enemy mine movie review

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"Enemy Mine" is "Robinson Crusoe" set under the two suns and six moons of the volcanic planet Fyrine IV, a grim red landscape lashed by meteors and savage cold. One day, a century in the future, the spaceships of two warring pilots crash-land not far from each other. One of the pilots is a gee-whiz earthling, and the other one is a reptilian humanoid from the planet Dracon. Although they are natural enemies, they learn to live together, to help each other and eventually even to love each other. The look of the planet in "Enemy Mine" is so convincing, the special effects are so elaborate and the performances are so good that I only gradually became aware of what a clinker the story is. The movie has the potential to be a truly great story about communication between alien species; it could have been a space thriller with a mind and a heart. Instead, it gives us an alien that is too human, too familiar. It takes that amazing planet and gives it food, water, gravity and atmosphere that are suitable for both humans and Dracs. It depends on plot gimmicks like the convenient arrival of enemies and the equally convenient arrival of friends to the rescue. It doesn't dare enough.

How should it dare? The world of science fiction is filled with fascinating aliens - intelligent creatures who are infinitely more than lovable characters in reptile skins. Why couldn't the Drac be truly alien in this film? There are occasional moments of inspiration, such as the fact that Dracs are male and female rolled into one, but "Enemy Mine" simply uses that as an excuse for a couple of weepy scenes and the creation of a Drac child that seems destined for the Little League. The idea of aliens with combined sexes has been handled much more interestingly in books like Isaac Asimov's "The Gods Themselves," in which there were three sexes, not two. And even the most rudimentary science fiction aliens usually manage to seem truly different than humans; once the Drac in "Enemy Mine" learns English, he seems scarcely less human than the human.

The Earthman in the movie is played by Dennis Quaid , and the Drac by Louis Gossett Jr. They are both very good, but saddled with a predictable and sentimental script. If they had been left all alone on their barren planet, they might just possibly have arrived at some interesting story possibilities. Instead, "Enemy Mine" descends to the level of 1930's space opera with the arrival of evil human slave-traders who kidnap Dracs and force them to work in mines.

As the slavers stood over their captives with whips, I found myself wondering how cost-effective it would be to transport manual laborers millions of light years. Surely a technology capable of arriving at the planet Fyrine IV would have figured out a better way to mine its ores? Then there are the truly unbelievable moments, as when Quaid's apparently lifeless body is found by a human spaceship that is never seen; the cornball moment when he comes back to life; the human spaceships returning to Fyrine like the cavalry to the rescue, and the final idiotic shootout. Were they so bankrupt of ideas, in a movie rich with them, that they had to resolve the plot with yet another fistfight and gunfight? By the time the noble, uplifting ending arrived, I'd given up. Here is a movie that made no compromises in its art direction, its special effects and its performances - and then compromised everything else in sight.

Roger Ebert

Roger Ebert was the film critic of the Chicago Sun-Times from 1967 until his death in 2013. In 1975, he won the Pulitzer Prize for distinguished criticism.

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Film Credits

Enemy Mine (1985)

Rated PG-13

110 minutes

Dennis Quaid as Davidge

Louis Gossett Jr. as Shigan

Brion James as Stubbs

Richard Marcus as Arnold

Directed by

Wolfgang Petersen

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Revisiting Cult Classic Sci Fi Masterpiece ‘Enemy Mine’ at 35

Julien Neaves, Editor

Greetings RedMangoReaders. I have a request. Ask me what’s my favourite genre. Go on, don’t be shy. Thank you. It’s science fiction. Sure I have a most eclectic taste that runs the gamut from B-movie horror schlock to stuffy high art period pieces, but the way Sci Fi expands the mind to encompass the strangest alien world while shining a microscopic light on the human condition that has ultimately won my heart. And one of the Crown Jewels of the genre, and a personal favourite as well, is Sci Fi action film Enemy Mine , which turned 35 on December 20. The film was directed by Wolfgang Petersen ( Das Boot , The Neverending Story , In the Line of Fire , Troy , Air Force One ) and based on the novella of the same name by Barry B. Longyear. I remember being captivated by this film when I saw it many years ago and when I rewatched it recently it had lost little of its lustre. Sure the film was a box office dud upon release but it has gone on to become a bona fide cult classic. So with a SPOILER ALERT (cause I know somebody’s gonna gripe about it) let’s go back (and forward) in time for a retrospective review of Enemy Mine in four slices:

Slice 1: Going Down

The film is set in the late 21st century when expanding human colonists (the Bilateral Terran Alliance or BTA) have gone to war bipedal reptilian humanoid aliens called Dracs, who have been claiming “squatter rights” on planets the humans are seeking to colonise.

Our story picks up in the middle of the war and a skirmish between hot shot fighter craft pilot Willis E. Davidge (played by 80s mainstay Dennis Quaid, who featured in other genre classics like Innerspace and Dragonheart ). He hates him some Dracs and happily blasts their Cylon-looking ships into space dust. After one of his crew is destroyed he is determined to take down the Drac ship that did it and even follows him into the atmosphere of a planet despite warnings from his squadmate. The two ships crash, the squadmate dies and Davidge is marooned together with a Drac pilot named Jeriba “Jerry” Shigan, played by an unrecognisable Louis Gosset Jr., Academy Award winner and star of the testosterone-infused fighter-pilot action series Iron Eagle as well as more than 60 other films and more than 100 television appearances.

Slice 2: The Odd Couple

Enemy Mine stood out in a post- Star Wars world for the originality of its story and the depths of its themes. Instead of a light, popcorn, good versus evil space opera this was an intriguing interrogation of the nature of war, colonisation, racism, prejudice, friendship and fatherhood. We’ll get to the fatherhood later, but let’s talk about the beautiful friendship between Will and Jeriba.

Will literally goes from trying to kill Jeriba, including pouring gas into a pool and burning him alive, to calling him “Toad Face” and begrudgingly eating his disgusting food, to calling him “Jerry” and becoming his best bud. Both Quaid and Gossett deliver some of the best performances of their respective careers (I will suggest using closed captions as Gossett can be difficult to understand sometimes), and the bond they forge and their crazy misadventures are touching, hilarious and thoroughly entertaining. And they realise that while it is easy to hate someone from afar (and kill them as well) it is much harder when you get to know the person and see them as a person and not just the “enemy” or the “other”. And that is a message relevant then, now and for all time.

The practical effects on Gosset (and the other Dracs) is phenomenal and still holds up to this day. A lot of work is also put in into developing the culture and biology of the Dracs, and I adore when there is that high level of attention to detail. A species with one sex that reproduce asexually and at a set period? Now that is some interesting stuff. Some of the other flora and fauna on the barren planet are less interesting and their practical effects do not hold up that well, but these just pop up and disappear so it’s not too bad. And praise must also go to cinematographer Tony Imi for some gorgeous planet landscape shots.

The second act of the film ends with the emotional gut punch of Jerry’s death during childbirth and the birth of little Zammis, who as a baby still looks more real than that terrifying CGI infant from Twilight . Zammis grows up very quickly (ah, kids) and soon “Uncle” Will is teaching him football and why they both look physically differently. And this sweet period is set to some lovely orchestral music. Quaid and young actor Bumper Robinson have splendid and very believable chemistry, and it is superb presentation of a surrogate father and son relationship.

But all good things must come to an end, and that end comes on the form some reprehensible Drac slavers and scavengers arriving on the planet. There are no shades of gray here as these guys are just plain evil and reprehensible. The scavenger leader Stubbs is played by Brion James, who you will recognise from films like Blade Runner , 48 Hrs. and Another 48 Hrs. , Tango & Cash , and The Fifth Element , and here he gleefully chews up the scenery.

From this point the film takes a decidedly darker and more action-heavy turn. The scene where Will shoots an arrow through the neck of a scavenger was like something out of a horror movie. But hey, he deserved it.

After Will is left for dead he gets rescued by the BTA. But he has to save Zammis so he steals a ship, literally blasts out of the space station and returns to the planet. If the opening space fight was a bit of Star Wars and Battlestar Galactica, at this point the film goes full Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom with all the sneaking around, action, close calls and bloody deaths. It’s not as deep as the first two acts but it is fun and you appreciate his desperation to save Zammis. I especially liked the scene where he speaks to the enslaved Dracs and meets one who speaks English and tells him where the find the young Drac. And the scene where he finds Zammis and is not sure whether he is dead or alive is still powerful. And when Zammis starts to stir the waterworks start to flow. Yes I remembered that he lived, but it was still very touching. After the Drac slaves revolt, Stubbs gets brutally offed and the BTA arrive and decide to help, things pretty much get tied up for there. Zammis waking up and telling “Uncle” he looks terrible is a funny and heartwarming way to end the affair. The last scene of Will and Zammis on the Drac home world is a welcome visual touch but if it wasn’t included I wouldn’t have missed it terribly. Even before that scene the Enemy Mine had already won me over.

Julien’s Score: 9 out of 10

For Sommer’s review of 80’s Sci Fi classic The Hidden you can click here .

I can also be found posting on Instagram as redmanwriter and talking about TV and movie stuff on Facebook at Movieville.

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Enemy Mine Reviews

As long as Quaid and Gossett are the only actors on screen, Enemy Mine is merely average. But later on, additional characters arrive to demolish any pretense of credibility or sophistication.

Full Review | Original Score: 1.5/4 | May 25, 2023

Like the all-too-aptly named Neverending Story, this is a leaden, constipated fantasy.

Full Review | May 25, 2023

Enemy Mine may be peculiar in tone, but it is good-tempered and a fantasy worth having.

The makeup effects aren't exceptional, the starships are a bit clunky, and the designs of rodent fauna are stiff and uninspired.

Full Review | Original Score: 6/10 | Sep 6, 2020

'Enemy Mine' must be appreciated for how much the daring Fox production had to "swim against the current." [Full Review in Spanish]

Full Review | Apr 22, 2020

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Feb 21, 2008

Full Review | Original Score: 1/5 | Feb 25, 2007

For a talky '80s sci-fi flick with decidedly unimpressive special effects and a generous share of really cheesy dialogue, Enemy Mine isn't half bad.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/4 | Oct 21, 2006

Full Review | Original Score: 1/5 | Aug 8, 2005

I loved this movie as a kid. Haven't seen it since.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Jul 25, 2005

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Apr 4, 2005

A highly memorable, very touching fantasy

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Mar 11, 2005

A hard pill to swallow despite the gallant efforts of Dennis Quaid and Louis Gosset Jr.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Aug 21, 2004

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Apr 17, 2004

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Apr 9, 2004

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Feb 12, 2004

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Jan 30, 2004

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Jan 5, 2004

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Jun 26, 2003

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Mar 11, 2003

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Review | Enemy Mine (1985)

Film Review
20th Century Fox , Sci-Fi , Science Fiction , Film review , Dennis Quaid , Movie Review , Louis Gosset Jnr , Wolfgang Peterson

18 Comments

The classic tale of two enemies working together to survive is given a sci-fi twist in this 80s piece of nostalgia, for me anyway..

