When Mission: Impossible hit theaters in 1996, it wasn’t just another spy movie—it was a game-changer. Directed by Brian De Palma and starring Tom Cruise as the daring IMF agent Ethan Hunt, the film redefined the espionage genre with its blend of intense action, intricate plotting, and high-stakes suspense. Adapted from the classic 1960s TV series, it brought a fresh, cinematic edge to the franchise, setting the stage for one of Hollywood’s most successful action sagas. From its now-iconic CIA vault heist to explosive betrayals and breathtaking stunts, Mission: Impossible combined brains, brawn, and style in a way audiences had never seen before. The movie’s sleek direction, clever twists, and Cruise’s magnetic performance captivated viewers worldwide, proving that impossible missions make for unforgettable entertainment.
Overview
Mission: Impossible (1996) follows Ethan Hunt, a skilled secret agent working for the Impossible Mission Force (IMF), who becomes the target of his own agency after a mission in Prague goes disastrously wrong. Branded a traitor and forced to go rogue, Ethan sets out to uncover the truth behind a deadly conspiracy that has left his team dead and his name disgraced. Using his intelligence, daring, and a few clever disguises, he must outsmart both the CIA and the real traitor hiding in plain sight.
Blending espionage, technology, and psychological tension, the film dives deep into the world of covert operations and deception. Its intricate plot, filled with double-crosses and mind games, keeps viewers guessing until the very end. With its sleek direction by Brian De Palma and Tom Cruise’s intense portrayal of Ethan Hunt, Mission: Impossible became a defining entry in modern spy cinema and the thrilling start of an enduring franchise.
Cast and Crew
Director: Brian De Palma
Mission: Impossible was directed by Brian De Palma, a filmmaker renowned for his mastery of suspense, visual storytelling, and precision in crafting psychological tension. Known for hits like Scarface and The Untouchables, De Palma brought a sophisticated edge to this action-packed spy thriller. His direction gave the film a distinct cinematic identity, blending espionage, mystery, and pulse-pounding action into a seamless experience. Through his meticulous camera work and layered narrative structure, De Palma transformed Mission: Impossible from a TV adaptation into a global blockbuster that set new standards for the spy genre.
Lead Actor: Tom Cruise
At the center of the film is Tom Cruise, portraying the daring IMF agent Ethan Hunt. Cruise delivers a performance filled with intensity, intelligence, and charm, embodying a character constantly pushed to the limits. His dedication to authenticity is evident in his willingness to perform many of his own stunts—most notably the iconic CIA vault scene, which became a defining cinematic moment. Cruise’s portrayal established Ethan Hunt as a modern action hero—resourceful, human, and relentlessly determined—and helped launch one of the most successful franchises in film history.
Lead Actress: Emmanuelle Béart
Emmanuelle Béart stars as Claire Phelps, the enigmatic and emotionally complex widow of Jim Phelps. Her character plays a key role in the film’s twisting narrative, blurring the line between trust and betrayal. Béart’s performance captures both vulnerability and quiet cunning, making Claire a figure of intrigue throughout the story. Her chemistry with Tom Cruise adds emotional depth to the espionage-laden plot, balancing tension with subtle humanity.
Supporting Cast
The supporting ensemble adds significant depth to the film. Jon Voight portrays Jim Phelps, Ethan’s mentor and IMF team leader, whose shocking betrayal serves as the story’s central turning point. Ving Rhames shines as Luther Stickell, the skilled hacker who becomes one of Hunt’s most trusted allies—a role that would later define his recurring presence in the franchise. Jean Reno appears as Krieger, a morally ambiguous mercenary, while Vanessa Redgrave delivers a standout performance as Max, the sophisticated and manipulative arms dealer. Each supporting character enhances the intrigue and complexity of the film’s high-stakes world.
Music Composer: Danny Elfman
The film’s score was composed by Danny Elfman, who brought his signature flair for dramatic, orchestral tension to the project. Elfman reinterpreted Lalo Schifrin’s classic Mission: Impossible television theme, infusing it with modern intensity and cinematic grandeur. His music perfectly complements the film’s tone—alternating between quiet suspense and explosive action—enhancing every twist, betrayal, and breathtaking stunt.
Production Company:
Mission: Impossible was produced by Cruise/Wagner Productions in collaboration with Paramount Pictures. This partnership marked Tom Cruise’s debut as a producer, demonstrating his vision for creating intelligent, high-quality action films. The movie’s production design, global locations, and practical effects helped cement its reputation as a technical and narrative triumph that redefined the spy-action landscape of the 1990s.
