concern for the police and media, continues his affair with Carol and dodges the investigation led by bumbling detective Lt. Walters, but complications escalate when Carol, impatient for her share, secretly records Sam discussing the murder plot on audio tape and attempts to blackmail him for $2.2 million. Separately, a video tape accidentally captures an unrelated encounter involving a prostitute and Lt. Walters, leading to mistaken identities, police raids on the wrong targets, and the Kesslers' repeated failed attempts to dispose of Barbara or escape with her amid growing suspicions.[5][3] In the climax, the Kesslers demand the inflated ransom from Sam, who reluctantly agrees but plots to double-cross them with the hitman; meanwhile, a violent intruder interrupts their hideout, only to be subdued.[5] Barbara and the Kesslers outwit Sam by framing the intruder as the kidnapper, securing the ransom money during a chaotic coastal rendezvous at the Santa Monica Pier where Sam's briefcase of cash is lost at sea during a botched getaway.[3] Carol's blackmail scheme unravels, resulting in her arrest for extortion, while Sam faces charges for orchestrating the kidnapping hoax and loses his fortune, business, and freedom.[5] Barbara emerges independent and thriving, launching a successful aerobics apparel line with Sandy using part of the recovered ransom, as the Kesslers escape to a new life with the remaining funds, leaving Sam utterly defeated.[3]

Cast

The film features a strong ensemble cast known for their comedic timing, which propels the farce through overlapping schemes and misunderstandings.[6][7]
ActorRoleDescription
Danny DeVitoSam StoneRuthless owner of a garment company, central to the antagonistic dynamics.[7][6]
Bette MidlerBarbara StoneSam's spoiled and shrill wife, whose arc shifts the ensemble's protagonist roles.[7][6]
Judge ReinholdKen KesslerInept inventor whose bungled plans drive the group's interactions.[7][6]
Helen SlaterSandy KesslerKen's supportive wife, providing contrast to the more ruthless elements.[7][6]
Anita MorrisCarol DodsworthSam's mistress, adding layers to the relational farce.[7][6]
Bill PullmanEarl MottCarol's dim-witted boyfriend, contributing to the comedic incompetence.[7][6]
Clarence FelderLt. WaltersBumbling detective in the supporting law enforcement subplot.[7][8]
William G. SchillingChief Henry BentonAdditional law enforcement figure aiding the ensemble's chaotic pursuits.[7]
DeVito and Midler anchor the cast as the initial antagonists who evolve into unlikely protagonists, their chemistry highlighting the film's blend of dark humor and ensemble interplay.[2]

Production

Development

The screenplay for Ruthless People was penned by debut feature screenwriter Dale Launer in 1984, drawing inspiration from the real-life 1974 kidnapping of heiress Patricia Hearst by the Symbionese Liberation Army, which Launer fictionalized into a black comedy centered on a loathsome industrialist, his shrill wife, and bumbling kidnappers.[9] Although observers have drawn parallels to O. Henry's 1910 short story "The Ransom of Red Chief" due to thematic similarities involving a troublesome kidnapping victim, Launer maintained that any resemblance was coincidental and not a direct influence.[10] Following the blockbuster success of their 1980 parody Airplane!, the directing trio of David Zucker, Jim Abrahams, and Jerry Zucker—collectively known as ZAZ—acquired the Ruthless People script, representing their pivot from rapid-fire spoof comedies to a more character-driven farce with broader satirical elements.[11] This marked the first ZAZ project based on an external screenplay rather than their own writing, allowing them to focus on directing while emphasizing the story's escalating absurdities and moral ambiguity.[12] Touchstone Pictures, Disney's adult-oriented label under newly appointed chairman Jeffrey Katzenberg, acquired the project in 1984 with an initial budget of $13 million, praising Launer's intricate, twist-filled plot as ideal for a sophisticated R-rated comedy.[12] The studio's decision reflected a strategic push into edgier fare, prioritizing unlikable protagonists—such as a scheming husband plotting his wife's murder and inept criminals whose plans backfire hilariously—to deliver biting social commentary on greed and dysfunction without relying on traditional heroic archetypes.[11] Key pre-production choices centered on casting to amplify the film's dark humor, with early considerations including Jack Nicholson for the role of the ruthless Sam Stone, ultimately passed on due to his $4 million asking price exceeding the budget constraints.[12] Madonna was briefly attached as Barbara Stone but dropped out; Danny DeVito and Bette Midler were secured as the leads, bringing their established comedic timing to the unlikeable central couple.[12]