This review is part of the Mismatched Couples Blogathon hosted by Realweegiemidget (Gill) and Cinematic Catharsis (Barry). So, what film have I chosen to represent the theme?

Released in the summer of 1985, the sci-fi adventure, Enemy Mine , was a dud at the box office but has gone on to earn more praise and respect in the intervening years. The two main characters are certainly a mismatched couple, in fact, they’re two completely different species!

This sci-fi adventure was something I caught on television as a teenager and since having my own VHS recorder in my room, a top loading beast of a machine, I recorded the film, and it became a regular staple of my viewing habits for my former years.

Enemy Mine opens with a narration be Willis E. Davidge, a space fighter pilot. He explains that in the latter half of the 21st century, man has developed the technology to explore space, discover new worlds and mine precious resources from them.

However, it turns out that we aren’t the only species in the universe. A race of beings called Dracs have claimed squatters’ rights to some of the planets with the most valuable resources. As humans, we aren’t going to back down, so an interspecies war has broken out.

This opening narration not only gets the story started, but also sets up the character arc of Davidge right from the very start. As a naiver teenager, I never picked up the tone of the language and because of the events around the world in recent times and with my political awareness as I got older, it seems so obvious. Davidge, to put it simply, is xenophobic.

Davidge’s home is revealed to be a huge space station where the pilots reside during the long periods of inactivity between battles and then without warning, a fleet of Drac fighters approach the station.

A red alert situation is activated and Davidge, along with his friends, are sent out to intercept and destroy the approaching enemy. During the dogfight, Davidge loses a friend, his anger and hatred sets him out to hunt down the enemy ship who fired the killing blow.

His red mist causes him to take this to the extreme and when the enemy pilot heads for a nearby moon, Davidge follows him down despite the concerns of his co-pilot. He manages to take a shot at the enemy craft, severely damaging it. Much to Davidge’s annoyance, he witnesses an escape pod jettison from the craft.

Davidge’s craft is still plummeting towards the moon’s surface, and the thick cloud means there’s zero visibility. He tries to correct the situation but cannot avoid the crash landing. He pulls his co-pilot from the wreckage, the craft explodes soon after, and his friend also dies from his injuries.

Davidge, spots the plume of smoke from the crashed enemy fighter on the horizon and starts walking off in that direction. Once he gets there, there’s only one thing on his mind, revenge.

It’s interesting to note that in the narration, Davidge reveals at this point that he’s never seen a Drac in person before, which opens up the thought that perhaps he’s not quite the bad person that we think he is.

We know he is involved in a war on the species, but having never seen one, we can only assume a higher level of authority has told him that Dracs are bad people, and he has taken this information as gospel.

As the audience, we don’t know about the first contact between the two species, but I came away with the distinct impression that as humans, we just went in guns first, questions later.

The plan to kill the Drac doesn’t go as planned, and Davidge is captured by the enemy and tied up. However, the Drac, which reveals its name in an alien tongue and offers him food. Davidge crudely translates his enemies name as Jerry and begrudgingly accepts his offer.

Realising they are both stuck on a barren moon, survival is their primary motive, and they will need each other’s help in order to survive. As Davidge is the captive, Jerry lets him build the shelter, and it’s here that the two will start to understand each other as they begin to pick up on each other’s language, with a touch of comedy at the end of the scene which sets the tone going forward.

This is the start of a friendship that will develop over the course of the film and, for the first-time viewer, will run deeper than I think you’re expecting. I certainly remember feeling that way upon my first viewing all those years ago.

As the language barrier breaks down, Jerry explains his ways, in particular his religious beliefs. The two have more in common than they realise, and Davidige’s xenophobic attitude decreases as time goes by.

This is the classic tale of two enemies that are forced to work together and realise that in the bigger picture, there is no real reason for them to be fighting. The friendship reaches a new level during the third act, but for reasons that I won’t spoil here.

I’d forgotten how great Enemy Mine was, a film that can be entertaining, funny and moments that are genuinely touching. This is all due to the performances of the two leads that carry the majority of the film.

Dennis Quaid’s ( Innerspace (1987), The Day After Tomorrow (2004)) performance as Davdge is an entertaining watch, especially with his emotional character arc. However, I’m just going to downplay it slightly, as for me, it is overly shadowed by his co-star.

The Drac, Jerry, is bought to life by Louis Gosset Jnr ( An Officer and a Gentleman (1982), Toy Soldiers (1991))and I felt his role in this film was certainly more emotional. Considering he’s bringing this through a full body costume, makeup and prosthetics, it’s a great piece of work, even if there are a few moments where I felt it’s pushed a little too hard.

Enemy Mine doesn’t have a bad guy as such until the final act, and this appears in the form of a scavenger played by Brion James ( Blade Runner (1982), The Fifth Element (1997)). He’s a little over the top and doesn’t have a lot of time to play with, but certainly has that 80s villain vibe.

His character has a brother in the form of actor Scott Kraft who only lasts for a few minutes on screen and quite frankly, that was enough of him. I’m not sure if it’s the over-the-top dubbing (you can see that it was) but it’s almost pantomime levels of evil.

Director Richard Loncraine originally started shooting the film in Iceland but was fired after several weeks of filming as the 20th Century Fox executives were very unhappy with the footage they were seeing.

20th Century Fox hired Wolfgang Peterson, who was currently working on The Neverending Story . Once he transferred over, upon viewing the original footage, he decided to scrap everything, relocate production to Germany and start again, including redesigning Dracs costume and look. Unfortunately, nothing from the original production has been revealed, assuming anything had survived.

Peterson’s film looks wonderful and definitely has that 80s charm. There are huge sets, beautiful matte paintings and the use of miniature work to bring the story to life. I can’t quite define it, but it certainly has the same quality and feel as The Neverending Story which isn’t a bad thing.

Sadly, the film bombed at the box office with one critic calling it, “this season’s Dune ” referring to the David Lynch’s sci-fi epic released the previous year.

I really don’t think that’s fair at all. Maybe, as I said at the start, Enemy Mine feels a little bit more relevant due to the state of the world we live in today. I certainly discovered more layers to this film than when I enjoyed it face value back as a kid, and it comes with a recommendation from me.

Enemy Mine – film review

Director: Wolfgang Petersen

Cast: Dennis Quaid, Louis Gossett, Jr.

Format: Blu-ray

Run time: 108 minutes

Out: 20 June 2016

Jamie Havlin takes a look at a 1985 science fiction adventure movie that had aspirations to become the next Close Encounters or Star Wars.

Based on an award winning novella by Barry B. Longyear and set in the late twenty-first century, Enemy Mine stars Dennis Quaid (The Right Stuff & The Big Easy) and Louis Gosset, Jr. (An Officer and a Gentleman). Quaid plays Davidge, an American soldier serving with the Bilateral Terran Alliance (a United Earth) while Gosset, Jr. plays Jeriba Shigan, who is a Drac – a race of alien humanoids with reptilian skin.

After a dogfight in outer space, these two sworn enemies both crash-land and find themselves marooned on a planet named Fyrine IV, an inhospitable environment where meteors shower down ferociously at random intervals and where some repulsive looking carnivorous creatures emerge from a quicksand pit whenever a potential meal passes by – including at one point, Davidge, before he is saved by the man he later nicknames Jerry.

He really owes a debt of gratitude to Jeriba here, as when he’d first discovered that he had company on Fyrine IV, he’d immediately attempted to kill the Drac. Tensions persist between the pair, though they’re eventually forced to bond together to improve their chances of survival.

Inevitably I was reminded of a similar film featuring two unlikely friends in space, Robinson Crusoe on Mars, which I reviewed here last year, although in the accompanying booklet, film scholar Craig Ian Mann suggests another, more earthbound, inspiration: John Boorman’s Hell in the Pacific from 1968.

At a moment in history when the struggle between the U.S and USSR was escalating dramatically, with both governments becoming increasingly militaristic, the script with its obvious message of tolerance for others is certainly well-intentioned and anything that could possibly help decrease the hysterical hatred between both superpowers was surely a good thing.

Well, with the exception of Sting’s embarrassing dirge ‘Russians’ of course.

In Hollywood terms, though, the plot of Enemy Mine could be judged as naive. Cinema-going masses in the States might just have been willing to consider its message but not when the Dracs were depicted as more likeable, less warlike and more sympathetic all round than the Irkmaans (humans), who all seem somehow to be American. In fact, we later discover that Alliance soldiers have a policy of kidnapping Dracs and forcing them to mine some unspecified ores under the threat of a whipping from some intergalatic redneck types.

This, I would guess, is the main reason why this big budget movie failed at the box-office and met with little critical acclaim on release, although the final act was problematic too and much of the good work laid down spoiled by Davidge embarking on a far fetched rescue mission that resembled mediocre Bond movie Moonraker rather than the kind of thoughful climax I’d hoped for.

This is a pity as Enemy Mine really could have been an exceptional slice of science fiction cinema. The special effects must have looked very impressive when it first was screened – actually, even in the world of today’s CGI summer blockbusters, this blu-ray still looks pretty terrific. The Drac make-up is equally impressive and the acting is even better with Louis Gossett, Jr. in particularly outstanding form.

There’s also a clever twist that I didn’t remotely see coming and, despite the underwhelming ‘popcorn’ ending, I would still class it as one of the most under-rated sci-fi films of its era and would recommend sci-fi fans to see it.

Extras include the trailer, a deleted scene and a very well written booklet.

For more on the film visit Eureka! Masters of Cinema website .

All words by Jamie Havlin. More writing by Jamie can be found at his Louder Than War author’s archive . You can also find Jamie on Twitter as @MalcontentsOnly .

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1985 Directed by Wolfgang Petersen

Enemies because they were taught to be. Allies because they had to be. Brothers because they dared to be.

A soldier from Earth crashlands on an alien world after sustaining battle damage. Eventually he encounters another survivor, but from the enemy species he was fighting; they band together to survive on this hostile world. In the end the human finds himself caring for his enemy in a completely unexpected way.

