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MTDb โ€บ Best of โ€บ 1997 โ€บ The Rainmaker

The Rainmaker poster

The Rainmaker (1997)

โ€œThey were totally unqualified to try the case of a lifetime... but every underdog has his day.โ€

7.0/10 ยท 1,547 votes 2h 15m pg-13 ThrillerDramaCrime

#37 of 113 films from 1997 #617 of 2475 in thriller

Directed by Francis Ford Coppola ยท Written by Francis Ford Coppola, Michael Herr, John Grisham

โ–ถ Trailer, images & where to stream

Overview

Fresh out of law school and desperate for work, idealistic rookie Rudy Baylor takes on a powerful insurance company accused of denying a dying boyโ€™s claim. Teaming up with a scrappy, unlicensed paralegal, he finds himself in a David-versus-Goliath courtroom battle that tests his ethics, courage, and belief in justice.

Cast

Matt Damonas Rudy Baylor
Claire Danesas Kelly Riker
Danny DeVitoas Deck Shifflet
Jon Voightas Leo F. Drummond
Mary Kay Placeas Dot Black
Dean Stockwellas Judge Harvey Hale
Mickey Rourkeas Bruiser Stone
Danny Gloveras Richter Tyrone Kipler
Virginia Madsenas Jackie Lemancyzk
Randy Travisas Billy Porter
Roy Scheideras Wilfred Keeley
Red Westas Buddy Black
Johnny Whitworthas Donny Ray Black
Andrew Shueas Cliff Riker

Facts

Release dateNovember 18, 1997
Runtime135 min (2h 15m) โ€” longer as the 1997 average of 109 min
GenresThriller, Drama, Crime
LanguageEN
Budget$40,000,000
Box office$45,916,769 (1.1ร— budget)
IMDbtt0119978

More from Francis Ford Coppola

The GodfatherThe Godfather1972 ยท โ˜… 8.7 ยท 2h 55m The Godfather Part IIThe Godfather Part II1974 ยท โ˜… 8.6 ยท 3h 22m Apocalypse NowApocalypse Now1979 ยท โ˜… 8.3 ยท 2h 27m The ConversationThe Conversation1974 ยท โ˜… 7.5 ยท 1h 55m The Godfather Part IIIThe Godfather Part III1990 ยท โ˜… 7.4 ยท 2h 42m Bram Stoker's DraculaBram Stoker's Dracula1992 ยท โ˜… 7.4 ยท 2h 8m The OutsidersThe Outsiders1983 ยท โ˜… 7.2 ยท 1h 31m Rumble FishRumble Fish1983 ยท โ˜… 7.0 ยท 1h 34m

If you liked The Rainmaker

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Pulp FictionPulp Fiction1994 ยท โ˜… 8.5 ยท 2h 34m The Silence of the LambsThe Silence of the Lambs1991 ยท โ˜… 8.3 ยท 1h 59m The Usual SuspectsThe Usual Suspects1995 ยท โ˜… 8.2 ยท 1h 46m Bound by HonorBound by Honor1993 ยท โ˜… 8.2 ยท 3h 10m Memories of MurderMemories of Murder2003 ยท โ˜… 8.1 ยท 2h 11m Carlito's WayCarlito's Way1993 ยท โ˜… 7.8 ยท 2h 24m Infernal AffairsInfernal Affairs2002 ยท โ˜… 7.8 ยท 1h 41m FargoFargo1996 ยท โ˜… 7.8 ยท 1h 38m

Questions

How long is The Rainmaker?
The Rainmaker runs 135 minutes (2h 15m).
Is The Rainmaker worth watching?
TMDB users give it 7/10 across 1,547 votes, which places it #37 of 113 films released in 1997 in this index (top 68%) and #617 among 2475 thriller titles.
Who directed The Rainmaker?
The Rainmaker was directed by Francis Ford Coppola. Other well-rated titles by the same director: The Godfather (1972), The Godfather Part II (1974), Apocalypse Now (1979).
Who stars in The Rainmaker?
Matt Damon as Rudy Baylor; Claire Danes as Kelly Riker; Danny DeVito as Deck Shifflet; Jon Voight as Leo F. Drummond; Mary Kay Place as Dot Black; Dean Stockwell as Judge Harvey Hale.
What is The Rainmaker rated?
It carries a pg-13 certification in its home market. Ratings differ by country.
Where can I watch the trailer for The Rainmaker?
Open the title in the MTDb app for trailers, images and streaming links: https://mv.peoplentools.com/titles/4998.

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Film data and images from TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB. Ratings are TMDB user scores as of 2026-10-05.