Filming

Principal photography for Ruthless People took place over eleven weeks, beginning approximately six months prior to the film's June 27, 1986 release, spanning late 1985 into early 1986. The production was primarily based in Los Angeles, California, with about 80% of the action captured indoors to suit the black comedy's confined, escalating tensions. Exteriors for the opulent Stone mansion were shot at a Bel Air Hills residence on 10690 Somma Way, while interiors and key sequences, such as the kidnappers' cluttered home, were constructed on soundstages at Disney's facilities to allow for fluid camera movement and controlled comedic chaos.[12][13][14] Cinematographer Jan de Bont employed wide shots and dynamic framing to highlight the film's satirical environments, eschewing the typical close-ups of comedy in favor of establishing the garish, postmodern aesthetics of the characters' worlds. Production designer Donald B. Woodruff drew inspiration from the Memphis Group style, incorporating bold colors, geometric patterns, and eclectic furnishings—such as zigzag lamps and asymmetrical sofas—into the Stone mansion to underscore the couple's ostentatious yet dysfunctional lifestyle. This visual excess not only amplified the humor but also reflected the 1980s design trends critiqued in the script.[15][12][16] The shoot presented logistical hurdles in executing the film's physical comedy, particularly in Barbara Stone's basement captivity scenes, where Bette Midler's character undergoes a transformative exercise regimen, and in the chaotic car chases involving Judge Reinhold and Helen Slater. These sequences required precise stunt coordination to balance slapstick timing with safety on Los Angeles streets and stages, contributing to the production's $13 million budget through extended rehearsals and multiple takes for comedic precision. No major reshoots were reported, but the emphasis on visual gags demanded iterative adjustments during principal photography.[12][1] On-set dynamics added to the film's spirited energy; notably, leads Danny DeVito and Bette Midler appeared together in only one scene near the climax, a deliberate choice that heightened the narrative irony of their estranged marriage while allowing each to dominate their respective plotlines independently. DeVito's portrayal of the scheming Sam Stone benefited from his ad-libbed rants, infusing the character with raw, unscripted venom that directors David Zucker, Jim Abrahams, and Jerry Zucker encouraged to sharpen the satire.[12]

Release and Commercial Performance

Theatrical Release

Ruthless People was theatrically released in the United States on June 27, 1986, by Touchstone Pictures, the mature-audience label of Walt Disney Productions. The film launched on 1,111 screens for its wide opening, marking a significant rollout for the black comedy genre at the time.[17] The marketing campaign centered on the film's dark humor and ensemble cast, with trailers showcasing the kidnapping plot's absurd twists and spotlighting leads Danny DeVito and Bette Midler to draw audiences seeking irreverent comedy. Posters featured bold imagery of the central characters in compromising positions, underscoring the farce of the storyline, while the film earned an R rating from the MPAA for profanity and adult situations. Produced on an estimated $13 million budget, these promotional efforts aimed to position the movie as a sharp, star-driven summer release.[1][12][18] Internationally, the film saw a phased rollout beginning in late 1986, including Australia on September 25 and the United Kingdom on August 1, 1986, extending into 1987 in other territories; European markets typically involved dubbed versions to adapt the dialogue for local audiences.[19] A premiere screening took place on June 4, 1986, at the Plitt Theater in Century City, Los Angeles, attended by cast members such as Danny DeVito and his wife Rhea Perlman, generating early buzz ahead of the national debut.[20]

Box Office

Ruthless People was produced on an estimated budget of $13 million.[1] The film earned $5.3 million in its opening weekend of June 27–29, 1986, across 1,111 theaters, debuting in fourth place at the North American box office.[21] This debut came amid a crowded summer season dominated by action hits like Top Gun, which had been holding the top spot for weeks, and upcoming releases such as Aliens.[21] Over its theatrical run, Ruthless People grossed $71.6 million domestically, accounting for its entire reported worldwide total given limited international distribution.[22] Adjusted for inflation, this equates to approximately $218 million in 2024 dollars, underscoring its commercial scale.[22] The picture ranked as the ninth highest-grossing film of 1986 in North America and exhibited strong performance longevity, with a 13.6x multiplier from its opening weekend.[23][22] Financially, the movie returned more than five times its production investment, marking it as a clear profit for Touchstone Pictures.[22][1] This outcome bolstered Touchstone's standing as Disney's outlet for adult-oriented comedies, supporting the studio's broader push into mature content beyond family fare.[24]