Dennis Quaid Louis Gossett Jr. Brion James Richard Marcus Carolyn McCormick Lance Kerwin Bumper Robinson Jim Mapp Scott Kraft Lou Michaels Andy Geer Henry Stolow Danmar Mandy Hausenberger Herb Andress Jack Luceno Barry Stokes Ulrich Günther Emily Woods Colin Gilder Charles M. Huber Frank Henson Jazzer Jeyes Doug Robinson Mark McBride Menyhért René Balog-Dutombé Tony L. Moore Tom Baker

Director Director

Wolfgang Petersen

Producer Producer

Stephen J. Friedman

Writers Writers

Edward Khmara Barry Longyear

Casting Casting

Jane Feinberg Mike Fenton Troy Neighbors

Editor Editor

Hannes Nikel

Cinematography Cinematography

Assistant directors asst. directors.

Bert Batt Gerd Huber

Additional Directing Add. Directing

Executive producer exec. producer.

Stanley O'Toole

Lighting Lighting

Alfie Emmins Micky Wilson

Camera Operator Camera Operator

Additional photography add. photography.

Ray Gilberti Randy Jonsson

Production Design Production Design

Rolf Zehetbauer

Art Direction Art Direction

Werner Achmann Herbert Strabel

Set Decoration Set Decoration

Rolf Zehetbauer Zoltán Horváth

Visual Effects Visual Effects

Chris Walas Bruce Walters Ellen E. Lichtwardt Dave Carson Don Dow Carol Walas Ellen Lichtwardt Goodchild

Stunts Stunts

Bill Weston Martin Grace Eddie Powell Terry Cade

Composer Composer

Maurice Jarre

Sound Sound

Mel Kutbay Karola Storr Stanley B. Gill Heiner Harss Mike Le Mare Scott Brose Alan Paley Peter Bond

Costume Design Costume Design

Monika Bauert

Makeup Makeup

Chris Walas Brian Wade Daniel Parker

Hairstyling Hairstyling

Chris Taylor

Bavaria Film SLM Production Group Kings Road Entertainment 20th Century Fox

Releases by Date

12 dec 1985, 20 dec 1985, 26 feb 1986, 26 mar 1986, 04 apr 1986, 11 apr 1986, 24 may 1986, 05 jun 1986, 03 jul 1986, 21 feb 1991, 23 feb 2021, 01 aug 1993, 19 jun 2002, 20 jun 2016, 13 nov 2017, releases by country.

Theatrical PG
Theatrical 12
Theatrical U
Physical DVD
Physical Blu-Ray
Digital Disney+
Theatrical 16
Theatrical 13

Netherlands

Theatrical 15
Physical 12 Blu-ray
Theatrical PG-13

108 mins More at IMDb TMDb Report this page

Popular reviews

Review by Travis Lytle ★★★★★ 6

A science fiction epic about forced-allegiances, survival, and eventual brotherhood, Wolfgang Petersen's "Enemy Mine" is a story that would be effective in any genre. Revolving around two individuals, enemies from birth, who form an uneasy alliance in order to preserve their lives, the story would compel as, among other genres, a drama, comedy, or Western. As science fiction, Petersen is able to dress his story in flash and spectacle. That spectacle, however, does not prevent the richness of the narrative and its characters from shining through. With its combination of genre trappings and textured story, "Enemy Mine" makes for an outstanding experience.

Starring Dennis Quaid as a pilot who is shot down over a remote planet, "Enemy Mine" follows Quaid's…

Review by Naughty aka Juli Norwood ★★★½ 3

.................................................................................................................................... Film #4 of the March Madness 80s Sci-Fi Movie Challenge! letterboxd.com/naughty/list/march-madness-80s-sci-fi-movie-challenge/ ....................................................................................................................................

A simple yet entertaining premise that was content with touching upon serious issues without feeling the need to tackle the issues head on with a more complex and somber tone!

I reveled in its charm and simplicity! Audiences weren't clubbed over the head with a barrage of heavy handed messages instead the ideologies were allowed to unfold very much like flower petals opening and basking in the radiant light of the morning sun!

Sure there's a healthy heaping of cheese and camp and Dennis Quaid is a little more animated than need be! But overall the film has held up surprisingly well after 30 years has passed by and more importantly I enjoyed it almost as much as my very first time!

Louis Gossett Jr. was absolutely fabulous in his portrayal of a Draconian! Surprisingly funny, warm, touching and vastly underrated!

Review by Graham J ★★★ 2

Wolfgang Peterson's 80's science fiction piece looks and feels like an early Star Trek episode, albeit with a little more charm and marginally better make up.

Visually Enemy Mine has dated terribly but its themes of race and war are still sincere enough to carry it and for a film that for the majority is just two opposing characters bonding, it's impressively entertaining.

Review by Josh Lewis ★★★

American fighter pilot Dennis Quaid crash lands on a scary, stormy alien planet and meets a new pal who he thinks at first is a sci-fi horror movie monster he needs to kill but turns out to be more of a lovable outsider who helps him in his survival movie antics, teaches him about the crimes of imperialism/not to be a racist anymore and gives birth to a little ET he needs to both care for and eventually violently defend from his own army. It's a supremely goofy premise that plays like the darker, social message version of something like The Last Starfighter but it's given a surprisingly dense, tactile visual treatment by Wolfgang Petersen with lots of impressive set design, make-up, and matte painting work (even some solid FX in the big siege shootout) that keep this engaging to look at even at its most eye-rollingly sentimental.

Review by Helen ★★★

The best gay rom-com I’ve seen this year.

Review by Johnny81 ★★★½ 2

R.I.P Louis Gossett Jr. Not seen this since I was a kid and another Wolfgang Petersen film that contributed to my kindertrauma, his weird European sensibility freaking me out just like he did with The NeverEnding Story . Certain moments of this were branded onto my memory (The male pregnancy hard to forget and the sand pit monster fucking me up at the time!) but the rest was a total blur, (I'd totally forgotten about the whole third act) just a vague memory of it being a lot more of an emotional gut punch than I expected. Which it is btw. This goes hard with the dramatics and as emotionally manipulative as it is, still works remarkably well. Ostensibly Hell in…

Review by AD917 ★★★

The story’s a familiar one: two soldiers on opposing sides of a conflict are stranded together and forced to put aside their differences in order to survive. But instead of, say, an American and Japanese soldier stuck on a pacific island in World War II, this time it’s a human spaceman and a non-binary lizard alien both marooned on an inhospitable planet.

The mythology is pretty half-baked and the initial story premise can feel a little slow and uninspired. You come for a space opera spectacle and end up getting an hour of Green Book in outer space—to say nothing of the Blade Runner Theatrical Cut level voice-over narration by Dennis Quaid. But from there several genuinely unexpected developments take…

Review by Rob Hill ★★½ 6

So the first half of this is probably 3 star Sci-Fi, maybe 3.5. Two good characters, reasonable concept, an interesting if astonishingly unrealistic planet, but that's okay.

I enjoyed the cross-cultural understanding moments, and the times it was stressed. I was down with the introduction of [X character]!

But, damn, it falls apart in the second half. Dumb plot, bad action, the whole effort is "try too hard."

I hate to bag on this, as my dad always loved it, but he's very forgiving to his 80s favorites. I'll round up out of admiration.

Review by My God's kitten ★★★★½ 1

A VHS rental favorite of mine, I haven't seen this one in over 20 years. It holds up nicely though, the effects are pretty impressive for being from 1985! I appreciate that this one went a different direction that most of the 80's sci-fi I rented back in the day, choosing instead of constant action a calmer approach to the majority of the movie. Plus I figure that the Dracs probably don't have sexism and homophobia on their planet, so that's pretty cool.

Review by kingfrais ★★★½ 6

Schade, hätte gerne eine Rezension im Rahmen der Kino+ -Hausaufgabe geschrieben, aber habe es verpennt. Trotzdem wollte ich in meiner persönlichen Sci-fi-Woche diesen Film mal wieder schauen. Ich finde das Wolfgang Petersen-Werk ganz gelungen, die Geschichte ist recht spannend und unterhaltsam, die Aliens sind gut gestaltet und die Tricks für die Zeit nett. Dennis Quaid spielt zudem überzeugend, ebenso wie Louis Gossett Jr. Kein total bestechender Film, aber trotz ein paar Längen doch recht passabel!

Review by chemergency ★★★★ 3

Cheesy and imperfect, but also a very charming and warmhearted adventure movie about two sworn enemies forced to put aside their differences to survive a hostile world before developing a new friendship that could turn the tide, with some potent themes about the nature of war, culture, and race that I feel resonates universally, and it's a shame it bombed at the box office.

Review by Serpentien ★★★ 13

Wie wohl viele andere auch, habe ich im Zuge der Nachricht über den Tod Petersens mal einen Blick auf seine Filmographie geworfen. Dabei habe ich dann festgestellt, dass ich bis auf die unendliche Geschichte (den ich noch nicht bewertet habe, aber als gut erachte) noch nichts von ihm gesehen habe.

„Enemy Mine“ war dann nun also mein zweiter Film von ihm und ich bin etwas zwiegespalten. Auf der einen Seite fußt die Prämisse des Films auf der Mensch/Alien-Konstellation, mit der sprachliche bzw. kommunikative Schwierigkeiten einhergehen, auf der anderen Seite macht man es sich zu einfach diese wirklich nachvollziehbar und logisch einzusetzen und lässt sie letztlich deutlich weniger wichtig erscheinen, als es der Film eigentlich verdient hätte. Denn genau aus diesen…

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Release details.

Duration: 108 mins

Cast and crew

Director: Wolfgang Petersen
Screenwriter: Edward Khmara
Dennis Quaid
Louis Gossett Jr
Brion James
Richard Marcus
Carolyn McCormick
Bumper Robinson

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It's Time to Bring Back 'Enemy Mine'

Slide: 1 / of 1 . Caption: Caption: TK TK

Author: Geek's Guide to the Galaxy. Geek's Guide to the Galaxy Culture
Date of Publication: 10.29.21. 10.29.21
Time of Publication: 11:31 am. 11:31 am

It’s Time to Bring Back ‘Enemy Mine’

The 1985 film Enemy Mine tells the story of two soldiers—one human and one alien—who become unlikely allies when they are stranded together on a desolate planet. TV writer Andrea Kail says that even a standout performance by Louis Gossett Jr. can’t save the movie.

“I remember really liking this movie when I saw it however many years ago, but it did not stand up to my memory,” Kail says in Episode 490 of the Geek’s Guide to the Galaxy podcast. “It was shot like a B-movie. Dennis Quaid was over-the-top, the music was overwrought. I just found it so much less enjoyable than it should have been.”

