Editing Cast Away

{{short description|2000 American survival drama film directed by Robert Zemeckis}}
{{About|the 2000 film|other uses|Castaway (disambiguation)}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox film
| name           = Cast Away
| image          = Cast away film poster.jpg
| caption        = Theatrical release poster
| director       = [[Robert Zemeckis]]
| producer       = {{plainlist|
* [[Steve Starkey]]
* [[Tom Hanks]]
* Robert Zemeckis
* [[Jack Rapke]]
}}
| writer         = [[William Broyles Jr.]]
| starring       = {{Plainlist|<!--Per poster billing-->
* Tom Hanks
* [[Helen Hunt]]
* [[Nick Searcy]]
}}
| music          = [[Alan Silvestri]]
| cinematography = [[Don Burgess (cinematographer)|Don Burgess]]
| editing        = [[Arthur Schmidt (film editor)|Arthur Schmidt]]
| studio         = {{plainlist|
* [[20th Century Fox]]
* [[DreamWorks Pictures]]
* [[ImageMovers]]
* [[Playtone]]
}}
| distributor    = {{plainlist|
* 20th Century Fox (United States and Canada)
* DreamWorks Pictures (International)
}}
| released       = {{Film date|2000|12|22}}
| runtime        = 144 minutes
| country        = United States
| language       = English
| budget         = $90&nbsp;million<ref name=mojo>{{cite web |url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=castaway.htm |title=Cast Away (2000) |website=Box Office Mojo |date=January 1, 2001 |access-date=January 10, 2015 |archive-date=September 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190910000605/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=castaway.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>
| gross          = $429.6&nbsp;million<ref name=mojo/>
}}

'''''Cast Away''''' is a 2000 American [[Survival film|survival]] [[Drama (film and television)|drama film]] directed and produced by [[Robert Zemeckis]] and starring [[Tom Hanks]], [[Helen Hunt]], and [[Nick Searcy]]. Hanks plays a [[FedEx]] [[Troubleshooting|troubleshooter]] who is stranded on a desert island after his plane crashes in the [[Pacific Ocean|South Pacific]], and the plot focuses on his desperate attempts to survive and return home. Initial filming took place from January to March 1999 before resuming in April 2000 and concluding in May.

''Cast Away'' was released on December 22, 2000, by [[20th Century Fox]] in the United States and Canada and by [[DreamWorks Pictures]] in other territories. It grossed $429.6&nbsp;million worldwide, making it the [[2000 in film#Highest-grossing films|third-highest-grossing film of 2000]]. The film received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised the screenplay and Hanks's performance, for which he won [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama|Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama]] at the [[58th Golden Globe Awards]] and was nominated for [[Academy Award for Best Actor|Best Actor in a Leading Role]] at the [[73rd Academy Awards]].<ref name="nytimes.com">{{cite news|last=Kehr|first=Dave|date=December 17, 2000|title='Cast Away' Director Defies Categorizing|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/12/17/movies/film-cast-away-director-defies-categorizing.html|access-date=October 18, 2012|archive-date=June 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180622140133/https://www.nytimes.com/2000/12/17/movies/film-cast-away-director-defies-categorizing.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Plot ==

In December 1995, Chuck Noland is a [[FedEx]] [[systems analyst]] who travels the world resolving productivity problems. He lives with his girlfriend, Kelly Frears in [[Memphis, Tennessee]]. The two talk of getting married but keep experiencing setbacks due to Chuck being constantly called away to work, which also starts to put a strain on their relationship. During a [[Christmas]] dinner, Chuck experiences pain due to an infected tooth, just before he is summoned to resolve a FedEx problem in [[Malaysia]]. Before leaving, Kelly gives Chuck her grandfather's [[pocket watch]] with a photo of her in it. He gives her a small box, saying she can wait to open it on New Year's Eve when he returns, implying it is an [[engagement ring]].

The FedEx cargo plane Chuck boards crashes into the [[Pacific Ocean]] during a violent storm, leaving him as the only survivor. Washing ashore on a deserted island, Chuck explores the area, discovering several FedEx packages washing up on the coast, as well as the body of one of the pilots, Albert Miller, which he buries. In the following days, Chuck struggles to locate food and water. After seeing a ship on the horizon, he unsuccessfully tries to escape the island on a life raft, but is prevented by the tide and injures his leg. Realizing it is unlikely he will be rescued, Chuck opens most of the packages, finding items he uses to improve his living conditions. However, he does not open a package with golden angel wings painted on it, thinking the wings have symbolic meaning. While attempting to [[Fire plough|start a fire]], Chuck cuts his hand and furiously throws several objects including a [[Wilson Sporting Goods|Wilson]] [[Volleyball (ball)|volleyball]], leaving a bloodstained handprint. He draws a face into the blood, names the ball Wilson and begins talking to it. Chuck realizes the chances of his rescue are low because of the wide search area. Due to severe pain from his infected tooth, he performs his own tooth extraction using a rock and an ice skate. The extraction is successful, but he passes out from the pain.

