Release calendarTop 250 moviesMost popular moviesBrowse movies by genreTop box officeShowtimes & ticketsMovie newsIndia movie spotlight
    What's on TV & streamingTop 250 TV showsMost popular TV showsBrowse TV shows by genreTV news
    What to watchLatest trailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb SpotlightFamily entertainment guideIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsEmmysToronto Int'l Film FestivalHispanic Heritage MonthIMDb Stars to WatchSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll events
    Born todayMost popular celebsCelebrity news
    Help centerContributor zonePolls
For industry professionals
  • Language
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Watchlist
Sign in
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Use app
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • FAQ
IMDbPro

Bird on a Wire

  • 1990
  • PG-13
  • 1h 50m
IMDb RATING
6.0/10
50K
YOUR RATING
Mel Gibson and Goldie Hawn in Bird on a Wire (1990)
Home Video Trailer from Universal Studios Home Entertainment
Play trailer1:12
1 Video
68 Photos
ActionComedyCrime

An old flame discovers her ex-boyfriend from the past is a relocated FBI informant out to stop the bad guys.An old flame discovers her ex-boyfriend from the past is a relocated FBI informant out to stop the bad guys.An old flame discovers her ex-boyfriend from the past is a relocated FBI informant out to stop the bad guys.

  • Director
    • John Badham
  • Writers
    • Louis Venosta
    • Eric Lerner
    • David Seltzer
  • Stars
    • Mel Gibson
    • Goldie Hawn
    • David Carradine
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.0/10
    50K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • John Badham
    • Writers
      • Louis Venosta
      • Eric Lerner
      • David Seltzer
    • Stars
      • Mel Gibson
      • Goldie Hawn
      • David Carradine
    • 96User reviews
    • 45Critic reviews
    • 36Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Bird On A Wire
    Trailer 1:12
    Bird On A Wire

    Photos68

    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    + 60
    View Poster

    Top cast39

    Edit
    Mel Gibson
    Mel Gibson
    • Rick Jarmin
    Goldie Hawn
    Goldie Hawn
    • Marianne Graves
    David Carradine
    David Carradine
    • Eugene Sorenson
    Bill Duke
    Bill Duke
    • Albert Diggs
    Stephen Tobolowsky
    Stephen Tobolowsky
    • Joe Weyburn
    Joan Severance
    Joan Severance
    • Rachel Varney
    Harry Caesar
    Harry Caesar
    • Marvin
    Jeff Corey
    Jeff Corey
    • Lou Baird
    Alex Bruhanski
    Alex Bruhanski
    • Raun
    John Pyper-Ferguson
    John Pyper-Ferguson
    • Jamie
    Clyde Kusatsu
    Clyde Kusatsu
    • Mr. Takawaki
    Jackson Davies
    • Paul Bernard
    Florence Paterson
    • Molly Baird
    Tim Healy
    • Paul
    Wes Tritter
    • Scottie
    Lossen Chambers
    Lossen Chambers
    • Lossen
    Ken Camroux-Taylor
    Ken Camroux-Taylor
    • Neff
    • (as Ken Camroux)
    Wendy Van Riesen
    • Secretary
    • Director
      • John Badham
    • Writers
      • Louis Venosta
      • Eric Lerner
      • David Seltzer
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews96

    6.049.9K
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10

    Featured reviews

    6Pjtaylor-96-138044

    Only as good as it needs to be.

    'Bird On A Wire (1990)' is just a generic action-comedy with a will they/won't they central dynamic that takes the 'cop' out of 'buddy cop' and replaces it with 'romance'. Basically, it's 'It Happened One Night (1934)' meets 'Lethal Weapon (1987)', except that it's nowhere near as good as either of those inspirations. It's not bad, of course. It has a couple of engaging set-pieces and it's generally rather enjoyable. It's just very generic and, ultimately, forgettable. It's only as good as it needs to be, essentially. It's not bad, but it's not great, either. 6/10.
    7Soledad-2

    This movie is really good.

    Don't pay attention to negative reviews. This movie is really good and I'm sure everyone will enjoy it as much as I did. Mel Gibson and Goldie Hawn are a wonderful couple and their performance is excellent. Don't wait any longer ... rent it right now!
    7blanche-2

    bad day at the zoo for Mel and Goldie

    The star power of Mel Gibson and Goldie Hawn help this 1990 action film, which is about a witness protection program refugee who reconnects by accident with his old girlfriend. The two then run to avoid the people after him. And run and run and run.

    There are so many chase scenes in this movie, I lost count, but they lead to a very effective finale in the zoo. I enjoyed this movie because of its two stars. I thought they had great chemistry and repartee.

