Reservoir Dogs (1992)

Quentin Tarantino's explosive debut pits a crew of color-coded criminals against each other after a diamond heist unravels in spectacular, blood-soaked fashion.

Reservoir Dogs - Movie Information

  • Original Title: Reservoir Dogs
  • Release Year: 1992
  • Directed by: Quentin Tarantino
  • Type: Movie
  • Genres: Crime, Thriller
  • Age Rating (US): R
  • Runtime: 1h 39m
  • Original Language: English
  • Spoken Languages: English
  • Release Date (Theatrical): September 2, 1992 (France - 16), January 8, 1993 (United Kingdom - 18), September 10, 1992 (Germany - 18), September 2, 1992 (India - UA), July 30, 1993 (Australia - MA 15+), June 4, 1993 (Brazil - 16), October 16, 1992 (Mexico - C), October 9, 1992 (Italy - VM18), October 14, 1992 (Spain - 18), March 23, 1996 (South Korea - 18)
  • Alternative Titles: Stekli psi (SI), Cani da rapina (IT), Rengli Itler (AZ), Құтырған иттер (KZ), Rezaboa Doggusu (JP), Perros de la calle (AR), रेज़र्वायर डॉग्स (IN), Perros de la calle (UY)
  • Production Companies: Live Entertainment, Dog Eat Dog Productions
  • Production Countries: United States of America

Reservoir Dogs - Plot

A botched robbery indicates a police informant, and the pressure mounts in the aftermath at a warehouse. Crime begets violence as the survivors -- veteran Mr. White, newcomer Mr. Orange, psychopathic parolee Mr. Blonde, bickering weasel Mr. Pink and Nice Guy Eddie -- unravel.

Reservoir Dogs - Trailer

Watch the official trailer and see the tension ignite from the very first frame:

Every dog has his day.

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Reservoir Dogs - Cast & Crew

Director(s)

  • Quentin Tarantino

Main Cast

  • Harvey Keitel
  • Tim Roth
  • Michael Madsen
  • Chris Penn
  • Steve Buscemi
  • Lawrence Tierney
  • Randy Brooks
  • Kirk Baltz
  • Edward Bunker
  • Quentin Tarantino

Writers

  • Quentin Tarantino

Producers

  • Lawrence Bender

Reservoir Dogs - FAQs

Who is the police informant in Reservoir Dogs?

Mr. Orange, played by Tim Roth, is the undercover police informant embedded within the crew. His true identity as Detective Freddy Newandyke is gradually revealed through flashbacks, forming the emotional and narrative core of the film's tension-filled structure.

What does the ear scene mean in Reservoir Dogs?

The infamous ear-cutting scene, in which Mr. Blonde tortures a captive police officer while dancing to 'Stuck in the Middle with You,' is widely interpreted as Tarantino's commentary on the casual, almost theatrical nature of violence among career criminals — disturbing precisely because of its cheerful detachment.

Where can you stream Reservoir Dogs?

Reservoir Dogs is available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. It can also be rented on Spectrum On Demand and watched for free through the Plex Channel. Availability may vary by region.

Is Reservoir Dogs based on a true story?

Reservoir Dogs is not based on a true story. It is an original screenplay by Quentin Tarantino, though it draws stylistic inspiration from Hong Kong crime cinema, particularly Ringo Lam's City on Fire (1987), and from classic American crime fiction and noir traditions.

Who are the main actors in Reservoir Dogs?

The principal cast includes Harvey Keitel as Mr. White, Tim Roth as Mr. Orange, Michael Madsen as Mr. Blonde, Steve Buscemi as Mr. Pink, Chris Penn as Nice Guy Eddie, and Lawrence Tierney as crime boss Joe Cabot. Director Quentin Tarantino also appears as Mr. Brown.

What is the age rating for Reservoir Dogs?

Reservoir Dogs is rated R in the United States for strong brutal violence, pervasive language, and drug use. International ratings vary: it received an 18 certificate in the UK and Germany, VM18 in Italy, and MA 15+ in Australia.

How long is Reservoir Dogs?

Reservoir Dogs has a runtime of 1 hour and 39 minutes (99 minutes). Despite its compact length, the film delivers a dense, non-linear narrative that makes it feel both urgent and expansive, a testament to Tarantino's tightly constructed debut screenplay.

Did Reservoir Dogs win any awards?

While Reservoir Dogs did not win major mainstream awards, it was a critical sensation at the 1992 Sundance Film Festival and earned Tarantino widespread recognition. It is consistently ranked among the greatest crime films ever made and launched one of cinema's most celebrated careers.

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