Four years later, Chuck, now bearded and disheveled, has adapted to life alone on the island. After a section from a [[portable toilet]] enclosure washes up, he begins constructing a [[raft]], which he successfully launches past the surf with Wilson, the unopened FedEx package and his belongings in tow. Chuck survives a storm, but afterward, Wilson falls off the raft and floats away. He unsuccessfully attempts to rescue Wilson and is left to grieve his loss. Soon after, he is rescued by a passing cargo ship.

Four weeks later, Chuck is returned to the mainland, where he learns he was [[Presumption of death|presumed dead]] by his family and friends. As he is given a hero's welcome at the FedEx headquarters in Memphis, he meets his dentist Jerry Lovett, who he discovers has married and had a daughter with Kelly. A homecoming party is held at Chuck's hotel room but Kelly is emotionally unable to greet him. Later that night, Chuck visits Kelly, where they bond for the last time; the two share a passionate kiss and confess their love for each other, but they both realize she cannot leave her family, and they part ways.  Chuck returns the pocket watch Kelly gave him, and she gives him back his [[Jeep Cherokee]] that she had kept after his disappearance.

Chuck drives to [[Texas]] to return the angel-winged package to the address of the sender. Finding no one home, he leaves it at the door with a note saying the package saved his life. He departs in his vehicle and stops at a [[Intersection (road)|crossroads]]. A woman in a pickup truck, headed in the direction of the house, stops and gives information about where each road leads. As she drives away, Chuck notices the same angel wings painted on the tailgate of her truck. He looks down each road, trying to decide which way to go, smiling as he finally faces the direction the truck went.

== Cast ==
{{Multiple image
| total_width = 500
| direction = horizontal
| align = right
| footer = (Left to right) [[Tom Hanks]] (pictured in 2019), [[Helen Hunt]] (2011), and [[Nick Searcy]] (2014)
| image1 = Tom_Hanks_TIFF_2019.jpg
| alt1 = A photograph of Tom Hanks
| image2 = Helen_Hunt_face.jpg
| alt2 = A photograph of Helen Hunt
| image3 = Nick_Searcy_2013_(cropped).jpg
| alt3 =  A photograph of Nick Searcy
}}
{{div col|colwidth=40em}}
* [[Tom Hanks]] as Chuck Noland, a FedEx systems analyst
* [[Helen Hunt]] as Kelly Frears, Chuck's girlfriend
* [[Nick Searcy]] as Stan, Chuck's best friend and co-worker
* [[Jenifer Lewis]] as Becca Twig
* [[Geoffrey Blake (actor)|Geoffrey Blake]] as Maynard Graham
* Peter Von Berg as Yuri
* [[Chris Noth]] as Dr. Gerald "Jerry" Lovett, a dentist who is later Kelly's husband
* [[Lari White]] as Bettina Peterson, the woman who sent the unopened FedEx package
* [[Vince Martin (actor)|Vince Martin]] as Pilot Albert "Al" Miller, a FedEx pilot who is buried by Chuck on the island
* [[Michael Forest]] as Pilot Jack
* [[Jay Acovone]] as Pilot Peter
* Garret Davis as Pilot Blaine
* [[Viveka Davis]] as Pilot Gwen
* [[Nan Martin]] as Kelly's mother
* [[Dennis Letts]] as Dennis Larson
* [[Valerie Wildman]] as Virginia Larson
* [[Steve Monroe]] as Steve Larson
* [[Elden Henson]] as Elden Madden
* [[Timothy Stack]] as Morgan Stockton
* [[Joe Conley]] as Joe Wally
* [[Frederick W. Smith|Fred Smith]] as himself
<!-- Do not add Wilson, volleyball, Wilson Volley Ball, or any variant thereof to this cast list. The ball is an inanimate object. Thank you. -->
{{div col end}}

== Production ==
=== Development ===
In a 2017 Actor Roundtable with ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'', Tom Hanks stated<ref name=HR>{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/features/actor-roundtable-tom-hanks-james-franco-more-predators-everywhere-secrets-legends-1062062 |title=Actor Roundtable: Tom Hanks, James Franco and More on 'Predators Everywhere' and Secrets of 'Legends' |first=Stephen |last=Galloway |date=November 30, 2017 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=December 8, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181004204803/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/features/actor-roundtable-tom-hanks-james-franco-more-predators-everywhere-secrets-legends-1062062 |archive-date=October 4, 2018}}</ref>
{{blockquote
|quote=I made ''Cast Away'' because I wanted to examine the concept of four years of hopelessness, in which you have none of the requirements for living—food, water, shelter, fire and company. But it took us six years to put together the alliance that would actually examine that. I only had a third of it, and [[William Broyles Jr.|Bill Broyles]] only had a third of it, until [[Robert Zemeckis|Bob Zemeckis]] comes along and provided that other third. I had that original idea. I was reading an article about [[FedEx]], and I realized that [[Boeing 747|747s]] filled with packages fly across the Pacific three times a day. And I just thought, "What happens if that goes down?"
|source=Tom Hanks in 2017<ref name=HR/>}}