Geek’s Guide to the Galaxy host David Barr Kirtley agrees that the film is lackluster, which is a shame considering that it’s based on an award-winning novella by Barry Longyear . “The [novella] is really, really touching,” Kirtley says. “It’s the story of this guy learning to understand another culture, and then passing it on to a child. That’s what it’s about. It’s beautiful.”

The movie builds to a corny, tacked-on finale in which the human soldier goes on a gory rampage. Humor writer Tom Gerencer says the ending is particularly odd given the pacifistic themes of the rest of the film. “The whole part where he’s killing everyone, I’m like, ‘What’s the point here?'” he says. “Now he’s learned to be peaceful, and he’s just killing all these people?”

Science fiction author Matthew Kressel says the time is right for a new version of Enemy Mine that stays closer to the source material. “I think this movie could be remade, if they did it with modern special effects,” he says. “I think it’s a timeless message—that we shouldn’t dehumanize somebody just because they’re unfamiliar to us.”

Listen to the complete interview with Andrea Kail, Tom Gerencer, and Matthew Kressel in Episode 490 of Geek’s Guide to the Galaxy (above). And check out some highlights from the discussion below.

David Barr Kirtley on The Last Starfighter :

“When I saw it as a kid, it seemed much more serious and dramatic to me, and watching it now the tone is more like Galaxy Quest . It’s really, really silly—in a fun way. … I think they say this is a federation of 800 worlds or something, and they only have 12 fighter pilots to fight for them? And then they have this wall of satellites to defend them from the bad guys, and it’s like, ‘No, dudes, we’re in outer space.’ I mean, presumably it would have to be a sphere around all 800 worlds. So how many of these things are we talking about? Maybe that’s why they only have 12 fighter pilots—because they spent all their money on this gigantic wall.”

Matthew Kressel on Enemy Mine :

“Whenever we fight another group, we dehumanize them in order to be able to kill them. ‘Oh, they’re inhuman monsters!’ When you see them as another person—in this case it’s an alien—but when you see the soul of them, face to face, and that they’re just like you, and in some ways better than you, I think that’s a powerful message. … [The alien] says, ‘We were here a thousand years before you,’ and clearly it’s one of those things where both sides think they’re right, but they both essentially want the same things. So when we get to the end, where Davidge is reciting the ancient lineage on the Drac homeworld, I found that unexpectedly moving.”

The Battle Over Dungeons & Dragons Was the Ultimate Geek War

‘Snow Crash’ Is a Cyberpunk Classic

’80s Fantasy Movies Are Awesomely Cheesy

Tom Gerencer on Flight of the Navigator :

“I had only ever seen the part where he’s flying around on the spaceship with Pee-wee Herman talking to him, so I was like, ‘That movie is absolutely stupid.’ And then when I had to go back last week and watch this movie from start to finish, I was like, ‘Holy crap, that’s so cool that he shows up, and he hasn’t aged, but it’s eight years later, and his parents are all bereaved.’ I was like, ‘Wow, I had no idea this movie had something cool about it.’ So I really enjoyed that, and by virtue of that I enjoyed watching the rest of the movie too, because I was like, ‘Now there’s context, and I understand what’s going on.’ So I really enjoyed this movie, but mostly because I had only ever seen the part with no plot in it.”

Andrea Kail on Short Circuit :

“I have very fond memories of this movie. I remember when I was a teenager thinking it was absolutely hilarious. There was one line that I hadn’t thought of in years, but as soon as Fisher Stevens said it, I was like, ‘Oh my god. I remember saying that back and forth with my friend at the time,’ because we thought it was so hilarious. It was the line, ‘I’m sporting a tremendous woody right now.’ And we would say it in that horrible Indian accent. I thought it was hilarious then, and I see it now and it’s so cringeworthy and awful. We’ve been doing all these ’80s movies—the bad ones, the good ones—and it feels to me like we’re not only being nostalgic, but also confronting the ghosts of our past: the casual racism, the misogyny that was so prevalent in the ’80s.”

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Film review: Enemy Mine

Review by David Paul Hellings @HellingsOnFilm

“Enemies because they were taught to be. Allies because they had to be. Brothers because they dared to be.

From director Wolfgang Petersen ( Troy , The NeverEnding Story ) comes a tale of two enemies thrown together in a hostile world where to survive they must become allies.

A soldier from Earth crash-lands on an alien world. Eventually he encounters another survivor, but from the enemy species he was fighting; they band together to survive on this hostile world. In the end the human finds himself caring for his enemy in a completely unexpected way.

Starring Dennis Quaid ( The Right Stuff , The Day after Tomorrow ) and Academy Award Winner Louis Gosset Jr. (An Officer and a Gentleman ) this sci-fi adventure is a tale of an unexpected friendship and newly found respect. Eureka Classics presents the film in high-definition for the first time in the UK in a special edition Blu-ray”.

via Eureka!

A victim of internal studio changes, a director fired after a week, and a disastrous marketing strategy upon its release, “Enemy Mine” also found itself being made in an election year that would see the re-election of Ronald Reagan and not much public love for the message of ‘love and befriend thy foe’. “Enemy Mine” bombed at the box office in 1985, a time of ‘make war-war, not jaw-jaw’.

Director Wolfgang Petersen, whose superb “Das Boot” had captured audience imagination with its dark portrayal of a U-Boat and its crew, then followed up with “The Neverending Story”, the latter doing well at the box office, but not so positively with critics. The swift move to the director’s chair on “Enemy Mine” came after Richard Loncraine was replaced due to budgetary and quality concern with the incoming dailies.

Based on writer Barry B Longyear’s novella (forming part of his ‘Enemy’ trilogy), history has been kinder to the film version of “Enemy Mine”. It may initially be a softer variant on John Boorman’s “Hell in the Pacific”, but it pushed a science-fiction film onto the market that offered a vision of brotherhood and working together rather than the seek and destroy politics of the time. This was a human that was prepared to work with the seemingly equally bloodthirsty alien agitator.

These are two beings marooned on a planet that is deadlier than they are. Working together is the only solution. This new release of the film brings a clarity and beauty to the visual nature of the production. The planet looks splendidly mean and we get a renewed sense of how initial audiences would have viewed “Enemy Mine”. It’s a film about friendship, parenthood, surrogacy, adoption, and family and how those values overcome the xenophobia that initially fills the minds of enemies.

Dennis Quaid, as the arrogant Willis Davidge, shows again why he has been respected yet underrated as an actor, seemingly choosing the curiosity pieces rather than the predictable. But, it was an unrecognisable Louis Gossett Jr. as Jeriba Shigan, that stole, and still steals, the acting honours.

“Enemy Mine” fell foul of audiences that were more interested in “Back to the Future”, “Rambo”, and “Rocky IV”. Petersen’s film did, indeed, go against the grain. Its release in an excellent print is welcome and well worth taking a look at again in times when the political world view seemingly hasn’t moved on, in fact, and has actually got worse.

Special Features:

Deleted Scene
Collectors Booklet
Released via Eureka Classics

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One comment - write a comment.

This has been one of my favourite SF films for ages. The friendship between the two protagonists is not lame or laboured – it’s breathtaking in its freshness and the scope of the film is broad, giving us glimpses of a different worldview and life cycle. If it’s come out on Blu-Ray, I want it!

