The Rock (1996)
Michael Bay's explosive 1996 thriller pits Sean Connery and Nicolas Cage against a rogue general holding Alcatraz hostage.
The Rock - Movie Information
- Original Title: The Rock
- Release Year: 1996
- Directed by: Michael Bay
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Action, Adventure, Thriller
- Age Rating (US): R
- Runtime: 2h 17m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): June 7, 1996 (Canada - 14A), June 7, 1996 (United States - R), June 21, 1996 (United Kingdom - 15), July 11, 1996 (Germany - 16), July 31, 1996 (France - 16), June 21, 1996 (Australia - MA 15+), July 11, 1996 (Brazil - 16), August 30, 1996 (Italy - VM14), August 8, 1996 (Spain - 18), July 13, 1996 (South Korea - 15)
- Alternative Titles: Скала (RU), The Rock - Entscheidung auf Alcatraz (DE), A Rocha (BR), Qaya (AZ), Скалата (BG), 石破天驚 (HK), La roca (ES), Rock (FR)
- Production Companies: Don Simpson/Jerry Bruckheimer Films, Hollywood Pictures, Buena Vista Pictures
- Production Countries: United States of America
The Rock - Plot
When vengeful General Francis X. Hummel seizes control of Alcatraz Island and threatens to launch missiles loaded with deadly chemical weapons into San Francisco, only a young FBI chemical weapons expert and notorious Federal prisoner have the skills to penetrate the impregnable island fortress and take him down.
The Rock - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the action unfold on Alcatraz:
Alcatraz. Only one man has ever broken out. Now five million lives depend on two men breaking in.
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The Rock - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Michael Bay
Main Cast
- Sean Connery
- Nicolas Cage
- Ed Harris
- John Spencer
- David Morse
- William Forsythe
- Michael Biehn
- Vanessa Marcil
- John C. McGinley
- Gregory Sporleder
Writers
- Douglas S. Cook
- Mark Rosner
- David Weisberg
- Jonathan Hensleigh
Producers
- Don Simpson
- Jerry Bruckheimer
The Rock - FAQs
What is The Rock about?
The Rock follows a rogue U.S. Marine general who seizes Alcatraz Island and threatens to launch nerve-agent missiles at San Francisco. A young FBI chemical weapons expert and a mysterious British operative — the only man ever to escape Alcatraz — are sent in to stop him before millions die.
Is John Mason based on a real person?
Sean Connery's character John Mason is fictional, but the film cheekily implies he may be a former British intelligence operative with a murky past. Some fan theories link Mason to James Bond, though this is never confirmed. The character was crafted specifically to give Connery a role that played on his iconic spy persona.
Where can you stream The Rock right now?
You can stream The Rock on AMC, AMC+, AMC+ via Amazon Channel, and AMC Plus Apple TV Channel. If you prefer to own it, it's available to buy or rent on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Fandango At Home.
Is General Hummel a villain or a hero?
Ed Harris plays General Hummel as a deeply conflicted antagonist — a decorated war hero driven by genuine grief over soldiers abandoned by their government. The film deliberately blurs the line between villain and tragic figure, making him one of the most compelling and morally nuanced antagonists in 1990s action cinema.
Who are the main actors in The Rock?
The Rock features a powerhouse cast led by Sean Connery as the enigmatic John Mason, Nicolas Cage as FBI chemist Dr. Stanley Goodspeed, and Ed Harris as the rogue General Hummel. Supporting roles are filled by John Spencer, David Morse, William Forsythe, Michael Biehn, and Vanessa Marcil.
Does The Rock have a post-credits scene?
No, The Rock doesn't have a post-credits scene — it's a mid-1990s action film, well before that became a Hollywood convention. Once the credits roll, you're done. But the film's final moments do leave Mason's fate satisfyingly open-ended, which fans have debated ever since.
How was The Rock received by critics?
Critics gave The Rock a warm reception for a summer blockbuster, praising its charismatic leads and relentless pacing. It holds a strong approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and is widely regarded as one of Michael Bay's best films — a rare case where his bombastic style genuinely served the material.
Was The Rock a box office success in 1996?
Absolutely. Made on a $75 million budget, The Rock earned over $335 million worldwide, making it one of the biggest hits of summer 1996. It launched Michael Bay and producer Jerry Bruckheimer into the blockbuster stratosphere and cemented the film's status as a defining action movie of the decade.
More About The Rock
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