=== Filming ===
[[File:Monuriki 06.JPG|thumb|right|The island of Monuriki]]
The film was not shot chronologically. It began on January 18, 1999, before halting two months later. Filming resumed on April 3, 2000, and finished the following month. Hanks gained {{convert|50|lb|kg}} during pre-production, for the purpose of making his transformation more dramatic. After most of the film was shot, production was paused so he could lose the weight and grow his hair and beard to look like he had been living on the island for years. Another four-month production halt preceded the filming of the return scenes. During the year-long hiatus, Zemeckis used the same film crew to make another film, ''[[What Lies Beneath]]''.<ref name="nytimes.com"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/61089-CAST-AWAY|title=Cast Away|publisher=American Film Institute|access-date=March 26, 2021|archive-date=September 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914122359/https://catalog.afi.com/Film/61089-CAST-AWAY|url-status=live}}</ref> While the film was in production, Hanks nearly died when he suffered an infected cut on his leg. He was rushed to a local hospital to undergo surgery and stayed there for three days. Filming of ''Cast Away'' was suspended for three weeks to allow Hanks to recover from the injury.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/tom-hanks-revealed-he-almost-died-while-filming-this-movie-we-had-to-shut-down-for-3-weeks.html/ | title=Hanks 'almost died' filming 'Cast Away' | first=Jack | last=Klompus | work=[[Digital Spy]] | date=May 17, 2009}}</ref> Filming lasted for sixteen months.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=108073&page=1 | title=Tom Hanks Talks 'Cast Away' | website=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] }}</ref>

''Cast Away'' was filmed on [[Monuriki]], one of the [[Mamanuca Islands]] in [[Fiji]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Miller|first1=Korina|last2=Jones|first2=Robyn|last3=Pinheiro|first3=Leonardo|title=Fiji|edition=Sixth|format=paperback|date=December 2003|publisher=[[Lonely Planet]]|isbn=1-74059-134-8|page=[https://archive.org/details/fiji00kori_0/page/54 54]|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/fiji00kori_0/page/54}}</ref> It is in a subgroup of the Mamanuca [[archipelago]], which is sited off the coast of [[Viti Levu]], Fiji's largest island. The island [[Setjetting|became a tourist attraction]] after the film's release.  After Chuck's return, it is identified by Kelly as being "about {{convert|600|mi|km|disp=sqbr}} south of the [[Cook Islands]]," but there is no land between the southernmost Cook Islands of [[Mangaia]] and [[Antarctica]].

The film begins and ends in the same location, on the Arrington Ranch in the [[Texas Panhandle]] south of the city of [[Canadian, Texas]].<ref name="Cyclone">{{cite news | url=http://swco.ttu.edu/WestTexas/indexes/CycloneAugust%2007.pdf | title=Cast Away and the Texas Panhandle | publisher=West Texas Historical Association | work=The Cyclone | volume=XIV | issue=2 | date=August 2007 | access-date=January 2, 2015 | author=Carlson, Paul | pages=1–2 | archive-date=December 19, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151219023645/http://swco.ttu.edu/WestTexas/indexes/CycloneAugust%2007.pdf | url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Music ===
The film's minimal score was composed and conducted by [[Alan Silvestri]] for which he won a [[Grammy Award]] in 2002. The film's soundtrack is most notable for its lack of score and creature sound effects (such as bird song or insect sounds) while Chuck is on the island, which is intended to reinforce the feeling of isolation.<ref>''Cast Away'' DVD director's commentary</ref> ''Cast Away'' contains no original musical score until Chuck escapes the island. However, there is a Russian choral piece heard near the start of the film that was not composed or even recorded by Silvestri, so it does not appear on the film's soundtrack list. It is a traditional Russian song written by [[Lev Knipper]] called "Oh, My Field" [[Polyushko-polye|("Polyushko, Polye")]] and it is available on various collections of Red Army hymns.

The official soundtrack CD is an [[anthology]] of musical pieces from all the films up to that point that were both directed by Zemeckis and scored by Silvestri. The only track from ''Cast Away'' itself is the theme from the end credits.<ref>{{cite web | title=Cast Away: The Films of Robert Zemeckis and the Music of Alan Silvestri | url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r514838|pure_url=yes}} |website=allmusic |access-date=June 2, 2009}}</ref>