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Cast & crew
User reviews

During a long space war, the lives of two wounded enemies become dependent on their ability to forgive and to trust.
At the height of the devastating intergalactic war between humans and the bipedal reptilian humanoids known as Dracs, the earthling single-seat fighter pilot, Willis Davidge, and the saurian pilot, Jeriba Shigan, engage in a furious dogfight. As both sworn enemies crash-land on the desolate, inhospitable planet, Fyrine IV, they will have to put aside their hatred for each other, share knowledge and experience to fight the forces of nature and, above all, work in unison to survive. Can their forced coexistence and uneasy camaraderie pave the way for a genuine inter-species friendship? — Nick Riganas
A soldier from Earth crashlands on an alien world after sustaining battle damage. Eventually, he encounters another survivor, but from the enemy species he was fighting. They band together to survive on this hostile world. In the end, the human finds himself caring for his enemy in a completely unexpected way. — Dan Hartung <[email protected]>
In the distant future, as the galaxy is being colonized, humanity goes to war against the Dracs, a reptilian race from the planet Draco as both races fight over the control of many worlds. During a space battle, space pilot Willis Davidge crashes on Fryine IV, a volcanic planet. Willis finds he isn't alone and finds a Drac named Jeriba Shigan has also crashed on the planet. Both stranded on Fryine IV, Both Davidge and Jeriba both put aside their differences and their hatred for each other as they both try to survive on the planet, where they learn of each other's cultures and form a friendship. — Daniel Williamson
On a distant planet, at the height of the war between the Dracon and Terran Empires, two military pilots crash in the heat of battle. One is Terran, one is Drac. Each is a repulsive alien to the other. Each is a professional warrior, filled with hatred for his blood enemy. Now, marooned on a hostile world, they have a choice. They can complete their missions in a mutual pact of violence and death. Or they can do the most painful thing any Human or Drac has ever done: reach out and begin the new age of understanding that is struggling to be born. — David Gerrold
Enemy Mine opens to a panorama of outer space along with an opening monologue by Willis Davidge ( Dennis Quaid ). In this monologue he says that all of Earth's nations had achieved peace by the end of the 21st century, and had begun working together to explore and colonize outer space. Unfortunately, Earth wasn't alone out there. Earth colonists encountered a race of alien non humanoids known as the Dracs, were laying claim to some of the richest star systems in the galaxy. Dispute over who was where, first, and who had 'legal right' to where, led to battle and finally war between Earth and the drac people. The scene shifts to an Earth space station out in space, far from the Solar System. Four Drac fighter ships approach to begin a raid. Earth's fighter pilots scramble to defend the station; among them are Davidge and his co-pilot, Joey Wooster ( Lance Kerwin ). The dogfight appears to be going well for the Earth defenders until six Drac fighter ships arrive to join the battle. One of the Drac fighters destroys an Earth fighter, Echo Six, killing its two pilots. Infuriated, Davidge recklessly pursues this Drac ship away from the rest of the battle, but this Drac pilot proves to be an ace flier, deftly dodging several laser volleys. Wooster tries to warn Davidge that their ship's engines are overheating and they are closing over the planet Fyrine IV, which is unexplored territory. But David is obsessed with destroying the Drac ship and its pilot. Finally he scores a hit to the Drac ship's wing, damaging it but not destroying it. Completely single-minded now, Davidge continues pursuing the Drac ship into the upper atmosphere of Fyrine IV. He sees the Drac pilot eject from its ship, and then loses sight of both pilot and ship in the thick fog of the upper atmosphere. Finally the fog cloud breaks to show the abandoned Drac fighter ship directly in front of Davidge's ship. With no time to move, he collides with the Drac ship, damaging his own ship to where he must make a crash landing of his own on Fyrine IV's surface. Davidge is able to pull Wooster free from the wreck, but his ship explodes, leaving him unable to salvage any of its supplies... and Wooster is too gravely injured to save. Davidge builds a barrow of stones over Wooster's body and sets Wooster's broken helmet on it as a grave marker. He's spotted where the Drac ship's wreckage went down and is sure the escape pod with the Drac pilot is near it. As he sets off to kill the Drac, Davidge gives a voiceover where he says he's never seen one of their race before, knowing very little about their physiology-- only that they are reptilian and scaly, and that they are hermaphroditic-- they have both male and female body parts. A strange turtle-like creature emerges from some rocks as Davidge passes them, and makes its way across the ground. It falls into a shallow sinkhole of loose sand; still deep enough that it cannot make its way out. A long tendril snakes out of the bottom of the sinkhole, feeling the air for vibrations and smells. It draws back and latches onto the creature's shell, pulling it down below the sand. Some horrible noises are heard as the sand at the bottom of the sinkhole continues to churn. Suddenly the turtle-creature's bloody shell is spat out of the sinkhole where it joins many other similar shells around the sinkhole's edges, and a monstrous belching sound is heard. Davidge makes his way to a lake where he finds the Drac pilot ( Louis Gossett Jr. ) swimming in the lake. It emerges from the water to squat by a campfire. Davidge moves closer to make the kill, but as he aims his pistol, a small rock outcropping under his boot gives way. He barely holds onto the rocks, but his gun falls from his hand to drop into the lake below, and the noise alerts the Drac pilot. Although reptilian and clearly non-human, the Drac still appears to have the same basic body structure, with two arms and two legs, standing erect, and its hands have opposable thumbs, although only two other fingers for a total of three on each hand. Davidge remains stone still and waits until nightfall. The Drac puts its rifle on the bulkhead of its wrecked spacecraft and dives into the lake to swim again. Pulling a utility knife, Davidge hurries to the ship's wreckage. Finding a container of what is apparently a combustible fuel, he pours it onto the lake's surface and ignites it with a flare. Laughing maniacally at the thought that the Drac must be burning, he reaches for its rifle. Suddenly his own body is gripped in convulsions; the Drac had placed the weapon in direct contact with the ship's exposed circuitry as a precaution. Kicking Davidge away from the ship and the weapon, the Drac stands over him and gives a gloating greeting. The Drac ties Davidge's hands and feet together and seats him near the ship while it eats. Seeing that the Drac has chosen not to kill him for now, but still full of hate and anger toward it, Davidge demands that the Drac give him something to eat. It mockingly copies a lip-smacking motion that Davidge makes in an attempt to communicate. Even though they speak different languages, when Davidge yells the insult 'toadface' at the Drac, it suddenly stands up and walks over to Davidge, squatting over him. It asks a question in its native tongue, jabbing Davidge with a finger. When the Drac speaks the phrase, 'kos va son Jeriba Shigan-- Shiiigaaaann!,' Davidge realizes that the Drac has just told him its name: Jeriba Shigan. He understands the Drac wants to know his name in return and gives the Drac his name as Willis Davidge. He again demands some food, and the Drac skewers a disgusting-looking slug like creature on a stick. As horrible as the slug looks and, Davidge imagines, must taste, he is so ravenous with hunger that he suddenly leans forward, bites off a piece of the slug, and forces himself to chew and swallow, much to the Drac's disgust. Later still, the Drac is sleeping while Davidge tries to in his uncomfortable position. A meteorite strikes the ground near him, and suddenly the sky is alight with a meteor shower. Davidge's frightened shouts awaken the Drac, who utters the word 'zeerki' in its native tongue. It starts to run for the cave, pauses, and cuts Davidge's feet free so he can follow it into a nearby cave for shelter. The Drac falls asleep again, and Davidge manages to free his hands on some of the rocks in the cave. He takes the knife and appears ready to kill the Drac, but as he looks on its face while it sleeps, he cannot bring himself to do the deed. He goes to the Drac's ship and finds several containers of emergency food supplies. The food pellets look, smell, and taste absolutely horrendous to Davidge's human sense of taste, but he forces one of the pellets down. Suddenly he is knocked down from behind and the Drac makes a menacing noise, holding its rifle on Davidge. Using gestures and body language in an attempt to make his human language intelligible, Davidge manages to convey that the two of them need to gather up whatever supplies they can from the wreckage and find a place to build a suitable shelter, or else they will most likely die in the next meteor shower. The Drac makes Davidge carry most of the salvagable supplies so it can keep its rifle at the ready. They find a clearing where Davidge builds a hut as best he can. During this time, both he and the Drac manage to learn a little of each other's languages: the Drac tells him the shelter isn't solid. Davidge lightly kicks the inside door frame and laughs--but it's the Drac that has the last laugh when the shelter suddenly collapses. The two are at a campfire where the Drac is learning more of the human tongue. Davidge has begun calling the Drac 'Jerry,' a contraction of Jeriba, even though Drac names are spoken surname-first and Jerry's given first name is Shigan. During the conversation, Davidge mentions an Earth saying that Jerry seems somewhat familiar with, and Jerry asks if he learned it from the great Drac teacher, Shismar. Davidge sarcastically says he learned it from Mickey Mouse, but Jerry takes him seriously, deciding that Mickey Mouse must be a great human teacher. Davidge is carrying more supplies from the wreckage to the campfire when he happens to spot one of the turtle-like creatures. He grabs at it, but it scuttles away very quickly; although this creature has a turtle-like shell, the rest of its body is decidedly different and it moves quite rapidly when it chooses. At the camp, Davidge cooks another of the slug-like creatures while Jerry appears to be praying and meditating; a small tome attached to a chain which Jerry often wears around his neck, open before him. The book is called the Talman, and it is the Drac people's sacred book, much like the human bible. Davidge has constructed a bow and arrows with which he hopes to procure better food sources, but Jerry feels that they will be rescued soon. An argument soon arises over their respective people's sacred teachers and which race started the war, ending when Davidge insults Shismar in a grievous way. Jerry retaliates by calling Mickey Mouse a 'great big stupid dope,' and it is all Davidge can do to stop himself from busting out laughing. Davidge is hunting the next day and looses an arrow right into the head of one of the turtle like creatures. Though badly wounded, it is still able to move. Davidge chases it--and falls into the pit of loose sand. He watches in horror as the long pink tendril emerges and feels the air for scents and air vibrations. It looms very close, unfamiliar with Davidge's scent. But finally it rears back and coils around his leg. Davidge screams in horror, gripping a broken piece of a tree that sticks over the edge of the pit. Jerry hears his screams and comes running. The tendril constricts Davidge's leg, and the rough edges of the tip of it lacerates his flesh. His grip breaks and he's about to be dragged into the bottom of the pit when Jerry catches his hand and fires his rifle, severing the tendril. There is a great churning from the sand at the bottom of the pit and great roaring noises before the terrible head of the creature to whom the tendril (its tongue) belonged emerges, spreading a gaping maw full of sharp teeth. Jerry fires again, sending several blasts into the creature's head and destroying it. Back at camp, Jerry cauterizes and wraps up Davidge's wound. Davidge asks why Jerry saved his life, and Jerry says he needed to look at another face, even if it was Davidge's. Jerry naturally finds humans as ugly (in comparison to Dracs) as Davidge must consider Dracs to be in comparison to humans. But, the terrible creature in the sand pit was worse, to both of them. Davidge's hand happens to fall on one of the discarded shells. He realizes that the sand-pit creature couldn't bite through them, and the shells might even be able to repel meteors, and their light weight makes them perfect for a shelter. He sets about collecting discarded shells from around the pit and from other turtle-like creatures he's killed for food, and builds a secure shelter. Jerry is reading his Talman again. Davidge decides, to pass the time, if he could learn the Drac language from Jerry so he can learn some of Shismar's philosophies. Jerry feels that the insult Davidge rendered to Shismar makes him beneath such an undertaking. Davidge promptly calls Jerry out on being a hypocrite, as it had promptly insulted Mickey Mouse in return. But Jerry quickly apologizes for this, saying it was wrong and didn't mean it. Davidge offers the same apology in return, and Jerry hangs the Talman on the chain around Davidge's neck--on becoming a tutor, the book, according to his people, must be given to the student. Davidge gives a voiceover among a short montage of scenes showing how time passes, and he and Jerry continue to eke out an existence on the hostile world. They eat, they sleep, they study the Talman, and at night Davidge sometimes dreams of a rescue--he's awakened one night thinking he's heard the sound of a ship's engines and barely catches a glimpse of ship lights. But on looking outside the shelter, he cannot find anything. Davidge is reading a passage of the Talman aloud as Jerry listens. Jerry is not at all surprised when Davidge says the passage is something he's read in the human version of the book (the Bible), saying simply, 'truth is truth.' It says, however, that Shismar's words take on new meaning when sung. Jerry begins to sing another passage, when suddenly another meteor shower strikes, and the two of them must hurry to their shelter. Jerry moves noticeably slower and even seems to stumble once or twice as they hurry to the shelter. Worry over how Jerry could have been hurt leads Davidge to carelessly make a remark referring to the human vs. Drac war. Jerry quickly becomes defensive, and a heated argument erupts that escalates into a physical altercation. Afterward, they both lay exhausted on the ground inside the hut, and Davidge realizes that he and Jerry are starting to go crazy from the isolation and struggle to survive. Davidge finally decides to set out and explore more of the planet in hopes of locating the source of the sounds and lights he still believes he's heard and seen. Jerry, believing they are alone on the planet, declines to go along. Davidge can tell something is amiss with Jerry, but the Drac doesn't discuss it. Davidge promises to return when he's satisfied his need to investigate. If he cannot return, he and Jerry will probably both die. Davidge heads out toward the glow of a lake of molten lava. He's originally elated and whoops in pure delight at the site of a temporary core sampling camp and two empty bottles of Pepsi-Cola. He finds a large pile of junk metal, proof of a mining operation on the planet. But Davidge's joy is short lived as he finds a dire and terrible discovery among this junk heap: the skull of a Drac, with a human bullet hole in the front... proving the Drac to whom the skull belonged, was killed by a gunshot to its brain. Davidge gives a voiceover amid scenes where he grimly confirms what he now knows: the planet is being used by scavengers, outlaw human miners and pirates living at the darkest underbelly of human society. They strip and rape entire planets bare of their resources looking for precious ores and metals. Earth's military tolerates them-- barely-- because they kidnap Dracs for slave labor for their mining operations. It was a scavenger ship he had heard and seen. These scavengers would kill Davidge as soon as look at him, both for his being part of Earth's defense militia as well as engaging in any kind of cooperation with a Drac. Davidge returns to Jerry at the shelter. Winter has fallen on Fyrine IV. Jerry is pleased to see Davidge, and finally reveals what has been amiss with it, and the true reason it couldn't go with Davidge. Jerry is pregnant, preparing to give birth to a baby Drac. Jerry reminds Davidge that unlike humans, the Drac people are hermaphroditic, and they reproduce automatically 'when it is time--' procreation among the Dracs is not something that only happens through deliberate choice, as it is with humans. Jerry asks Davidge if he found what he was looking for. Davidge had been wrestling throughout the trip back on what to tell Jerry. Finally deciding he can't share his findings about the scavengers and the danger they represent, Davidge finally tells Jerry that he found nothing-- as Jerry believed, the two of them are alone on Fyrine IV. More time passes, and Jerry is sewing a garment for its child. When asked by Davidge if it's picked a name out for the Drac baby, Jerry says the baby's name will be Zammis. Davidge and Jerry are asleep in their shelter. Suddenly the ground beside them begins to shift, and a small sinkhole begins to appear-- another of the sand-pit creatures has been moving underground and found them. The creature's long tongue slithers out from the sand and tastes the air. The tongue wraps around Jerry's neck, choking him so he cannot yell, and begins to drag it toward the creature's gaping jaws. Jerry thrashes and kicks about in desperation. Slowly Davidge begins to awaken and suddenly snaps to full alertness. Without hesitating or thinking, he turns to the smoldering remains of the campfire, scoops up a large double handful of the white-hot coals in his bare hands and tosses them down the sand-pit creature's throat. The creature lets go of Jerry and thrashes about in agony, wrecking the shelter. Hurrying away from the terrible monster before it can recover, Davidge and Jerry hurry to find a new, more natural shelter from both the creature and the bitter cold and driving snow and wind. In an effort to keep both of them focused, Davidge asks Jerry to tell him about the name it chose for its baby. Jerry explains that unlike humans, each Drac family cycles through five names continuously; the names themselves mean nothing, but it is the deeds each Drac achieves throughout its lifetime that matter and must be remembered. Jerry's clan, the Jeriba family, cycles through the names Ty, Islane, Gothig, Shigan, and Zammis. As Jerry's given name is Shigan, its baby is to be called Zammis, and then the cycle would begin again with another Jeriba Ty. Jerry and Davidge manage to find a natural rock cave leading deep into the ground that will provide them warmth and shelter. As they collapse on the ground to sleep again, Jerry says that a Drac child does not completely join its family or the society of Drac people until it is brought by its parent before the holy council of Dracs on their home planet of Dracon, and the family lineage recited. Jerry will need to do this for Zammis, or the great lineage of Jeriba will end. Jerry asks Davidge to tell it about his own family and ancestors and their deeds. Davidge, as a human, remembers only as far back as two of his grandparents, and only a little about what they did for a living. When it is Jerry's turn to teach its lineage to Davidge, it explains how the Jeriba line is 170 generations long since its founding by Jeriba Ty, going back to the founding of the very Drac home world. The lineage song tells of what accomplishments each family member has made and achieved in its lifetime, ending with the latest member bringing its child before the holy council. Understanding the great honor involved, Davidge learns the Jeriba lineage song and commits its every verse to memory. More time passes, and suddenly Jerry realizes it is time to deliver Zammis... but it can tell that something is dreadfully wrong, although it doesn't know what. Still, it realizes that these birthing complications are very serious. Davidge quickly goes into a panic at the thought of losing Jerry, who by now has become his dearest-- and on Fyrine, his only-- friend. Davidge's fears only intensify as Jerry suddenly calms down and begs Davidge to take its place as a parent for Zammis, and that one day, Davidge must fulfill the role that Jerry itself was destined for: to bring Zammis before the holy council on the Drac home world and recite its lineage, that the Jeriba clan will not be ended. Jerry is only satisfied when Davidge vows to do this. Jerry tells Davidge that he must pull open the birthing sac along Jerry's abdomen to deliver Zammis. Davidge can only watch helplessly as Jerry slowly passes on and dies. Stricken in horror, Davidge sits numbly, but then notices the birthing sac moving. He pulls it open and extracts the newborn drac baby, Zammis, looking it over in wonder. A despondent Davidge buries Jerry in a grave of rocks, realizing that with all Jerry taught him about the task he's undertaken, it taught Davidge nothing about properly taking care of a baby drac. Davidge finds himself struggling but manages to successfully feed baby Zammis, gently holding the baby close against him within the bundle of heavy skin garments that keep him warm. Zammis grows faster than a human child, quickly growing to about the size of a human youth just transitioning into adolescence, and able to think, reason, and communicate. Davidge teaches young Zammis (now played by Bumper Robinson ) how to play football, using puffballs-- an edible fungus native to the planet-- as the ball. One day Zammis begins to question why it is different from Davidge. It knows what it looks like by having seen its reflection in a pool of water within their cave, and that it looks different from Davidge. Zammis understands that it is of a different race than Davidge (who has taught Zammis to call him, 'Uncle'), and that Davidge isn't its parent... but as there are no other Dracs available to help Zammis appreciate its race and people, it desperately wishes it were human like Davidge. The day eventually comes when Zammis is able to explore. It learns about the scavenger mine and, despite Davidge's desperate attempts to teach the child never to go near it, Zammis finally one day goes there in hopes of seeing other Dracs. Bewildered and horrified at the site of human scavengers beating Drac slaves, Zammis turns away only to find two of the scavengers standing right before him-- Stubbs ( Brion James ), one of the scavenger leaders, and his young brother, Johnny. The two of them grab Zammis, when suddenly an arrow pierces through the back of Johnny's neck and out through his throat, killing him. Davidge stands there, bow at the ready. Unfortunately, after breaking free, Zammis runs between Davidge and Stubbs, distracting Davidge and throwing off his aim. Stubbs whips out his pistol and fires a shot, severely wounding Davidge. Zammis screams in horror as he watches his 'uncle' tumble down the hill, before Stubbs grabs him and drags him off to the mine as a new slave. Two searchlights sweep the vicinity and converge on Davidge. Back on the Earth space station, deceased military are being given 'burials' in space-- placed into capsules and jettisoned to float among the stars. They find a John Doe with a curious necklace with a small book on it... it's Davidge. Figuring that this John Doe won't need the booklet anymore, one worker tries to remove the necklace-- and Davidge's hand suddenly seizes the worker by the throat. He's still alive. Davidge is placed in a medical capsule and rushed to sickbay where his peers and superiors confirm his identity. They're completely amazed to see that he is still alive after having disappeared three years ago over Fyrine IV... and that he speaks the Drac language fluently; he'd been speaking it in a state of delirium while being brought to sickbay. No sooner is Davidge healed and well again when he is determined to return to Fyrine IV to rescue Zammis. The fighter squadron leader, Arnold ( Richard Marcus ) cannot stop him. When Station ops refuses to open the docking bay doors for him, Davidge uses his ship's cannons to blast them open and flies down to Fyrine. Davidge infiltrates the scavenger camp, sneaking his way to where a group of Dracs are working. He tries to speak to the Dracs, asking them about Zammis, even showing them his Talmon. The Dracs only stare until a scavenger overseer arrives and starts beating the Dracs to make them return to work. Davidge kills the overseer, and the eldest of the Drac slaves finally answers Davidge, realizing who he is. He alone among the Dracs in the mine knows how to speak English. He tells Davidge that Zammis is somewhere in the ship proper. Davidge kills another scavenger overseer and takes his clothing. He finds his way to where Zammis is locked in a cramped cage. Seeing Zammis is alive, albeit barely, he pries open the cage door. At that moment Stubbs arrives with two scavenger miners. They've found the severed ear of the overseer Davidge killed and dropped into the gears of an ore processor. Stubbs gets a close look at Davidge's face and recognizes him. He grabs Zammis and orders the worker to bring Davidge along. Davidge fights back and takes out the two miners. He grabs a pistol and kills a number of other scavengers. The Drac slaves are alerted to the noise, begin to understand what is going on, and prepare an uprising. Arnold lands on Fyrine with pilot Morse ( Carolyn McCormick ) and her ship's co-pilot. They land beside Davidge's ship and make their way to the camp. Stubbs yells out to Davidge, saying he's going to drop Zammis into a mining cart that's on a conveyor system which will drop Zammis into molten lava. Davidge fights Stubbs, but is constantly forced to divert his attention to rescuing Zammis, giving Stubbs an advantage. Stubbs finally knocks Davidge out and pushes both him and Zammis into the mining cart. As he yells and gloats, he is suddenly killed by a shotgun blast by the elder Drac. Arnold shuts down the conveyor system and pulls Davidge and Zammis out of the cart. Everyone watches grimly as Davidge tearfully frets over Zammis, until Zammis slowly reaches for Davidge's hand and weakly says, "Zammis get four, five?" Davidge begins to laugh in relief at seeing that Zammis is alive and will recover. A closing narration tells that Davidge brought Zammis and all of the Dracs home to the drac home world of Dracon, and fulfilled his promise, presenting Zammis to the Drac holy council and reciting the Jeriba lineage so that Zammis could officially join the Drac people... and that when Zammis eventually reached adulthood and presented its own child, Jeriba Ty, before the council, the name Willis Davidge was added to the line of Jeriba.