Reception

Critical Response

Upon its release in 1986, Ruthless People received generally positive reviews from critics, who appreciated its sharp black comedy and inventive plotting despite some reservations about its tone. Roger Ebert awarded the film 3.5 out of 4 stars, praising its "script of diabolical ingenuity" that weaves a twisty plot around a husband's reluctance to ransom his kidnapped wife, along with the strong chemistry between Danny DeVito and Bette Midler that drives the central dynamic.[3] Variety described it as a "hilariously venal comedy" with a strong conceptual foundation, highlighting the film's ability to generate laughs from its premise of inept criminals and self-serving protagonists, though it noted the mean-spirited undercurrents in the characters' motivations.[25] Critics commonly lauded the direction by the Zucker-Abrahams-Zucker team (ZAZ) for maintaining brisk pacing amid the escalating chaos, allowing the farce to unfold with relentless energy.[26] Dale Launer's screenplay was frequently commended for its clever reversals and sophisticated blend of silliness and satire, turning a simple kidnapping into a web of ironic betrayals.[26] The ensemble performances drew particular acclaim, with Judge Reinhold and Helen Slater providing effective comic relief as the bumbling, well-intentioned kidnappers whose ineptitude contrasts the leads' ruthlessness.[3] However, some reviewers found fault with the film's unlikable characters and overall tone; Janet Maslin of The New York Times observed that the protagonists are "doggedly mean, deceitful and potentially murderous," critiquing the misogynistic undertones in DeVito's character's disdain for his wife, portrayed as a "squeaky, corpulent broad."[27] Opinions were mixed on the ending's resolution, with some feeling it softened the film's audacity into a sappy compromise rather than fully committing to its dark humor.[26] These contemporary critiques contributed to the film's strong box office performance, as positive word-of-mouth from audiences helped drive its success. Aggregate scores reflect this favorable reception, with Ruthless People earning a 93% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 45 reviews spanning 1986 to later retrospectives.[2] Metacritic assigns a score of 78 out of 100, derived primarily from period critiques that emphasize its comedic strengths while acknowledging tonal inconsistencies.[28]

Audience Reception

Upon its summer 1986 release, Ruthless People benefited from strong word-of-mouth among audiences, which helped it sustain performance in a competitive field despite a modest opening.[29] The film's dark humor and ensemble cast resonated with viewers, leading to an IMDb user rating of 6.9/10 based on over 32,000 votes.[30] This audience approval complemented the positive critical reception, highlighting its appeal as a crowd-pleasing black comedy.[2] Fans have long appreciated Ruthless People for its quotable lines, particularly Danny DeVito's rants as the scheming Sam Stone, such as his venomous tirade against his wife: "I had to live with that squealing, corpulent little toad all these years."[31] The movie's rewatchability stems from its sharp dialogue and escalating absurdities, making it a frequent topic in discussions of 1980s comedies.[32] On platforms like Letterboxd, it averages 3.4/5 from over 15,000 ratings, with users often highlighting the empowerment arc of Bette Midler's character Barbara, who evolves from a shrill socialite to a resourceful survivor.[33] In retrospective polls and lists, Ruthless People is frequently cited as an underrated entry in the ZAZ (Zucker-Abrahams-Zucker) filmography, praised for its inventive plot twists and ensemble chemistry.[34] The film primarily appealed to adult audiences drawn to its mature themes of infidelity, crime, and revenge, as reflected in its R rating for profanity, nudity, and violence.[35]

Soundtrack

Overview

The soundtrack for Ruthless People features an original score composed by Michel Colombier, with the album released on June 12, 1986, by Epic Records as a compilation blending orchestral elements and contemporary pop tracks.[36][37] Colombier's score provides the film's primary musical foundation, incorporating synth-driven and string arrangements to heighten the black comedy tone. The album's production involved coordination with the film's directors to align music with narrative beats, resulting in a runtime of approximately 40 minutes across 10 tracks.[38] Key contributors to the pop songs include Mick Jagger, who performed the title track "Ruthless People" co-written with David Stewart and Daryl Hall; Billy Joel with "Modern Woman"; and Luther Vandross delivering "Give Me the Reason."[39] These tracks were selected and recorded specifically for the project, with Jagger's energetic rock number serving as the main theme. In the film, Colombier's score underscores comedic tension during sequences like the aerobics montage, where Billy Joel's "Modern Woman" accompanies Bette Midler's character's workout transformation.[40] Pop songs are integrated into pivotal moments, such as the kidnapping setup and ensuing chases, enhancing the 1980s satirical vibe through a fusion of funk, pop, and orchestral sounds without earning major awards.[41][42] The curation tied directly to the movie's success, amplifying its cultural resonance.