The ''Cast Away'' soundtrack consists of 10 tracks, with performers including [[Elvis Presley]], [[Chuck Berry]], and [[Charles Brown (musician)|Charles Brown]].<ref>{{Citation|title=Cast Away (2000) - IMDb|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0162222/soundtrack|access-date=2021-11-18|archive-date=November 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211125112521/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0162222/soundtrack|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== FedEx ===
FedEx provided access to their facilities (Memphis, Los Angeles, and Moscow) as well as airplanes, trucks, uniforms, and logistical support. A team of FedEx marketers oversaw production through more than two years of filming.<ref>{{cite news |title='Cast Away' Delivers Goods For Fedex |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2001/01/08/cast-away-delivers-goods-for-fedex/ |work=Chicago Tribune |year=2001 |access-date=October 23, 2014 |archive-date=February 24, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140224020752/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2001-01-08/features/0101080173_1_fedex-spokeswoman-product-placement-fedex-corp |url-status=live }}</ref> FedEx CEO [[Frederick W. Smith|Fred Smith]] made an appearance as himself for the scene where Chuck is welcomed back, which was filmed on location at FedEx's home facilities in Memphis, Tennessee. The idea of a story based on a FedEx plane crashing gave the company "a heart attack at first", but the overall story was seen as positive. FedEx, which paid no money for [[product placement]] in the film,<ref>{{cite news|title=Stranded: Behind-the-Scenes of Cast Away, A comprehensive behind-the-scenes look at Cast Away |url=http://stumpedmagazine.com/Articles/stranded.html |work=Stumped Magazine |year=2004 |access-date=December 27, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716160557/http://stumpedmagazine.com/Articles/stranded.html |archive-date=July 16, 2011 }}</ref> saw an increase in [[brand awareness]] in Asia and Europe following the film's release.<ref>{{cite news|title=A look at some of the biggest hits in film and TV product placement|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/film/feature_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000901395 | work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=April 28, 2005|access-date=November 25, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060903172648/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/film/feature_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000901395|archive-date=September 3, 2006 }}</ref>

=== Wilson the volleyball ===
[[File:Wilson The Volleyball.jpg|thumb|right|Wilson the volleyball]]
In the film, Wilson the [[Volleyball (ball)|volleyball]] serves as Chuck Noland's [[personification|personified]] [[imaginary friend|friend]] and only companion during the four years that Noland spends alone on a deserted [[island]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=DTNB&s_site=detnews&f_site=detnews&f_sitename=Detroit+News%2C+The+%28MI%29&p_multi=DTNB&p_theme=gannett&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0F7502916F603973&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|title=''Cast Away'' lets Hanks fend for himself|access-date=November 26, 2008|work=[[Detroit News]]|date=December 22, 2000|archive-date=June 8, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608193150/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=DTNB&s_site=detnews&f_site=detnews&f_sitename=Detroit+News,+The+(MI)&p_multi=DTNB&p_theme=gannett&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0F7502916F603973&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SDGB&p_theme=sdgb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=1110F27098BA70F3&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|title=''Cast Away'' proves great films still exist|access-date=November 26, 2008|work=[[Daily Gazette]]|date=January 7, 2001|author=Nate Smith|archive-date=June 8, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608193206/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SDGB&p_theme=sdgb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=1110F27098BA70F3&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="BLFJ">{{cite web|url=http://www.brightlightsfilm.com/62/62castaway.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130118143419/http://www.brightlightsfilm.com/62/62castaway.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 18, 2013|title=The Volleyball in the Void|access-date=November 26, 2008|first=Alan|last=Vanneman|work=Bright Lights Film Journal}}</ref> Named after the volleyball's manufacturer, [[Wilson Sporting Goods]], the character was created by screenwriter [[William Broyles Jr.]] While researching for the film, he consulted with professional survival experts, and then chose to deliberately strand himself for one week on an isolated beach in the [[Gulf of California]], to force himself to search for water and food, and obtain his own shelter. During this time, a Wilson-branded soccer ball washed up on shore, providing the inspiration for the film's inanimate companion. When the idea was presented to Tom Hanks, he happily agreed on the volleyball as a memento to his wife, Rita Wilson, knowing he would be away from home for a long period of time for filming.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The True Story of Wilson the Volleyball |url=https://www.wilson.com/en-us/blog/volleyball/behind-scenes/true-story-wilson-volleyball |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20230327134438/https://www.wilson.com/en-us/blog/volleyball/behind-scenes/true-story-wilson-volleyball |archive-date=2023-03-27 |access-date=2025-05-02 |website=www.wilson.com |language=en}}</ref> From a screenwriting point of view, Wilson also serves to realistically allow dialogue to take place in a solitary scenario.<ref name="hepola">{{cite web |last=Hepola |first=Sarah |date=December 29, 2000 |url=http://www.austinchronicle.com/screens/2000-12-29/79994/ |title=Lost at Sea and Back Again |work=[[The Austin Chronicle]] |access-date=September 28, 2012 |archive-date=May 3, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120503054258/http://www.austinchronicle.com/screens/2000-12-29/79994/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=latimes>{{cite news|last1=Natale|first1=Richard|title=Casting About|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2000/dec/20/entertainment/ca-2136/2|access-date=April 9, 2015|work=Los Angeles Times|date=December 20, 2000|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150418162919/http://articles.latimes.com/2000/dec/20/entertainment/ca-2136/2|archive-date=April 18, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