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SCREEN: 'ENEMY MINE'

By Janet Maslin

Dec. 20, 1985

THIS season's ''Dune'' is ''Enemy Mine,'' a costly, awful-looking science-fiction epic with one of the weirdest story lines ever to hit the screen. The poster for ''Enemy Mine'' may look slightly facetious, what with Dennis Quaid locked in a profile shot with what appears to be a giant lizard, as the man and the lizard exchange confrontational stares. However, this image is completely in earnest. What's worse, it represents the movie perfectly. There is indeed a lizardlike character in the movie, played by Louis Gossett Jr., who has what is unquestionably one of the most thankless roles in movie history. Not only does Mr. Gossett spend the entire film wrapped in scales, but he must also die in childbirth, which can hardly have been an easy thing for an actor to do.

''Enemy Mine,'' which opens today at the Criterion and other theaters, maroons Davidge (Mr. Quaid), a human from Earth, and Jeriba Shigan (Mr. Gossett), a Drac from Dracon, on a far-off planet where they seem to be all alone. At first hostile and suspicious, Davidge and the Drac eventually develop trust, respect and even love. That notwithstanding, Davidge is not responsible for the small Draclet to which his friend gives birth; Jeriba Shigan, being a hermaphrodite, manages it all alone. But Davidge rears the baby, and he comes to its rescue when it is imprisoned with other Dracs in the mine of the title.

