Cutter's Way
“Cutter does everything his way. Fighting. Loving. Working. Tracking down a killer.”
Synopsis
Alex Cutter is a boozy, belligerent and deeply cynical Vietnam veteran whose encounter with a landmine during the war has left him minus an eye, a leg and an arm. When his drifter playboy friend Richard Bone is falsely accused of murder, Cutter sets out for revenge in his own inimitable style.
Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes
Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.
Radiance TrailerOfficial
Type: Trailer • Published 2026-03-03
Top Cast
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Jeff Bridges
Richard Bone
John Heard
Alex Cutter
Lisa Eichhorn
Maureen Cutter, 'Mo'
Stephen Elliott
J. J. Cord
Arthur Rosenberg
George Swanson
Nina van Pallandt
Woman in the Hotel
Ann Dusenberry
Valerie Duran
Patricia Donahue
Mrs. Cord
Geraldine Baron
Susie Swanson
Katherine Pass
Toyota Woman
Francis X. McCarthy
Toyota Man
George Planco
Toyota Cop
Jay Fletcher
Cord Security Guard
George Dickerson
Mortician
Jack Murdock
Concession Owner
Essex Smith
Black #1
Rod Gist
Black #2
Leonard Lightfoot
Black #3
Release History & Theatrical Window
Venice Film Festival
Festival / Special Debut
March 19, 1981
Wide Cinema Exhibition
April 15, 1986
Physical Home Media
Financials & Box Office Performance
Production Budget
$3M
Filming & production cost
Worldwide Gross
Pending
Total global ticket sales
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Ivan Passer
- Screenplay & Story
- Jeffrey Alan Fiskin
- Original Score
- Jack Nitzsche
- Original Title
- Cutter's Way
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 49m
- Production Budget
- $3M
- Production Studios
- United Artists, Gurian Entertainment
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Ivan Passer
Jeffrey Alan Fiskin, Newton Thornburg
Jack Nitzsche
Jordan Cronenweth
Caroline Biggerstaff
Paul R. Gurian
Department Leadership Roster
Paul R. Gurian
Producer
Ivan Passer
Director
Jack Nitzsche
Original Music Composer
Jordan Cronenweth
Director of Photography
Caroline Biggerstaff
Editor
Josan F. Russo
Production Design
William H. Burton Sr.
Stunt Coordinator
Jeffrey Alan Fiskin
Screenplay
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
R: Restricted — Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
International Certification Matrix
FSK 16 — Restricted to viewers aged 16 and older.
Restricted — Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Cutter's Way.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring Cutter's Way.
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Here's to Sweet 16 -- 2016, that is. And for more magnificent movie watchin' with yet another go at keeping track of all the films I watch this year. This time around, the title of 2016's list was invented by AngelAce.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Cutter's Way
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Cutter's Way about?
Alex Cutter is a boozy, belligerent and deeply cynical Vietnam veteran whose encounter with a landmine during the war has left him minus an eye, a leg and an arm. When his drifter playboy friend Richard Bone is falsely accused of murder, Cutter sets out for revenge in his own inimitable style.
Who directed Cutter's Way?
Cutter's Way was directed by Ivan Passer.
Who stars in Cutter's Way?
The principal cast of Cutter's Way includes Jeff Bridges, John Heard, Lisa Eichhorn, Stephen Elliott, Arthur Rosenberg.
When was Cutter's Way released and how long is it?
Cutter's Way was released in 1981 with a total runtime of 1h 49m.
Who composed the musical score for Cutter's Way?
The original motion picture soundtrack for Cutter's Way was composed by Jack Nitzsche.
Is Cutter's Way based on a book or true story?
Cutter's Way is adapted from the following source material: Novel: "Newton Thornburg".
What is the age rating and content advisory for Cutter's Way?
Cutter's Way holds official age classifications: DE: 16 (FSK 16 — Restricted to viewers aged 16 and older.); FR: TP; US: R (Restricted — Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.).