It is rumored, but not confirmed,<ref>{{cite web |last=VanHooker |first=Brian |title=What Would Have Happened to Wilson After |date=April 17, 2020 |url=http://melmagazine.com/en-us/story/what-would-have-happened-to-wilson-after-cast-away |access-date=April 29, 2021 |archive-date=May 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501041133/https://melmagazine.com/en-us/story/what-would-have-happened-to-wilson-after-cast-away |url-status=live }}</ref> that one of the original volleyball props was sold at auction for $18,500 to the ex-CEO of [[FedEx Office]], [[Ken May]]. At the time of the film's release, Wilson launched its own joint promotion centered on its products "co-starring" with Tom Hanks. Wilson manufactured a volleyball with a reproduction of the bloodied handprint face on one side. It was sold for a limited time during the film's initial release and continues to be offered on the company's website.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wilson.com/en-us/volleyball/balls/outdoor-volleyball/cast-away-volleyball/|title=Wilson Cast Away Volleyball|access-date=April 27, 2014|publisher=Wilson Sporting Goods|archive-date=April 28, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140428022633/http://www.wilson.com/en-us/volleyball/balls/outdoor-volleyball/cast-away-volleyball/|url-status=live}}</ref> A screen-matched original Wilson the volleyball prop sold via [[Heritage Auctions]] on December 7, 2024 for $162,500.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://entertainment.ha.com/itm/movie-tv-memorabilia/props/cast-away-dreamworks-2000-tom-hanks-chuck-noland-hero-screen-matched-wilson-prop-character/a/7388-89134.s?ic4=GalleryView-ShortDescription-071515|title=Cast Away (DreamWorks, 2000), Tom Hanks "Chuck Noland" Hero Screen Matched "Wilson" Prop Character|access-date=December 11, 2024|publisher=Heritage Auctions}}</ref>

== Reception ==
=== Box office ===
''Cast Away'' opened in 2,774 theaters in North America and grossed $28.9&nbsp;million (an average of $10,412 per theater) in its opening weekend.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/?view=&yr=2000&wknd=51&p=.htm|title=Weekend Box Office Results for December 22-24, 2000|work=Box Office Mojo|access-date=April 9, 2015|archive-date=June 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190620015439/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/?view=&yr=2000&wknd=51&p=.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> For the four-day [[Christmas]] long holiday weekend, it took in a total of $39.9&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/?view=&yr=2000&wknd=51a&p=.htm|title=Weekend Box Office Results for December 22-25, 2000|work=Box Office Mojo|access-date=April 9, 2015|archive-date=September 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924162115/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/?view=&yr=2000&wknd=51a&p=.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> At that point, it had the highest Christmas opening weekend of any film, surpassing ''[[Patch Adams (film)|Patch Adams]]''.<ref>{{cite news |last=Germain |first=David |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-journal-cast-away-sails-to-t/131171718/ |title='Cast Away' sails to top of debut list
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926164633/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-journal-cast-away-sails-to-t/131171718/ |date=December 27, 2000 |access-date=September 26, 2023 |archive-date=September 26, 2023 |page=10 |work=The Associated Press |publisher=[[Daily Journal (Franklin, Indiana)|The Daily Journal]] |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref> Upon opening, ''Cast Away'' reached the number one spot at the box office, beating another [[Helen Hunt]] film, ''[[What Women Want]]''. It would also compete against ''[[How the Grinch  Stole Christmas (2000 film)|How the Grinch Stole Christmas]]'', which was released the previous month.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108645434/cast-away-sails-to-top-of-box-office/ |title='Cast Away' sails to top of box office |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220831190334/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108645434/cast-away-sails-to-top-of-box-office/ |date=December 25, 2000 |access-date=August 31, 2022 |archive-date=August 31, 2022 |page=2 |publisher=[[Daily Press (Virginia)|Daily Press]] |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref> With a total gross of $8.5 million, ''Cast Away'' held the record for having the biggest [[New Year's Eve]] gross until ''[[Meet the Fockers]]'' took it in 2004.<ref>{{cite web |last=Gray |first=Brandon |date=January 3, 2005 |title='Fockers' Meets Christmas Records |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/article/ed2188772356/ |access-date=May 14, 2023 |website=Box Office Mojo |archive-date=May 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230514200855/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/article/ed2188772356/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The film remained at the top of the box office for three weeks until it was overtaken by ''[[Save the Last Dance]]''.<ref>{{cite news |last=Germain |first=David |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108645239/save-the-last-dance-shows-off-no-1/ |title='Save the Last Dance' shows off No. 1 moves |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220831145945/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108645239/save-the-last-dance-shows-off-no-1/ |date=January 17, 2001 |access-date=August 31, 2022 |archive-date=August 31, 2022 |page=13 |work=AP Movie Writer |publisher=[[The Danville News]] |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref> ''Cast Away'' kept performing well and ended up earning $233.6&nbsp;million domestically and $196&nbsp;million internationally, for a total of $429.6&nbsp;million, against its production budget of $90&nbsp;million. It became the [[2000 in film#Highest-grossing films|third-highest-grossing film of 2000]], behind ''[[Mission: Impossible 2]]'' and ''[[Gladiator (2000 film)|Gladiator]]''.<ref name=mojo/>

