A Civil Action
Synopsis
Jan Schlichtmann, a tenacious lawyer, is addressed by a group of families. When investigating the seemingly non-profiting case, he finds it to be a major environmental issue that has a lot of impact potential. A leather production company could be responsible for several deadly cases of leukemia, but also is the main employer for the area. Schlichtmann and his three colleagues set out to have the company forced to decontaminate the affected areas, and of course to sue for a major sum of compensation. But the lawyers of the leather company's mother company are not easy to get to, and soon Schlichtmann and his friends find themselves in a battle of mere survival.
Production Budget Analysis
What was the production budget for A Civil Action?
Directed by Steven Zaillian, with John Travolta, Robert Duvall, Tony Shalhoub leading the cast, A Civil Action was produced by Touchstone Pictures with a confirmed budget of $70,000,000, placing it in the mid-budget category for drama films.
With a $70,000,000 budget, A Civil Action sits in the mid-range of studio releases. Marketing costs for a wide release at this level typically add $30–60 million, putting the break-even point near $175,000,000.
Budget Comparison — Similar Productions
• 300 (2007): Budget $65,000,000 | Gross $456,082,343 → ROI: 602% • A Knight's Tale (2001): Budget $65,000,000 | Gross $117,487,473 → ROI: 81% • 3000 Miles to Graceland (2001): Budget $62,000,000 | Gross $18,720,175 → ROI: -70% • 2 Guns (2013): Budget $61,000,000 | Gross $131,940,411 → ROI: 116% • 15 Minutes (2001): Budget $60,000,000 | Gross $56,359,980 → ROI: -6%
Key Budget Allocation Categories
▸ Above-the-Line Talent Drama films live or die on the strength of their performances. Securing award-caliber actors and experienced directors represents the single largest budget line item, often consuming 30–40% of the total production budget.
▸ Location Filming & Period Production Design Authentic locations — whether contemporary or historical — require scouting, permits, travel, lodging, and often significant dressing to match the story's time period. Period dramas add the cost of era-accurate props, vehicles, and set decoration.
▸ Post-Production, Color Grading & Score The editorial process for dramas is typically longer than genre films, with careful attention to pacing and tone. Color grading, a nuanced musical score, and detailed sound mixing are critical to achieving the emotional resonance that defines the genre.
Key Production Personnel
CAST: John Travolta, Robert Duvall, Tony Shalhoub, William H. Macy, Željko Ivanek Key roles: John Travolta as Jan Schlichtmann; Robert Duvall as Jerome Facher; Tony Shalhoub as Kevin Conway; William H. Macy as James Gordon
DIRECTOR: Steven Zaillian CINEMATOGRAPHY: Conrad Hall MUSIC: Danny Elfman EDITING: Wayne Wahrman PRODUCTION: Touchstone Pictures, Paramount Pictures, Wildwood Enterprises, Scott Rudin Productions FILMED IN: United States of America
Box Office Performance
A Civil Action earned $56,709,981 domestically, for a worldwide total of $56,709,981. The film skewed heavily domestic (100%), suggesting strong North American appeal.
Break-Even Analysis
Using the industry-standard 2.5x multiplier (P&A + exhibitor shares of 40–50% + distribution fees), A Civil Action needed approximately $175,000,000 to break even. The film fell $118,290,019 short in theatrical revenue. Ancillary streams (home media, streaming, TV) may have bridged the gap.
Return on Investment (ROI)
Revenue: $56,709,981 Budget: $70,000,000 Net: $-13,290,019 ROI: -19.0%
Profitability Assessment
VERDICT: Unprofitable (Theatrical)
A Civil Action earned $56,709,981 against a $70,000,000 budget (-19% ROI), falling short of theatrical profitability. Ancillary revenue may have reduced the deficit.
INDUSTRY IMPACT
PRODUCTION NOTES
▸ Filming & Locations
The movie was shot in Boston, Massachusetts; Dedham, Massachusetts; Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts; Waltham, Massachusetts; Northbridge, Massachusetts; Palmer, Massachusetts; Fenway Park; Boston Public Garden; and Beacon Hill, Boston. The casting company hired many factory workers as extras for the film.
[Filming] The movie was shot in Boston, Massachusetts; Dedham, Massachusetts; Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts; Waltham, Massachusetts; Northbridge, Massachusetts; Palmer, Massachusetts; Fenway Park; Boston Public Garden; and Beacon Hill, Boston. The casting company hired many factory workers as extras for the film.
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
Summary: Nominated for 2 Oscars. 5 wins & 10 nominations total
Nominations: ○ Academy Award for Best Cinematography (71st Academy Awards) ○ Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor (71st Academy Awards)
CRITICAL RECEPTION
On Rotten Tomatoes, A Civil Action has an approval rating of 64% based on reviews from 72 critics. The site's consensus called the film "Intelligent and unconventional." On Metacritic, the film has a score of 68 out of 100, based on reviews from 26 critics indicating "generally favorable" reviews. Audiences surveyed by CinemaScore gave the film a grade B on scale of A to F.
Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times gave the film three and a half out of four stars and wrote: "Civil Action is like John Grisham for grownups."
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