Total Recall
Science Fiction
Artisan  (1990) 113 mins R

7.4 (55,897 votes)
From the moment Douglas Quaid {Arnold Schwarzenegger} is strapped into an elaborate device at Rekall Inc. for a "virtual vacation" on Mars, director Paul Verhoeven leads you down two separate paths: is this all happening in Quaid's mind (as Rekall Inc. has promised)... or has something gone horribly wrong in reality? Quaid's vacation on Mars becomes an action/adventure involving the sinister Vilos Cohaagen's {Ronny Cox} financially motivated plot to control the oxygen supply of Mars; his wife Lori {Sharon Stone} who is suddenly trying to kill him; and the unbelievable discovery that he (Quaid) used to be some kind of spy named Hauser, and Cohaagen has assassins after him. Reality and fantasy become indistinguishable from each other, both for Quaid/Hauser and the viewer, as Quaid pursues his dream of being a superhero who can save an entire planet....

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Cast and Crew
Arnold Schwarzenegger  ......  Douglas Quaid Hauser / Brubaker
Marshall Bell  ......  George / Kuato
Roy Brocksmith  ......  Dr. Edgemar
Ray Baker  ......  Bob McClane
Michael Champion  ......  Helm
Ronny Cox  ......  Vilos Cohaagen
Director  .....  Paul Verhoeven
Producer  .....  Ronald Shusett; Mario Kassar; Buzz Feitshans; Robert Fentress
Writer  .....  Ronald Shusett; Gary Goldman; Dan O'Bannon; Philip K. Dick
Cinematography  .....  Jost Vacano
Musician  .....  Jerry Goldsmith; Bruno Louchouarn
Notes
Goofs:
Revealing mistakes: During the reactor elevator scene when Richter's arms are disembodied and he falls down, Quaid holds the remaining arms and says "See you at the party Richter!". When he throws the arms off the elevator in the far shot, you see the arms fall behind the platform of the elevator, but however you do not see them fall past the platform and instead just disappear. (more)

Trivia:
Both the adaptation of the screenplay (written by Piers Anthony) and early drafts of the script had the main character's name as Douglas Quail. The original Philip K. Dick story has the name Quail as well. The film was being made during the Bush administration, with Dan Quayle as Vice President and it is presumed that this was the reason for the change. (more)

Filming Locations:
Estudios Churubusco Azteca, Mexico City, México D.F., Mexico (more)

Quotes:
[first lines]
[Doug awakens from a nightmare]
Lori: Doug? Honey, are you all right?
[nods]
Lori: You were dreaming. Doug? Was it about Mars?
[nods]
Lori: [kisses him] Is that better?
Douglas Quaid: Hmm.
Lori: My poor baby. This is getting to be an obsession.
(more)

Awards:
Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 5 wins & 13 nominations (more)