=== Critical response ===
On [[Rotten Tomatoes]], ''Cast Away'' holds an approval rating of 88% based on 156 reviews, with an average rating of 7.40/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "Flawed but fascinating, ''Cast Away'' offers an intelligent script, some of Robert Zemeckis' most mature directing, and a showcase performance from Tom Hanks."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/cast_away|title=Cast Away (2000)|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|access-date=March 3, 2025|archive-date=December 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201224073838/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/cast_away|url-status=live}}</ref> On [[Metacritic]], the film has a [[weighted average]] score of 73 out of 100 based on reviews from 32 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/movie/cast-away|title=Cast Away|work=Metacritic|access-date=April 9, 2015|archive-date=December 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208054815/https://www.metacritic.com/movie/cast-away|url-status=live}}</ref> Audiences polled by [[CinemaScore]] gave the film an average grade of "B" on an A+ to F scale.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cinemascore.com|title=Find CinemaScore|format=Type "Cast Away" in the search box|publisher=[[CinemaScore]]|access-date=July 25, 2020|archive-date=January 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180102130540/https://www.cinemascore.com/|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Roger Ebert]] of the ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'' gave the film three stars out of four. In his review, he praised Hanks for doing "a superb job of carrying ''Cast Away'' all by himself for about two-thirds of its running time" by "never straining for effect, always persuasive even in this unlikely situation, winning our sympathy with his eyes and his body language when there's no one else on the screen." However, he also mentioned how he felt that the film is "a strong and simple story surrounded by needless complications, and flawed by a last act that disappoints us and then ends on a note of forced whimsy."<ref>{{Citation|title=Cast Away movie review and film summary (Roger Ebert)|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/cast-away-2000|language=en|access-date=2021-06-14|archive-date=May 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510144930/https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/cast-away-2000|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Accolades ===
{|class=wikitable style=font-size:100%
!width=20%|Organizations
!width=14%|Category
!width=12%|Nominee
!width=10%|Result
|-
!scope="row" rowspan="2" | [[73rd Academy Awards|2001 Academy Awards]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oscars.org/awards/academyawards/legacy/ceremony/73rd-winners.html |title=The 73rd Academy Awards (2001) Nominees and Winners |access-date=November 19, 2011 |publisher=[[Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120414130003/http://www.oscars.org/awards/academyawards/legacy/ceremony/73rd-winners.html |archive-date=April 14, 2012 }}</ref>
| [[Academy Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]]
| [[Tom Hanks]]
| {{Nom}}
|-
| [[Academy Award for Best Sound|Best Sound]]
| [[Randy Thom]], [[Tom Johnson (sound engineer)|Tom Johnson]], [[Dennis S. Sands]] and [[William B. Kaplan]]
| {{Nom}}
|-
!scope="row"| [[54th British Academy Film Awards|2001 BAFTA Awards]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://cjonline.com/stories/022601/new_britawards.shtml|title='Gladiator' Gets 5 British Awards|agency=Associated Press|first=Matt|last=Wolf|date=February 26, 2001|access-date=October 9, 2013|work=Topeka Capital-Journal|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170109184339/http://cjonline.com/stories/022601/new_britawards.shtml|archive-date=January 9, 2017|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
| [[BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role|Best Film Actor in a Leading Role]]
| Tom Hanks
| {{Nom}}
|-
!scope="row"| [[6th Critics' Choice Awards|2001 Critics' Choice Awards]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bfca.org/ccawards/2000.php |title=The 6th Critics' Choice Movie Awards Winners and Nominees |publisher=Broadcast Film Critics Association|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120104213601/http://www.bfca.org/ccawards/2000.php |archive-date=January 4, 2012}}</ref>
| Best Inanimate Object
| Wilson
| {{Won}}
|-
!scope="row"| [[58th Golden Globe Awards|2001 Golden Globe Awards]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-426584.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105233324/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-426584.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 5, 2013|title=A 'Gladiator's' Triumph; 'Famous,' Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts Also Win Golden Globes|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |first=Anthony |last=Breznican|date=January 22, 2001|access-date=October 9, 2013 |url-access=subscription }}</ref>
| [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama|Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama]]
| Tom Hanks
| {{Won}}
|-
!scope="row" rowspan="4" | [[2001 MTV Movie Awards]]
| [[MTV Movie Award for Best Action Sequence|Best Action Sequence in a Movie]]
| Plane crash
| {{Nom}}
|-
| [[MTV Movie Award for Best Kiss|Best Kiss in a Movie]]
| Tom Hanks and [[Helen Hunt]]
| {{Nom}}
|-
| [[MTV Movie Award for Best On-Screen Duo|Best On-Screen Duo or Team in a Movie]]
| Tom Hanks and Wilson
| {{Nom}}
|-
| [[MTV Movie Award for Best Performance|Best Performance in a Movie]]
| Tom Hanks
| {{Nom}}
|-
!scope="row"| [[7th Screen Actors Guild Awards|2001 Screen Actors Guild Awards]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-69760225.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111045122/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-69760225.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 11, 2013|title=SAG might shake up Oscar field|work=[[The Boston Herald]]|first=Stephen|last= Schaefer|date=January 31, 2001|access-date=October 9, 2013 |url-access=subscription }}</ref>
| [[Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role|Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role in a Motion Picture]]
| Tom Hanks
| {{Nom}}
|-
!scope="row"| [[44th Annual Grammy Awards|2002 Grammy Awards]]
| [[Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Composition|Best Instrumental Composition]]
| [[Alan Silvestri]] (for "''Cast Away'' End Credits")
| {{Won}}
|-
|}

