Kara Sears
The 1998 film A Civil Action is based on the book of the same name by Jonathan Harr, which recounts a true case. The film stars John Travolta as Jan Schlichtmann, a lawyer who takes on a case of water contamination in Woburn, Massachusetts, which is traced to industrial pollution. The case becomes complex and financially burdensome, leading to severe debt for Schlichtmann's firm. The film offers insights into the workings of the legal system and the struggle between Schlichtmann's firm and its creditors.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Film Name | A Civil Action |
| Year | 1998 |
| Genre | Biography, Drama, Legal Drama |
| Director | Steven Zaillian |
| Writers | Jonathan Harr (book), Steven Zaillian (screenplay) |
| Stars | John Travolta, Robert Duvall, James Gandolfini, William H. Macy, John Lithgow, Tony Shalhoub, Kathleen Quinlan |
| Based On | The book "A Civil Action" by Jonathan Harr |
| Awards | Nominated for Best Supporting Actor (Duvall) and Best Cinematography (Conrad Hall) at the 71st Academy Awards |
| Case Name | Anderson v. Cryovac |
| Location | Woburn, Massachusetts |
| Case Details | Series of childhood leukemia cases traced to contaminated groundwater linked to industrial pollution |
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What You'll Learn
- The movie is based on the book of the same name by Jonathan Harr
- It is based on the case of Anderson v. Cryovac
- The case involves childhood leukemia caused by contaminated groundwater
- Beatrice Foods and W. R. Grace are the corporate defendants
- The movie focuses on the legal system and how empathy changes the protagonist
The movie is based on the book of the same name by Jonathan Harr
The 1999 movie "A Civil Action" is based on the book of the same name by Jonathan Harr, published in 1995. The book is a non-fiction bestseller that won the National Book Critics Circle Award for Nonfiction. It is based on the real-life case of Anderson v. Cryovac, which took place in Woburn, Massachusetts, in the 1980s.
The story revolves around a water contamination case, where a series of childhood leukemia cases is traced to contaminated groundwater linked to industrial pollution. Anne Anderson, a local resident who lost her son to leukemia, notices a high prevalence of the disease in her city. She approaches a self-assured Boston lawyer, Jan Schlichtmann, known for lucrative settlements. Initially dismissive due to the lack of evidence and a clear defendant, Schlichtmann eventually takes on the case and uncovers evidence of widespread trichloroethylene contamination and potential corporate negligence by two local tannery operators, Beatrice Foods and W.R. Grace.
The book and movie depict the legal battle that ensues as Schlichtmann files a class action lawsuit in federal court on behalf of the affected families. The story highlights the complexities and financial burdens of the case, as well as the struggle between Schlichtmann's firm and its creditors. The film showcases the involvement of seasoned attorneys, such as Jerome Facher, who represents Beatrice Foods, and the rulings by the presiding judge that hinder the plaintiffs' strategy.
The outcome of the case in the movie differs from the book's depiction of real-life events. In the film, the jury rules in favor of Beatrice, and Schlichtmann's firm is left in severe debt, leading to its dissolution. However, in the book and actual events, the jury finds Beatrice not liable, and while Schlichtmann's firm accepts a settlement from W.R. Grace, it is far below their expectations. Despite the differences in outcome, both the book and the movie powerfully demonstrate the imperfections of the legal system and the struggle between greed, power, and justice.
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It is based on the case of Anderson v. Cryovac
The 1998 film A Civil Action is based on the 1980s water contamination case of Anderson v. Cryovac. The film stars John Travolta as plaintiff's lawyer Jan Schlichtmann and Robert Duvall as Beatrice Foods attorney Jerome Facher. In the film, Schlichtmann files a class action lawsuit in federal court on behalf of eight families, seeking compensation, accountability, and cleanup of the polluted land. As the case progresses, it becomes increasingly complex and financially burdensome for Schlichtmann's firm.
