Search - Human Cargo (1998) on DVD

Treat Williams is the man

Greg Hirst | Casper, WY USA | 11/22/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"It's a shame this movie has been so overlooked because it was a small project but had some real talent behind it. The people detracting from it on this site didn't care to back up their reviews, but I assume they thought they were getting an action film.Truth be told, that was what I was expecting years ago when I first saw the movie. I was only 13, and thinking I was about to see an action film when I really wasn't could have eaily bored me silly. But I was pleasantly surprised.Human Cargo is a thriller about a naive but likeable businessman in a world of corruption where he has no power, and is quickly overwhelmed.The cultural representation of the Arabs is fair I guess, I did some research and any extreme culture clash moments were a result of the particular men the hero was dealing with. As an american film, it certainly has an American bias, and we feel as lost as McDonald in this strange land. The suspense of the culture bearing down on him is palaptle, the american "haven" that he retreats to it like base in a game of tag. Even if you aren't much for legality, this film will have you with McDonald every step of the way as he gets more and more over his head.Treat Williams is the man. He's a truly underrated actor and has real screen presence. He has a mature charisma and a great yelling voice.My only complaint is the gratuitous nudity in the beginning. If it had some reason for being there, or if the rest of the film had some, it might be acceptable, but it is just there, (and not erotic, by the way)Totally original, filled with suspense, great acting, and a paranoid atmosphere, HUMAN CARGO is a great film"

VERY GOOD MOVIE

Greg Hirst | 09/17/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Treat Williams plays a prefab housing engineer who travels to Saudi Arabia in the late 70's to cinch a multi-million dollar deal. But when he arrives he discovers that what he bargained for wasn't actually much of a bargain. His original deal with the Saudi government collapses and he is forced to rely on the good graces of his unreliable but charismatic Arab middle man. As the title implies things don't get much better and Williams and he must try to escape before he ends up under a dune in the desert! This was a indeed a great movie."

Excellent movie !

Mian Sukiman | Jakarta Indonesia | 12/20/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Treat Williams is an american contractor who went to Saudi Arabia to sign a contract but was cheated by Saudi Business man and thrown to jail. The rest of the movie tells how Treat Williams struggle to get back to the US.It is a great movie as from the beginning we really fell for Treat williams character and really got frustated along with him. Stephen lang Co-stars. Both stars are very good and they deserved to be more popular than they are right now. Simon Wincer directs.As for the DVD, nothing really special. the Dolby Surround sound sound came out from the center channel most of the time. The picture quality is fine. Overall this is highly satisfying DVD as it keeps you interested all the way through."

And Bush kisses their Asses?

César Chávez | Amsterdam | 06/06/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Great movie. Nice portrayal of the darker side of life in Saudi Arabia. Leads one to once again ask why the U.S. is on such friendly terms with the Saudis, and is not more aggressive in pressing for human rights in that country. The answer, of course is oil. No war but class war."