==Home media==
''Cast Away'' was released on [[VHS]] and [[DVD]] on June 12, 2001, by [[20th Century Fox Home Entertainment]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hettrick |first=Scott |date=April 2, 2001 |title='Cast' sails to vidstores |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |url=https://variety.com/2001/digital/features/cast-sails-to-vidstores-1117796215/ |access-date=April 8, 2023}}</ref> The DVD version of the film is a [[THX]] certified two-disc Special Edition release that features a [[DTS, Inc.|DTS]] 6.1 ES audio track and several bonus features, including galleries, special effects vignettes, audio commentary, trailers, TV spots, behind-the-scenes footage, interviews, featurettes and more.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dvdmg.com/castaway.shtml|title=Cast Away (2000) - DVD Movie Guide}}</ref> It became the fastest-selling DVD release in [[20th Century Fox]] history, selling 1.8 million copies and surpassing ''[[X-Men (film)|X-Men]]''. Additionally, the film generated $5.5 million in rentals, which broke ''[[Traffic (2000 film)|Traffic]]''{{'}}s record for having the highest DVD rentals.<ref name="WashesRecord">{{cite news |last=Gray |first=Brandon |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/106806640/cast-away-dvd-washes-up-with-record/ |title='Cast Away' DVD washes up with record business |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220802164135/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/106806640/cast-away-dvd-washes-up-with-record/ |date=June 24, 2001 |access-date=August 2, 2022 |archive-date=August 2, 2022 |page=55 |publisher=[[The Journal News]] |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref> ''Cast Away'' went on to hold this record until 2002 when it was taken by ''[[The Fast and the Furious (2001 film)|The Fast and the Furious]]''.<ref>{{cite news |last=Gray |first=Brandon |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/106806544/the-fast-and-the-furious-accelerates/ |title='The Fast and the Furious' accelerates DVD sales |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220802163824/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/106806544/the-fast-and-the-furious-accelerates/ |date=January 18, 2002 |access-date=August 2, 2022 |archive-date=August 2, 2022 |page=37 |publisher=[[Argus Leader]] |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref> In total, the film made $57 million in home video sales and $20.6 million in home video rentals during its first week of release.<ref name="WashesRecord" /> It had the second-highest first week home video rentals of any film, behind ''[[Meet the Parents]]'', as well as third-highest rentals overall, after the latter film and ''[[The Sixth Sense]]''.<ref name="WashesRecord" />

A single-disc DVD version of the film was released alongside ''[[Independence Day (1996 film)|Independence Day]]'' on May 21, 2002.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107617837/after-deluxe-release-flicks-will-go-to/ |title=After deluxe release, flicks will go to single disc |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815023746/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107617837/after-deluxe-release-flicks-will-go-to/ |newspaper=[[The Courier-Journal]] |page=51 |date=May 18, 2002 |access-date=August 15, 2022 |archive-date=August 15, 2022 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref>

The film was released on [[Blu-ray Disc]] on December 4, 2007.

== In popular culture ==
A [[FedEx]] commercial during [[Super Bowl XXXVII]] parodied the final scene of the film, in which Chuck Noland returns a package to its sender. In this version, the woman answers the door, and when Noland asks what was in the box, the woman replies: "Just a [[satellite phone]], [[GPS navigation device|GPS locator]], [[fishing rod]], [[water purifier]], and some [[seed]]s. Just silly stuff."<ref name="CNNMoney">{{cite web |date=January 27, 2003 |title=Why no matches in the FedEx box?: FedEx parody commercial makes deliberate decision not to help provide fire to its own castaway |url=https://money.cnn.com/2003/01/27/news/companies/superbowl_fedex/index.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120728032451/http://money.cnn.com/2003/01/27/news/companies/superbowl_fedex/index.htm |archive-date=July 28, 2012 |access-date=March 4, 2012 |website=[[CNN]] |publisher=}}</ref>