The real-life case of Anderson v. Cryovac took place in Woburn, Massachusetts, where residents sued Beatrice Foods, the operator of a tannery; Cryovac, a subsidiary of W. R. Grace and Company; and UniFirst, a laundry service, for dumping chemicals that contaminated nearby groundwater. The lawsuit concerned the toxic contamination of groundwater by chemicals including trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene, 1,2 transdichloroethylene, and trichloroethane. The contamination was discovered in 1979 when public health officials found that two municipal water wells, designated "G" and "H," were contaminated by these toxic solvents.
The first reported decision in the case, Anderson v. Cryovac, was the denial of the defendants' motion to dismiss, indicating that the case had sufficient merit to proceed. The case resulted in revelations of water polluted primarily with trichloroethylene and perchloroethylene, which had contributed to a cancer cluster and other negative health effects in the area. The complex legal proceedings involved multiple appeals and disputes over the trial structure, with the court deciding to bifurcate by first determining liability and then assessing damages.
The film A Civil Action takes some fictional liberties with the story, focusing on how the law works rather than a simplistic battle between good and evil. It highlights the financial strain on Schlichtmann's firm, the struggle between the firm and its creditors, and the eventual bankruptcy that resulted from pursuing the case. Despite the jury ruling in favour of Beatrice in the film, the Environmental Protection Agency pursued its own enforcement actions, resulting in multimillion-dollar cleanup settlements.
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The case involves childhood leukemia caused by contaminated groundwater
The 1998 film A Civil Action is based on the 1995 non-fiction book of the same name by Jonathan Harr. The film, directed by Steven Zaillian, is a dramatization of a landmark environmental lawsuit in Woburn, Massachusetts, in the 1980s. The case involves childhood leukemia caused by contaminated groundwater linked to industrial pollution.
Anne Anderson, a local resident who lost her son to leukemia, noticed a high prevalence of the disease in her city. She gathered other families and approached Jan Schlichtmann, a self-assured Boston lawyer, to take on their case. Initially, Schlichtmann was dismissive due to the perceived lack of profitability and evidence, as well as the absence of a clear defendant. However, he later uncovered evidence of widespread trichloroethylene contamination and potential corporate negligence by two local tannery operators, Beatrice Foods and W. R. Grace and Company.
Schlichtmann filed a class-action lawsuit in federal court on behalf of eight families affected by the contaminated groundwater. The lawsuit sought not just compensation but also accountability and cleanup of the polluted land. As the case progressed, it became increasingly complex and financially burdensome for Schlichtmann's firm. The defense, led by seasoned attorneys including Jerome Facher, proved formidable, and the presiding judge's rulings hindered the plaintiffs' strategy.
Despite Schlichtmann's refusal to settle, believing in the moral and financial significance of the case, his firm struggled financially. Eventually, they were forced to accept a settlement from W.R. Grace for $8 million, which barely offset the litigation costs. Schlichtmann's firm dissolved, leaving him disillusioned and financially ruined. However, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), using evidence from the trial, pursued its own enforcement actions against Beatrice and W.R. Grace. This resulted in multimillion-dollar cleanup settlements, marking one of the largest chemical cleanups in the Northeastern United States at the time.
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Beatrice Foods and W. R. Grace are the corporate defendants
In the movie, John Travolta plays Jan Schlichtmann, a lawyer who takes on a case in which eight children in Woburn, Massachusetts, have died of leukemia. The theory is that spilled chemicals from a local factory and tanning plant tainted the water and caused the cancer. Beatrice Foods and W. R. Grace are the owners of the factory and plant, respectively. Schlichtmann believes that the case is both morally and financially significant, and he refuses to settle, which leads his firm into severe debt and strains his personal and professional relationships.
The case against Beatrice Foods and W. R. Grace is complex and financially burdensome. Beatrice Foods is represented by Jerome Facher (played by Robert Duvall), a brilliant and experienced lawyer who hides his knowledge behind a facade of eccentricity. W. R. Grace is represented by William Cheeseman (played by Bruce Norris), who is portrayed as inept.