Track Listing

The Ruthless People soundtrack album, released in 1986 by Epic Records, features 10 tracks across various genres including pop, rock, soul, and instrumental score elements, available in both vinyl and compact disc formats.[43]
No.TitleArtistDurationSongwriter(s)
1Ruthless PeopleMick Jagger4:32Daryl Hall, David A. Stewart, Mick Jagger
2Give Me the ReasonLuther Vandross4:46Luther Vandross, Nat Adderley Jr.
3Modern WomanBilly Joel3:48Billy Joel
4Wherever I Lay My Hat (That's My Home)Paul Young5:18Barrett Strong, Marvin Gaye, Norman Whitfield
5No Say In ItMachinations3:19Machinations (Tony Hayes, Andy LaPointe, Steve Lustig, Fred Negro, Nino Royche)
6Waiting to See YouDan Hartman4:10Charlie Midnight, Dan Hartman
7Dance ChampionKool & The Gang3:02James "J.T." Taylor, Kool & The Gang, Ronald Bell
8Neighborhood WatchMichel Colombier3:48Michel Colombier
9Stand on ItBruce Springsteen2:31Bruce Springsteen
10Don't You Want My LoveNicole3:41Aldo Nova
The title track "Ruthless People" by Mick Jagger serves as the end-credits song in the film.[44]

Chart Performance

The Ruthless People soundtrack achieved moderate commercial success, peaking at number 20 on the Billboard 200 chart on August 30, 1986.[45] This performance was bolstered by the film's box office appeal and the star power of featured artists, with the album spending several weeks on the chart. Key singles contributed to its visibility, including Mick Jagger's title track, which reached number 51 on the Billboard Hot 100, and Billy Joel's "Modern Woman," peaking at number 10.[46][47] In the United States, the soundtrack was certified gold by the RIAA in 1986 for sales exceeding 500,000 units.[48] Overall worldwide sales were estimated at around 500,000 copies, reflecting solid but not blockbuster performance compared to other 1980s comedy film soundtracks like Beverly Hills Cop, which peaked at number 9 on the Billboard 200 and sold over four million copies.[49] The album benefited from cross-promotion with the film but faded from physical availability after its initial run and remains out of print, though individual tracks are available on some digital platforms.

Legacy and Home Media

Cultural Impact

Ruthless People marked the final collaborative directorial effort of the comedy trio known as ZAZ—David Zucker, Jim Abrahams, and Jerry Zucker—before their amicable split, representing a pivotal milestone in their career trajectory.[50] Unlike their earlier spoof-heavy films such as Airplane! (1980) and Top Secret! (1984), this 1986 black comedy shifted toward farce, drawing on an original script by Dale Launer centered on a twisted kidnapping plot with an O. Henry-style twist, allowing the directors to showcase character-driven humor and ensemble dynamics.[50] The film's success highlighted the trio's versatility but also underscored creative differences that led to their parting, with Abrahams pursuing projects like Hot Shots! (1991) and the Zuckers branching into solo ventures, including David Zucker's The Naked Gun series.[50] The movie's enduring appeal lies in its sharp script and standout performances, particularly Bette Midler's portrayal of the resilient Barbara Stone and Danny DeVito's gleefully villainous Sam Stone, which Roger Ebert praised for their "diabolical ingenuity" and ability to balance slapstick with character depth.[3] As a ZAZ production, it exemplifies their signature blend of absurdity and social satire, influencing the evolution of 1980s black comedies by emphasizing twisted domestic dynamics over pure parody.[50]