Media executive [[Lloyd Braun]] of [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] first suggested the idea of a ''Cast Away''–type television series at a dinner party in 2003.<ref name="chicagomag.com">{{cite news|title=Cast Away|url=http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/August-2007/Cast-Away/index.php?cp=2&si=1|work=[[Chicago (magazine)|Chicago]]|date=August 2007|access-date=December 27, 2008|archive-date=October 29, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121029091018/http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/August-2007/Cast-Away/index.php?cp=2&si=1|url-status=dead}}</ref> Thom Sherman later pitched the idea for ''Cast Away – The Series'', but never developed the idea.<ref name="chicagomag.com" /> The concept was later developed and pitched with the title ''Nowhere'', which later turned into the ABC show ''[[Lost (2004 TV series)|Lost]]''.<ref name="chicagomag.com" />

The second episode of the seventh season of ''[[It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia]]'', "The Gang Goes to the Jersey Shore" refers to a ''Cast Away'' scene. When Frank loses his "rum ham" while floating on a raft in the Atlantic Ocean, his anguish resembles that of Tom Hanks' character losing a volleyball he named "Wilson."<ref>{{Citation|title=IASIP - Rum Ham - The whole Story| date=October 30, 2016 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bM7hr0MwFOE |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/bM7hr0MwFOE| archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live|language=en|access-date=2021-03-22}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

On December 31, 2002, at [[Madison Square Garden]], [[Phish]] played a clip from the film on the jumbotron to introduce their song "Wilson" during their concert. They later introduced "Tom Hanks" during the song onstage, but it was later revealed to be keyboardist [[Page McConnell]]'s brother Steve.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Tom Hanks joins reunited Phish on stage|url=https://ew.com/article/2003/01/02/tom-hanks-joins-reunited-phish-stage/|access-date=2021-09-23|website=EW.com|language=en|archive-date=November 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125030149/https://ew.com/article/2003/01/02/tom-hanks-joins-reunited-phish-stage/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=How Phish Phooled with a Phake Hanks|url=https://people.com/celebrity/how-phish-phooled-with-a-phake-hanks/|access-date=2021-09-23|website=people.com|language=en|archive-date=January 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101020015/https://people.com/celebrity/how-phish-phooled-with-a-phake-hanks/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On April 15, 2022, at [[Progressive Field]], Tom Hanks threw the [[ceremonial first pitch]] at the [[Cleveland Guardians]] home opener, accompanied by a replica of Wilson from the movie.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-15 |title=Watch: Tom Hanks throws first pitch at Guardians home opener |url=https://fox8.com/news/tom-hanks-arriving-in-cleveland-ahead-of-first-pitch-at-guardians-home-opener/ |access-date=2022-04-16 |website=Fox 8 Cleveland WJW |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=April 16, 2022 |first=Nicholas |last=Rice |title=Tom Hanks Brings Out Cast Away Costar Wilson for First Pitch at Cleveland Guardians Game |url=https://people.com/movies/tom-hanks-cast-away-costar-wilson-volleyball-baseball-game-first-pitch/ |access-date=2022-04-16 |website=people.com |language=en}}</ref>

[[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]] raced with a Wilson replica in his car to two victories in the fall of 2001 at Dover and Talladega. This was due to a joke on the radio that he felt lonely in the car during a race.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/rpm/wc/2001/0928/1256578.html |title=Junior not alone in the driver's seat |access-date=2024-03-19| website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
{{wikiquote|Cast Away}}
* {{IMDb title|0162222|Cast Away}}
* {{rotten-tomatoes|cast_away|Cast Away}}
* {{Metacritic film|title=Cast Away}}
* {{mojo title|castaway|Cast Away}}

{{Robert Zemeckis}}
{{Tom Hanks}}
{{FedEx}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cast Away}}
[[Category:2000 drama films]]
[[Category:2000 films]]
[[Category:2000s adventure drama films]]
[[Category:2000s American films]]
[[Category:2000s English-language films]]
[[Category:20th Century Fox films]]
[[Category:American adventure drama films]]
[[Category:American Christmas films]]
[[Category:American survival films]]
[[Category:CJ Entertainment films]]
[[Category:DreamWorks Pictures films]]
[[Category:English-language adventure drama films]]
[[Category:Fiction about FedEx]]
[[Category:Films about aviation accidents or incidents]]
[[Category:Films about castaways]]
[[Category:Films about postal systems]]
[[Category:Films about sole survivors]]
[[Category:Films directed by Robert Zemeckis]]
[[Category:Films featuring a Best Drama Actor Golden Globe winning performance]]
[[Category:Films produced by Robert Zemeckis]]
[[Category:Films produced by Tom Hanks]]
[[Category:Films scored by Alan Silvestri]]
[[Category:Films set in 1995]]
[[Category:Films set in 1999]]
[[Category:Films set in 2000]]
[[Category:Films set in Memphis, Tennessee]]
[[Category:Films set in Oceania]]
[[Category:Films set on beaches]]
[[Category:Films set on uninhabited islands]]
[[Category:Films shot in Fiji]]
[[Category:Films shot in Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Films shot in Russia]]
[[Category:Films shot in Tennessee]]
[[Category:Films shot in Texas]]
[[Category:ImageMovers films]]
[[Category:Playtone films]]
[[Category:Teen Choice Award winning films]]
[[Category:Robinsonades]]