The jury finds Beatrice Foods not liable, and Schlichtmann's firm is forced to accept a settlement from W. R. Grace for $8 million, which barely offsets litigation costs and effectively bankrupts the firm. Schlichtmann later discovers a critical witness but lacks the resources to appeal. However, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) uses evidence uncovered during the trial to pursue its own enforcement actions against Beatrice Foods and W. R. Grace, resulting in multimillion-dollar cleanup settlements.
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The movie focuses on the legal system and how empathy changes the protagonist
The 1998 film "A Civil Action" is based on the non-fiction book of the same name by Jonathan Harr, which won the National Book Critics Circle Award for nonfiction. The movie focuses on the legal system and how empathy changes the protagonist, Jan Schlichtmann (played by John Travolta), a self-assured Boston lawyer known for lucrative settlements.
Initially, Schlichtmann is dismissive of the case due to its perceived lack of profitability. However, after uncovering evidence of widespread trichloroethylene contamination and potential corporate negligence by two local tannery operators, Beatrice Foods and W.R. Grace, he becomes personally invested in seeking justice for the affected families. Schlichtmann's refusal to settle, despite the financial burden and strain on his firm, demonstrates his commitment to doing what is morally right rather than what is financially beneficial.
As the case progresses, Schlichtmann's firm sinks $1.4 million into it, and he mortgages his partners' homes. The defense, led by seasoned attorney Jerome Facher (played by Robert Duvall), proves formidable, and the presiding judge issues rulings that hinder the plaintiffs' strategy. Despite these challenges, Schlichtmann perseveres, driven by his empathy for the families and his desire to hold the responsible companies accountable.
The movie does not portray a hero attorney beating up the bad guys in a climactic courtroom scene. Instead, it explores the systemic challenges of the legal process and how Schlichtmann's sudden empathy with human suffering changes his personality from an ambulance chaser to someone committed heart and soul to his clients' cause. Duvall's character, Jerome Facher, serves as a contrast to Schlichtmann, portraying a brilliant and experienced lawyer who hides his knowledge behind a facade of eccentricity.
Ultimately, the jury rules in favor of Beatrice Foods, and Schlichtmann's firm is left financially ruined. However, the Environmental Protection Agency, using evidence uncovered during the trial, pursues its own enforcement actions against both corporations, resulting in multimillion-dollar cleanup settlements. Schlichtmann eventually pays off his debts and resumes legal practice, specializing in environmental law in New Jersey.
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Frequently asked questions
The movie 'A Civil Action' is based on a true story of a water contamination case in Woburn, Massachusetts, in the 1980s. It follows a group of families who seek legal help after their children are diagnosed with leukemia, a rare disease, in their city. The lawyer they approach, Jan Schlichtmann, initially refuses to take the case due to a lack of evidence and a clear defendant. However, he later changes his mind and files a class-action lawsuit in federal court seeking compensation, accountability, and cleanup of the polluted land.
The movie 'A Civil Action' is based on the non-fiction book of the same name by Jonathan Harr, which recounts the true case of Anderson v. Cryovac. The book won the National Book Critics Circle Award for nonfiction and provided an in-depth look at the legal system and how it works.
In the case that the movie is based on, Schlichtmann's firm sank $1.4 million into the case and mortgaged the homes of all the partners. Despite this, the trial ended with the jury ruling in favor of Beatrice. Schlichtmann's firm was left financially ruined, and he later filed for bankruptcy. However, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), using evidence uncovered during the trial, pursued its own enforcement actions against both corporations, resulting in multimillion-dollar cleanup settlements.
The movie 'A Civil Action' starred John Travolta as Jan Schlichtmann, the plaintiffs' lawyer, and Robert Duvall as Jerome Facher, the Beatrice Foods attorney. Other notable cast members included William H. Macy, Tony Shalhoub, Kathleen Quinlan, and John Lithgow.
