Sommersby

Sommersby is a 1993 American romantic period drama film directed by Jon Amiel from a screenplay written by Nicholas Meyer and Sarah Kernochan. The film stars Richard Gere and Jodie Foster in the lead roles. Bill Pullman, James Earl Jones, Clarice Taylor, Frankie Faison, and R. Lee Ermey are featured in supporting roles. Set in the Reconstruction period following the U.S. Civil War, the story is adapted from the historical account of 16th century French peasant Martin Guerre. In the film, John (Gere) is presumed dead after he fails to return from the Civil War. His wife, Laurel (Foster), is set to marry her neighbour, Orin Meacham (Pullman), but John mysteriously returns after six years. Sommersby was released in the United States on February 5, 1993, by Warner Bros. The film received generally positive reviews from critics who praised the performances and chemistry of its lead actors as well as the musical score although the ending received some criticism. It was a commercial success grossing $140 million, worldwide on a budget of $30 million.