Spartan

Details

Val Kilmer (Alexander, Wonderland) stars with William H. Macey (Fargo, Magnolia) in the gripping thriller Spartan from acclaimed writer and director David Mamet (Hannibal, Heist). Released to buy and rent on DVD from Warner Home Video on 21st February 2005, the DVD will include an Audio commentary by Val Kilmer.

Known for his caustic dialogue, incisive characterisations and skilful dramatic craftsmanship, writer-director David Mamet has amassed a prolific catalogue of stories about the varied characters and cultural dynamics that comprise the American experience.

Spartan, Mamet's ninth film as a writer-director, is a political thriller in the tradition of Three Days of the Condor and Seven Days in May that explores the inner workings of a highly secretive governmental task force and the people who serve its win-at-all-costs agenda. "I've always been interested in political things," says Mamet, who anchors Spartan around the character of Robert Scott, a highly skilled and remarkably efficient soldier who has long prevailed by following his belief that the end justifies the means.

Synopsis

When career military officer Robert Scott (Val Kilmer) is recruited to find Laura Newton (Kristen Bell), the President's daughter, he is paired with novice Curtis (Derek Luke), who becomes his protégé. Working with a special task force comprised of Presidential Advisors, the Secret Service, FBI and CIA, Scott and Curtis stumble upon a white slavery ring, which may have some connection to Laura's disappearance.

As the story unfolds, the straightforward search-and-rescue mission becomes complicated by Curtis' naiveté and the political ambitions of those in high places - like Burch (Ed O'Neill) and Stoddard (William H. Macey), political operatives who may know more than they're telling about the circumstances surrounding Laura's abduction.

Scott and Curtis are on the brink of tracking Laura's whereabouts when their clandestine mission comes to an abrupt conclusion as the media issues reports of the girl's death. But Curtis can't rest. He seeks out Scott to confide his belief that Laura is alive. If she is, their continued unofficial investigation will put them - as well as Laura - at the centre of a dangerous conspiracy that reaches the highest levels.