Some filmmakers make amazing movies, but not everyone knows them well unless you’re really into films. John Frankenheimer is one of those filmmakers.
Even though he made some classic movies like Birdman of Alcatraz, The Manchurian Candidate, The Train, and Grand Prix, not everyone recognizes his name.
He had a tough time commercially for a while, but then he came back strong with Ronin, a thrilling spy movie. Interestingly, the original ending of Ronin was different from what you see in theaters.
What is the Movie About?
Ronin is a thrilling spy movie based on a screenplay by David Mamet. It’s about a group of international operatives who team up to steal a mysterious briefcase.
Robert De Niro plays Sam, an American mercenary hired by the CIA for the job. Alongside him are characters like Deirdre, an IRA operative, Larry, an American agent, Vincent, a French gunman, and Gregor, a German computer expert.
Despite being action-packed, Ronin also weaves in emotional tension by developing a romantic subplot between Sam and Deirdre.
As they work together, Deirdre starts to trust Sam more, but Sam is under pressure because he’s working undercover and can’t reveal his true identity.
The plot thickens as loyalties shift among the spies, leading to tense moments where Sam must decide where his allegiances truly lie.
Ronin ends on a bit of uncertainty about what happens to the characters. After a big showdown with Seamus, who’s being hunted by the CIA, Sam and Vincent escape and stop his plans.
Deirdre, who was supposed to leave with Seamus, decides to stay after Sam tells her the truth about himself.
The movie closes with Sam and Vincent chatting in a restaurant, but Deirdre doesn’t show up.
Sam thinks he might never see her again. Even though there’s news of a peace deal on the radio, Deirdre’s fate remains a mystery, both to Sam and the audience.
The Alternate Ending Would Have Been Better
Frankenheimer had a different ending in mind for Ronin, which some viewers might not have liked. But this darker ending would have matched the movie’s gritty tone better.
Ronin shows how international politics can be fragile and how spy agencies use their agents without much care. Deirdre, despite being important, ends up just being a tool for the IRA.
Knowing her fate would change how we see the talk between Sam and Vincent, showing how their heroics might be pointless.
Even though Ronin did well and people liked it, it didn’t really revive Frankenheimer’s career. His next movie, Reindeer Games, was a flop and got bad reviews.
But Ronin did leave a mark on action movies, especially car chase scenes. Films like Baby Driver and Drive probably wouldn’t be the same without Ronin paving the way.
Why Did the Makers Change The Ending?
The ending of Ronin leaves Deirdre’s fate open for interpretation, allowing viewers to decide what happens to her after Seamus’ death.
However, Frankenheimer filmed two alternate endings to give a clearer idea of what might have happened to her.
In one, Deirdre decides not to join Sam and Vincent at the restaurant and is abducted and killed by IRA agents.
Frankenheimer thought the darker ending worked well, but test audiences didn’t like seeing Deirdre die.
Even though it was hinted that she wouldn’t have a happy life with Sam, her brutal death upset viewers who liked her character.