    The movie is short on plot and character development, you know, things that one would occasionally enjoy seeing in a film, and long on action, charm, Mel's rear, Goldie's figure, and fashion. On this basis, I found it enjoyable.
    NoArrow

    An action movie for the whole family!

    I've watched "Bird on a Wire" ever since my age was a one-digit number. The plot focuses on a man in the witness protection program (Mel Gibson) who is being pursued by the criminal that he put away (David Carradine). He teams up with an old flame (Goldie Hawn) and the two go on an action-filled road trip, ending in a climactic battle in a zoo.

    This has got to be one of the funniest, coolest, and most exciting action movies I've ever seen. I recommend it to anyone who knows that EVERY SINGLE action movie doesn't have to have perfect plot or perfect acting.

    Great action, 7/10.
    6bkoganbing

    Mel and Goldie on the run

    Bird On A Wire has lawyer Goldie Hawn accidentally discovering the man who left her at the altar working as a garage mechanic in a Detroit garage where Mel has adopted a really cheesy southern accent. Of course she wants an explanation.

    What Goldie isn't ready to swallow is that Mel has been in witness protection after infiltrating and then giving testimony against drug kingpin David Carradine. Carradine is out after 15 years and looking for payback. He's got a nasty associate in Bill Duke and a corrupt FBI agent Stephen Tobolowsky helping.

    Mel and Goldie work well together in this chase film bearing some resemblance to The 39 Steps. I'm surprised she did not do this with Kurt Russell, seems like a natural for Hollywood's most famous unmarried couple. Some resemblance to the Clint Eastwood classic The Gauntlet will be apparent as well.

    The climax takes place in a zoo which was another of Gibson's witness protection jobs. The animals are of great help to our fleeing couple.

    A must for fans of the two stars.

    Best Emmys Moments

    Best Emmys Moments
    Discover nominees and winners, red carpet looks, and more from the Emmys!

    More like this

    Tequila Sunrise
    6.1
    Tequila Sunrise
    Air America
    5.8
    Air America
    Forever Young
    6.4
    Forever Young
    HouseSitter
    6.2
    HouseSitter
    Conspiracy Theory
    6.7
    Conspiracy Theory
    Maverick
    7.0
    Maverick
    Overboard
    6.9
    Overboard
    Private Benjamin
    6.2
    Private Benjamin
    Lethal Weapon 3
    6.7
    Lethal Weapon 3
    Ransom
    6.7
    Ransom
    The Ninth Gate
    6.7
    The Ninth Gate
    Lethal Weapon 2
    7.3
    Lethal Weapon 2

    Related interests

    Bruce Willis in Die Hard (1988)
    Action
    Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy
    James Gandolfini, Edie Falco, Sharon Angela, Max Casella, Dan Grimaldi, Joe Perrino, Donna Pescow, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Tony Sirico, and Michael Drayer in The Sopranos (1999)
    Crime

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Goldie Hawn did most of her own stunts, after being convinced by Mel Gibson to do so. She was originally reluctant to perform them, fearing the harsh and overwhelming nature of the tasks. She was eventually so pleased with her stunt performances that she kept her stuntman's jacket after filming resumed, and as of 2017 still exhibits it next to her Oscar statuette.
    • Goofs
      When Rick and Marianne are escaping across the top of the hotel room, it is only minutes after her early breakfast was delivered at 10 to 7. As they crawl across the framework on the hotel roof, a clock in the background is showing around 07:30. When Rick falls and clambers back up, less than a minute later the clock is showing nearer 08:00
    • Quotes

      Rick Jarmin: I haven't had a girlfriend for 5 years.

      Marianne Graves: Really?

      Rick: Yeah - Mr. Wiggly's been on bread and water for 5 long years.

    • Crazy credits
      Credits scroll down instead of up
    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: You Blew It! (1990)
    • Soundtracks
      Bird On A Wire
      Written by Leonard Cohen

      Produced and Arranged by David A. Stewart

      Performed by The The Neville Brothers

      Courtesy of A&M Records

    Top picks

    Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations
    Sign in

    FAQ18

    • How long is Bird on a Wire?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 18, 1990 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Tiro al blanco
    • Filming locations
      • Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    • Production companies
      • Interscope Communications
      • The Badham-Cohen Group
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $20,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $70,978,012
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $15,338,160
      • May 20, 1990
    • Gross worldwide
      • $138,697,012
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 50m(110 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
    Follow IMDb on social
    Get the IMDb App
    For Android and iOS
    Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • License IMDb Data
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your Ads Privacy Choices
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2025 by IMDb.com, Inc.