Perhaps such things are more fun to read about than they are to watch; in any case, ''Enemy Mine'' is based on a novella by Barry Longyear. It was directed by Wolfgang Petersen, who certainly had a better feel for ''Das Boot'' than he does for this. All but the craziest parts of ''Enemy Mine'' seem derivative of other science-fiction films, and much of it is either childishly sarcastic - the man and the Drac initially spend a lot of time sneering at each other - or flat. That a lot of trouble obviously went into the making of ''Enemy Mine'' does not make it any more likable.

However, it should be noted that Mr. Gossett had to spend several hours a day getting into his makeup, that he learned to make a special gargling noise, that hundreds of Drac heads were prepared for scenes involving hundreds of Drac extras and that the huge set built for the film included a complete lake. There were also gas pipes capable of releasing 3,000 gallons of propane gas, so the lake could appear to catch fire. Mr. Quaid did 30 takes of a scene that required him to be drenched in ice water. All of this time, money and effort could have been better spent coming up with a better idea for a movie in the first place. Better still, everybody could simply have stayed in bed.

''Enemy Mine'' is rated PG-13 (''Parental Guidance Suggested'' for those younger than 13). It contains violence and the above-mentioned childbirth scene, which may not scare children but certainly could confuse them. Alone Together ENEMY MINE, directed by Wolfgang Petersen; screenplay by Edward Khmara, based on the story by Barry Longyear; director of photography, Tony Imi; edited by Hannes Nikel; music by Maurice Jarre; produced by Stephen Friedman; released by 20th Century-Fox Film Corporation. At Criterion, Broadway at 44th Street; Gotham Cinema, Third Avenue at 58th Street; Bay Cinema, Second Avenue at 32d Street; U.A. 85th Street East, at First Avenue. Running time: 112 minutes. This film is rated PG-13. DavidgeDennis Quaid The DracLouis Gossett Jr. StubbsBrion James ArnoldRichard Marcus MorseCarolyn McCormick ZammisBumper Robinson Old DracJim Mapp WoosterLance Kerwin JonathanScott Kraft BatesLou Michaels WilsonAndy Geer

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50 facts about the movie enemy mine.

Written by Dolli Otero

Modified & Updated: 04 Mar 2024

Reviewed by Jessica Corbett

Are you a fan of science fiction movies? If so, then you are in for a treat! In this article, we will explore the fascinating movie “Enemy Mine,” a sci-fi gem that has captivated audiences since its release. Directed by Wolfgang Petersen, this 1985 film takes us on a thrilling journey to a distant planet where two enemies, a human and an alien species called Dracs, are forced to overcome their differences and form an unlikely bond.

Throughout this article, we will delve into 50 intriguing facts about “Enemy Mine,” shedding light on its production, cast, storyline, and impact on the sci-fi genre. So buckle up and get ready to dive into the depths of this captivating movie as we unveil some behind-the-scenes secrets and explore the enduring legacy of “Enemy Mine.

Key Takeaways:

“Enemy Mine” is a 1985 sci-fi film about friendship and acceptance between humans and aliens, with impressive special effects and a powerful message of unity.
The movie’s themes of empathy, friendship, and understanding are still relevant today, making it a timeless and thought-provoking cinematic experience.

Enemy Mine was released in 1985

Enemy Mine is a science fiction film that was released in It was directed by Wolfgang Petersen and stars Dennis Quaid and Louis Gossett Jr.

Based on a novella by Barry B. Longyear

The film is based on a novella of the same name written by Barry B. Longyear. The novella won both the Hugo and Nebula Awards for Best Novella.

Set in a futuristic intergalactic war

The story takes place during a war between humans and an alien race called the Dracs. The film explores the themes of war, friendship, and acceptance.

The film was a box office success

Enemy Mine was a moderate success at the box office, earning over $12 million in the United States. It has since gained a cult following and is considered a cult classic.

The film received mixed reviews

Upon its release, Enemy Mine received mixed reviews from critics. While some praised its performances and thought-provoking themes, others criticized its pacing and special effects.

Dennis Quaid plays the lead role

Dennis Quaid portrays the character of Willis Davidge, a human pilot who becomes stranded on an alien planet and forms an unlikely bond with a Drac named Jeriba “Jerry” Shigan.

Louis Gossett Jr. plays the Drac alien

Louis Gossett Jr. delivers a powerful performance as Jeriba “Jerry” Shigan, a Drac alien who initially sees humans as the enemy but eventually develops a deep friendship with Willis.

The film explores themes of tolerance and understanding

Enemy Mine delves into the themes of tolerance, acceptance, and the importance of understanding those who are different from us. It challenges societal prejudices and promotes empathy.

The film’s special effects were ahead of its time

Enemy Mine was praised for its impressive special effects, particularly for the creation of the Drac alien species . The film utilized both practical effects and early computer-generated imagery.

The film was shot on location in Iceland

To create the otherworldly landscapes, the filmmakers chose to shoot on location in Iceland . The stunning natural scenery adds to the sense of isolation and alienation felt by the characters.

The makeup for the Drac aliens was extensive

The makeup process for the Drac aliens was extensive, with Louis Gossett Jr. spending several hours each day in the makeup chair. The meticulous attention to detail brought the alien race to life.

The film’s soundtrack was composed by Maurice Jarre

Maurice Jarre composed the film’s score, which adds depth and emotion to the story. The music enhances the dramatic moments and reinforces the themes of friendship and understanding.

Enemy Mine received an Academy Award nomination

The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Makeup at the 58th Academy Awards. Although it didn’t win, the nomination brought recognition to the film’s impressive makeup effects.

The film has a unique language for the Drac aliens

In Enemy Mine, the Drac aliens have their own unique language, which was created by linguist Dr. Timothy P. McCone. The language adds authenticity to their characters and enhances the world-building.

The film explores the complexities of war

Enemy Mine goes beyond the typical notions of good versus evil and shows the complexities of war. It highlights the personal toll and the futility of conflict.

The film was influenced by classic literature

Wolfgang Petersen , the director, drew inspiration from classic literary works such as Robinson Crusoe and Moby-Dick. Enemy Mine shares themes of survival and the forging of unlikely friendships.

The film’s title reflects its central theme

The title “Enemy Mine” reflects the central theme of the film, which is the breaking down of barriers and finding common ground with those we perceive as enemies.

The film showcases stunning cinematography

Enemy Mine features breathtaking cinematography, with sweeping shots of the alien landscapes and intimate moments between the characters. The visuals enhance the storytelling and immerse the audience in the world of the film.

The film was a collaboration between the United States and Germany

Enemy Mine was a collaborative effort between American and German production companies. This cross-cultural collaboration brought a unique perspective to the film.

The film emphasizes the importance of empathy

One of the key messages of Enemy Mine is the importance of empathy and understanding. It shows that by putting aside our differences, we can form meaningful connections with others.

The film’s ending is bittersweet

Without giving away too much, the ending of Enemy Mine is bittersweet, leaving viewers with a sense of hope and reflection . It leaves room for interpretation and contemplation.

The film has become a cult classic

Over the years, Enemy Mine has gained a devoted cult following. Its unique blend of science fiction, drama, and themes of friendship has resonated with audiences.

The spaceship designs were influenced by real-world technology

The design of the spaceships in the film was influenced by real-world technology , adding a sense of realism to the futuristic setting. The attention to detail extends to every aspect of the film’s production design.

The film explores gender roles and expectations

Enemy Mine subtly explores gender roles and expectations through the relationship between Willis and Jerry. It challenges traditional notions and shows that true strength comes from understanding and cooperation.

The film’s message is still relevant today

Enemy Mine’s message of acceptance and unity is still relevant today. It serves as a reminder that our differences should be celebrated, not feared.

The film’s production faced challenges

During the production of Enemy Mine, there were challenges such as extreme weather conditions during the Iceland shoot and budgetary constraints. However, the filmmakers overcame these hurdles and created a captivating film.

The film’s reception has improved over time

While Enemy Mine received mixed reviews upon its release, its reputation has grown over the years. It is now recognized as a thought-provoking and underrated gem of science fiction cinema.

The film has memorable quotes

Enemy Mine features several memorable quotes, including Willis’ famous line, “Whoever saves one life, saves the world entire.” These quotes add depth to the characters and resonate with audiences.

The film’s set designs are meticulously crafted

The sets in Enemy Mine are meticulously crafted, creating a believable and immersive world. From the alien caves to the spaceships, every detail adds to the film’s unique atmosphere.

The film explores the nature of humanity

Enemy Mine prompts viewers to question what it means to be human. It challenges stereotypes and shows that compassion and understanding are fundamental human traits.

The film’s themes transcend the science fiction genre

Despite being set in a futuristic world, Enemy Mine addresses universal themes such as love, friendship, and the power of connection. Its emotional resonance extends beyond the sci-fi genre.

The film showcases the power of storytelling

Enemy Mine demonstrates the power of storytelling in conveying important messages. It uses the medium of film to make audiences reflect on their own beliefs and prejudices.

The film’s pacing allows for character development

Enemy Mine takes its time to develop its characters and their relationships. The deliberate pacing allows for a deeper understanding of their struggles and personal growth.

The film’s message is relevant in today’s divided world

With the world becoming increasingly divided, the message of Enemy Mine is more relevant than ever. It reminds us of the importance of empathy and finding common ground.

The film’s score enhances the emotional impact

Maurice Jarre’s score in Enemy Mine enhances the emotional impact of the film. The music heightens the intensity of the action scenes and adds depth to the quieter moments.

The film’s practical effects still hold up

Despite being released in 1985, the practical effects in Enemy Mine still hold up today. The creature designs and makeup effects are impressively done, adding to the realism of the film.

The film tackles social issues

Enemy Mine uses the science fiction genre as a platform to address social issues such as prejudice and xenophobia. It challenges viewers to examine their own biases and preconceptions.

The film’s message of unity is universal

Enemy Mine’s message of unity extends beyond borders and cultures. It serves as a reminder that our differences should not divide us, but rather bring us closer together.

The film showcases the power of friendship

The bond between Willis and Jerry in Enemy Mine highlights the transformative power of friendship. Their relationship transcends species and becomes a testament to the strength of human connection.

The film’s costume design is distinctive

The costume design in Enemy Mine is distinct and showcases the cultural differences between humans and the Drac aliens. The attention to detail adds depth to the characters and their respective backgrounds.

