After a hit-and-run takes the life of a man's daughter, breaking his heart and destroying his marriage, he plots revenge on the man who did it. When the driver is released from prison six years later, the two men find themselves on a fateful collision course. Penned by Penn, in a nod to French New Waver Claude Chabrol's similarly gripping "This Man Must Die."

Ever since the day a drunk driver killed Freddy's Gale's 7-year-old daughter, Gale has been consumed with grief and revenge. So, shortly after the driver, John Booth, is released from prison, Gale attempts to murder him. He fails in this task, but informs Booth that he will certainly return in three days to complete the job.
During this period, however, Gale grows ever more emotionally erratic. He finally realizes he must confront his many demons... before his downward spiral results in the death of others.

Shown at the 1995 Venice and Toronto Film Festivals.

Released theatrically in New York and Los Angeles November 15,
1995. The film grossed $868,979 domestically.

Color by DeLuxe.

Rated BBFC 15 by the British Board of Film Classification.

The Miramax laserdisc (7404AS) includes audio commentary by Sean Penn and others.

DVD Features:

Region 1
Keep Case

Distributor Notes: The Crossing Guard

Academy Award(R)-winner Jack Nicholson (1997 Best Actor, AS GOOD AS IT GETS) drives this suspenseful, critically acclaimed action thriller about one man's unquenchable thirst for revenge! For six agonizing years, Freddy Gale (Nicholson) has waited for John Booth (David Morse, THE NEGOTIATOR), the man jailed for a crime that destroyed Freddy's life. Now, Booth is out of prison and Freddy's giving him three days before he returns ... to even the score! Directed by Sean Penn and starring Academy Award(R)-winner Anjelica Huston (1985 Best Supporting Actress, PRIZZI'S HONOR) and sexy Robin Wright (MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE), THE CROSSING GUARD is an intense, emotionally charged thriller that delivers!

Source: Buena Vista Home Entertainment

Jack Nicholson: American actor, producer, ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST
Robin Wright: Actress, THE PLEDGE (2000)
Anjelica Huston: American actress, THE GRIFTERS/THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS
David Morse: American TV/Film Actor

Sean Penn: Actor, Director

David S. Hamburger: 
Sean Penn: Actor, Director

Sean Penn: Actor, Director

Jack Nitzsche: Composer/Music Producer

Jay Cassidy: Editor

"...Penn deserves admiration for both an interest in material and an approach that lie outside the safety zone of commercial certainty..."
"...Penn's skill with actors offers its own rewards....Nicholson and the stunningly effective Huston achieve a rare poignancy..."
"...THE CROSSING GUARD gives us the most honourable Jack Nicholson performance this decade..."
"...Penn does a solid job....[Nicholson's] most convincing characterization in years."
"...A portrayal of death, denial, pain and self-destruction that obviously comes from the heart..." -- 3 out of 4 stars