Home Media Releases

The film was initially released on home video in the VHS format by Touchstone Home Video in 1987.[51] Touchstone Home Entertainment issued the first DVD edition on April 2, 2002, presented in a 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer with Dolby 2.0 stereo audio and no supplemental features.[52][53] In the digital era, Ruthless People was available for streaming on Disney+ starting February 23, 2021, as part of the platform's Star content hub for mature audiences, but as of November 2025, it is no longer streaming there.[54] It is offered for digital rental or purchase on services including Apple TV and Amazon Video.[55] Internationally, a Region 2 PAL DVD edition was released in the United Kingdom by Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, compatible with European players but lacking significant restorations beyond standard definition encoding from the original film elements.[56] As of November 2025, no official Blu-ray or 4K UHD versions have been released, though the film streams in high definition on supported platforms.[55]

References

  1. Ruthless People (1986) - IMDb
  2. Ruthless People | Rotten Tomatoes
  3. Ruthless People movie review & film summary (1986) - Roger Ebert
  4. Ruthless People (1986) - Box Office and Financial Information
  5. Ruthless People (1986) - Plot - IMDb
  6. Ruthless People | Cast and Crew - Rotten Tomatoes
  7. Full cast & crew - Ruthless People (1986) - IMDb
  8. Ruthless People (1986) Credits - Full Cast and Crew | Moviefone
  9. Ruthless People | Moviepedia - Fandom
  10. Bette Midler: Ruthless People – Facts And Trivia - Bootleg Betty
  11. Zucker, Abrahams, and Zucker trade parody for farce - AV Club
  12. AFI|Catalog - American Film Institute
  13. Ruthless People (1986) - Set-Jetter
  14. Ruthless People - Filming Locations of Chicago and Los Angeles
  15. Ruthless People (1986) - Art of the Title
  16. decor + more | ruthless people - the dedicated follower of fashion
  17. Ruthless People (1986) - Box Office Mojo
  18. Ruthless People (1986) Trailer | Bette Midler | Danny DeVito
  19. Release info - Ruthless People (1986) - IMDb
  20. Rhea Perlman and Danny DeVito attend the premiere of "Ruthless ...
  21. The Numbers - Weekend Box Office Chart for June 27, 1986
  22. Ruthless People (1986) - Box Office and Financial Information
  23. Top-grossing movies at the domestic box office first released in 1986
  24. RUTHLESS MONEY - Los Angeles Times
  25. https://variety.com/1985/film/reviews/ruthless-people-1200426816/
  26. Ruthless People critic reviews - Metacritic
  27. FILM: 'RUTHLESS PEOPLE,' A COMEDY - The New York Times
  28. https://www.metacritic.com/movie/ruthless-people
  29. 'Karate Kid Part II' Leads the Field - Los Angeles Times
  30. Ratings - Ruthless People (1986) - IMDb
  31. Quotes - Ruthless People (1986) - IMDb
  32. 75 best movie comedies of the '80s - USA Today
  33. Ruthless People (1986) - Letterboxd
  34. 10 Hilarious 80s Comedy Movies Everyone Forgets About
  35. Parents guide - Ruthless People (1986) - IMDb
  36. Various - Ruthless People (The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
  37. Ruthless People (1986) Soundtrack and Movie Music - The 80s ...
  38. https://www.discogs.com/release/2187544-Various-Ruthless-People-The-Original-Motion-Picture-Soundtrack
  39. Ruthless People Soundtrack - SoundtrackINFO
  40. Bette Midler in Ruthless People- She's a Modern Woman - YouTube
  41. Ruthless People - Tunefind
  42. Ruthless People by Various Artists (Compilation, Film Soundtrack)
  43. Various - Ruthless People (The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
  44. Soundtracks - Ruthless People (1986) - IMDb
  45. Billboard 200™
  46. "Ruthless People" by Mick Jagger - PopRedux80
  47. ON THIS DATE (39 YEARS AGO) July 9, 1986 - Billy Joel: The ...
  48. WHO WENT GOLD, PLATINUM IN `86 - Chicago Tribune
  49. https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Soundtrack&ti=Ruthless+People#search_section
  50. How Zucker, Abrahams, and Zucker spoofed their way to a ... - AV Club
  51. Opening and Closing to Ruthless People VHS (1987) - YouTube
  52. Ruthless People - DVD Talk
  53. Ruthless People DVD - Blu-ray.com
  54. Disney Plus adds massive lineup of Star movies and shows ... - CNET
  55. Ruthless People streaming: where to watch online? - JustWatch
  56. Ruthless People [Region 2] by Bette Midler: Amazon.co.uk: DVD ...
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