The film’s production values are impressive

Enemy Mine boasts impressive production values, from the set designs to the visual effects. The attention to detail creates a visually stunning and immersive world.

The film’s central performances are exceptional

Dennis Quaid and Louis Gossett Jr. deliver exceptional performances in Enemy Mine. Their chemistry and nuanced portrayals make their characters’ journey all the more compelling.

The film challenges stereotypes

Enemy Mine challenges stereotypes by presenting a nuanced portrayal of both humans and aliens. It encourages viewers to question their own biases and prejudices.

The film’s dialogue is thought-provoking

Enemy Mine features thought-provoking dialogue that delves into the complexities of war and the nature of humanity. The words spoken by the characters resonate long after the film ends.

The film’s exploration of identity is profound

Identity is a central theme in Enemy Mine, as both Willis and Jerry grapple with their sense of self and their place in the world. Their journey is a poignant exploration of personal growth.

The film has a powerful emotional impact

Enemy Mine evokes powerful emotions in its viewers. From moments of heartwarming friendship to heartbreaking tragedy, the film leaves a lasting impression.

The film’s themes resonate with audiences of all ages

Enemy Mine’s themes of friendship, acceptance, and understanding are timeless and resonate with audiences of all ages. It transcends generations and continues to captivate new viewers.

The film’s cinematography captures the beauty of Iceland

The choice to shoot in Iceland was a wise one, as the stunning landscapes beautifully juxtapose the harsh realities faced by the characters. The cinematography captures the otherworldly beauty of the country .

The film’s storytelling is engaging

Enemy Mine weaves a captivating narrative that keeps viewers engaged from beginning to end. The story unfolds in a way that keeps audiences guessing and emotionally invested.

The film leaves an impact

Enemy Mine leaves a lasting impact on its viewers. Its thought-provoking themes, strong performances, and powerful message combine to create an unforgettable cinematic experience.

In conclusion, “Enemy Mine” is a captivating and thought-provoking movie that explores themes of friendship, loyalty, and overcoming prejudice. With its stellar performances, stunning visual effects, and deep storytelling, it has rightfully earned its place as a beloved science fiction classic. Whether you’re a fan of the genre or simply looking for a unique and engaging film, “Enemy Mine” is definitely worth a watch.

Q: When was “Enemy Mine” released?

A: “Enemy Mine” was released on December 20, 1985.

Q: Who directed “Enemy Mine”?

A: The movie was directed by Wolfgang Petersen.

Q: What is the plot of “Enemy Mine”?

A: The film is set in a future where Earth is at war with an alien race called the Dracs. The story follows a human pilot named Willis Davidge (played by Dennis Quaid) and a Drac pilot named Jeriba “Jerry” Shigan (played by Louis Gossett Jr.) who crash-land on a deserted planet. Despite their initial hostility, they must learn to cooperate and trust each other in order to survive.

Q: Is “Enemy Mine” based on a book?

A: Yes , “Enemy Mine” is based on a science fiction novella of the same name written by Barry B. Longyear.

Q: Are there any notable performances in the movie?

A: Both Dennis Quaid and Louis Gossett Jr. deliver exceptional performances in their respective roles, bringing depth and emotion to the complex relationship between their characters.

Q: Does “Enemy Mine” have any sequels?

A: No, “Enemy Mine” does not have any official sequels, but it has been speculated that a sequel was in development at one point.

Q: Can “Enemy Mine” be considered a cult classic?

A: Yes, “Enemy Mine” has gained a dedicated following over the years and is often regarded as a cult classic among science fiction enthusiasts.

Q: Is “Enemy Mine” available on streaming platforms?

A: Yes, “Enemy Mine” can be streamed on various platforms such as Amazon Prime, iTunes, and Google Play.

Q: Does “Enemy Mine” have any notable awards?

A: Although “Enemy Mine” didn’t win any major awards, it was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Makeup and a Saturn Award for Best Science Fiction Film.

Q: What is the overall message of “Enemy Mine”?

A: “Enemy Mine” conveys a powerful message about the importance of embracing diversity, overcoming prejudices, and finding common ground in order to coexist peacefully.

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COMMENTS

Enemy Mine movie review & film summary (1985)
"Enemy Mine" is "Robinson Crusoe" set under the two suns and six moons of the volcanic planet Fyrine IV, a grim red landscape lashed by meteors and savage cold. One day, a century in the future, the spaceships of two warring pilots crash-land not far from each other. One of the pilots is a gee-whiz earthling, and the other one is a reptilian humanoid from the planet Dracon. Although they are ...
Enemy Mine
Vicki Sanders Miami Herald Enemy Mine may be peculiar in tone, but it is good-tempered and a fantasy worth having. May 25, 2023 Full Review Nell Minow Movie Mom Underappreciated gem with ...
Enemy Mine (1985)
Enemy Mine: Directed by Wolfgang Petersen. With Dennis Quaid, Louis Gossett Jr., Brion James, Richard Marcus. During a long space war, the lives of two wounded enemies become dependent on their ability to forgive and to trust.
Enemy Mine (1985)
Hey_Sweden 13 April 2018. "Enemy Mine" takes place in the future, when humankind no longer wages war among its own, but now does battle with an alien race called the Dracs. Dennis Quaid is Davidge, a fighter pilot who crashes on a remote planet while engaged in battle with a Drac (Louis Gossett, Jr.).
Enemy Mine (film)
Enemy Mine is a 1985 American science fiction action drama film directed by Wolfgang Petersen and written by Edward Khmara, based on Barry B. Longyear's novella of the same name.The film stars Dennis Quaid and Louis Gossett Jr. as a human and alien soldier, respectively, who become stranded together on an inhospitable planet and must overcome their mutual distrust in order to cooperate and ...
Revisiting Cult Classic Sci Fi Masterpiece 'Enemy Mine' at 35
And one of the Crown Jewels of the genre, and a personal favourite as well, is Sci Fi action film Enemy Mine, which turned 35 on December 20. The film was directed by Wolfgang Petersen ( Das Boot, The Neverending Story, In the Line of Fire, Troy, Air Force One) and based on the novella of the same name by Barry B. Longyear.
Enemy Mine
Mixed or Average Based on 9 Critic Reviews. 59. 56% Positive 5 Reviews. 22% Mixed 2 Reviews. 22% Negative 2 Reviews. All Reviews; ... If you are a science-fiction fan (and I am), Enemy Mine is a fun diversion, maintaining a precarious balance between laughable and melodramatic. But you do get the feeling they had hoped for an earth-shaking ...
Enemy Mine
TOP CRITIC. Enemy Mine may be peculiar in tone, but it is good-tempered and a fantasy worth having. Full Review | May 25, 2023. Mike Massie Gone With The Twins. The makeup effects aren't ...
Enemy Mine critic reviews
One of the largest wastes of money ever. More than $33 million was spent on this futuristic version of THE DEFIANT ONES or HELL IN THE PACIFIC, both infinitely superior films. The basic flaw is that its premise is older than your great-grandfather's hat. Metacritic aggregates music, game, tv, and movie reviews from the leading critics.
Enemy Mine (1985)
The movie has the potential to be a truly great story about communication between alien species; it could have been a space thriller with a mind and a heart. Instead, it gives us an alien that is too human, too familiar. It takes that amazing planet and gives it food, water, gravity and atmosphere that are suitable for both humans and Dracs.
Review
"Enemy Mine", a 1985 sci-fi adventure, portrays the unlikely alliance between two different species during an interspecies war. The initial xenophobic attitudes gradually give way to understanding and friendship as they struggle to survive together. Despite its initial box office failure, the film's emotional depth and relevant themes make it a truly worthwhile watch.
Enemy Mine
7/10. Jamie Havlin takes a look at a 1985 science fiction adventure movie that had aspirations to become the next Close Encounters or Star Wars. Based on an award winning novella by Barry B. Longyear and set in the late twenty-first century, Enemy Mine stars Dennis Quaid (The Right Stuff & The Big Easy) and Louis Gosset, Jr.
‎Enemy Mine (1985) directed by Wolfgang Petersen • Reviews, film + cast
Review by Travis Lytle ★★★★★ 6. A science fiction epic about forced-allegiances, survival, and eventual brotherhood, Wolfgang Petersen's "Enemy Mine" is a story that would be effective in any genre. Revolving around two individuals, enemies from birth, who form an uneasy alliance in order to preserve their lives, the story would ...
Enemy Mine 1985, directed by Wolfgang Petersen
Both Quaid and Gossett, the latter doing a passable imitation of a fish, perform like troopers, and one special effect in particular, where Gossett gives birth to a Drac-brat, is impressively ...
It's Time to Bring Back 'Enemy Mine'
Everett Collection. The 1985 film Enemy Mine tells the story of two soldiers—one human and one alien—who become unlikely allies when they are stranded together on a desolate planet. TV writer ...
Enemy Mine (1985)
Welcome back to another Movie review from Backtrack Cinema. In this review, we explore the 1985 film directed by Wolfgang Peterson and starringDennis Quaid a...
Film review: Enemy Mine
"Enemy Mine" bombed at the box office in 1985, a time of 'make war-war, not jaw-jaw'. Director Wolfgang Petersen, whose superb "Das Boot" had captured audience imagination with its dark portrayal of a U-Boat and its crew, then followed up with "The Neverending Story", the latter doing well at the box office, but not so ...
Enemy Mine (1985) Movie Review Eureka
A soldier from Earth crashlands on an alien world after sustaining battle damage. Eventually, he encounters another survivor, but from the enemy species he w...
Enemy Mine (1985)
On a distant planet, at the height of the war between the Dracon and Terran Empires, two military pilots crash in the heat of battle. One is Terran, one is Drac. Each is a repulsive alien to the other. Each is a professional warrior, filled with hatred for his blood enemy. Now, marooned on a hostile world, they have a choice.
Enemy Mine (1985) Movie Review
Enemy Mine (1985) Movie Review by Dave GulickMy Instagram http://instagram.com/davelikesmoviesMy TikTok http://tiktok.com/@davelikesmoviesMy X(Twitter) Accou...
SCREEN: 'ENEMY MINE'
''Enemy Mine'' is rated PG-13 (''Parental Guidance Suggested'' for those younger than 13). It contains violence and the above-mentioned childbirth scene, which may not scare children but certainly ...
50 Facts about the movie Enemy Mine
The film was a box office success. Enemy Mine was a moderate success at the box office, earning over $12 million in the United States. It has since gained a cult following and is considered a cult classic. The film received mixed reviews. Upon its release, Enemy Mine received mixed reviews from critics.