Run Time: 1 Hour 50 Minutes
The film runs for approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes, maintaining a tight, fast-paced rhythm that keeps viewers on edge from start to finish. Its compact storytelling and relentless momentum make it a model of efficient, high-stakes filmmaking.
Budget and Box Office
Mission: Impossible was produced on a substantial budget of around $80 million, a significant investment for a mid-1990s action film. The production costs reflected its ambitious scope—featuring elaborate stunt work, international filming locations, and groundbreaking practical effects that brought realism to every scene. Tom Cruise, who also served as a producer, ensured that the film balanced high production values with intricate storytelling, setting a new benchmark for action-thriller franchises.
The gamble paid off spectacularly at the global box office. The film went on to earn more than $457 million worldwide, becoming one of the highest-grossing releases of 1996. Its commercial success not only cemented Tom Cruise’s status as a global superstar but also revitalized the spy genre for a new generation. The film’s impressive earnings paved the way for an enduring franchise that continues to thrill audiences with each new installment.
Story
Mission: Impossible begins with a covert IMF (Impossible Mission Force) operation led by Jim Phelps in Prague. The mission’s goal is to intercept a rogue agent attempting to steal a list containing the identities of all undercover IMF operatives worldwide. Ethan Hunt, one of the team members, supports the mission from the field, but things quickly spiral out of control. Within minutes, the entire team is ambushed and eliminated one by one, leaving Ethan as the sole survivor. In the aftermath, IMF officials, led by Eugene Kittridge, accuse him of orchestrating the failed mission and selling government secrets. Branded a traitor and cut off from his agency, Ethan goes on the run to clear his name and uncover who set him up.
Determined to find the truth, Ethan discovers that the real NOC (Non-Official Cover) list is still hidden inside CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia. Realizing he must steal it to expose the mole within the IMF, he assembles a new team of disavowed agents, including hacker Luther Stickell and pilot Krieger. In one of the film’s most iconic sequences, Ethan infiltrates the heavily guarded CIA vault by lowering himself from the ceiling to avoid motion, sound, and heat sensors—a tense, wordless operation that tests precision and nerve. The heist succeeds, but the mission leaves the team fractured, with growing mistrust and suspicion among them.
As the story unfolds, Ethan pieces together a complex web of deceit involving his mentor, Jim Phelps, who was presumed dead during the Prague mission. Through careful deduction and manipulation, Ethan discovers that Phelps faked his own death and orchestrated the entire setup to frame him. Claire Phelps, Jim’s wife, finds herself caught between loyalty to her husband and sympathy for Ethan, creating a moral and emotional conflict that deepens the film’s tension. Each revelation brings Ethan closer to the truth while tightening the noose around him as the IMF and CIA close in.
The film builds to a climactic confrontation aboard the high-speed Channel Tunnel train, where all the players face off. Ethan exposes Phelps’ treachery to both Claire and the IMF, leading to a deadly showdown that ends with Jim’s downfall. The mission concludes with Ethan’s name cleared and his team restored, but the experience leaves him forever changed—aware that in the world of espionage, trust is the most dangerous illusion. The story closes with Ethan reluctantly accepting another mission, setting the stage for the continuing saga of impossible tasks and moral complexity that would define the Mission: Impossible franchise.
Review
When Mission: Impossible debuted in 1996, it wasn’t just another action film—it was a cinematic puzzle that redefined the spy thriller for a new era. Director Brian De Palma crafted a world of paranoia, deception, and shifting loyalties, inviting audiences to question every move and motive. The film’s complex narrative stood out in a decade dominated by straightforward action flicks, offering a blend of intellectual intrigue and explosive spectacle. What made it remarkable was not just its action sequences, but how it demanded viewers to think while their adrenaline surged.
Tom Cruise’s portrayal of Ethan Hunt remains one of the most iconic performances of his career. At the time, Cruise was already a major Hollywood star, but this role elevated him into the realm of global action hero. His Ethan Hunt is not just a man of strength but of strategy—resourceful, daring, and humanly flawed. Cruise’s commitment to authenticity, especially in performing his own stunts, added an extra layer of realism and intensity. The now-legendary CIA vault scene, where he dangles inches above a pressure-sensitive floor, became an instant classic and a benchmark in action filmmaking.
Brian De Palma’s direction is both cerebral and cinematic. His use of Dutch angles, long takes, and visual symbolism transforms what could have been a simple spy story into a stylized masterpiece. De Palma’s background in psychological thrillers is evident in how he builds tension through silence, glances, and confined spaces. Every shot feels deliberate, enhancing the viewer’s sense of unease. The film’s narrative complexity—complete with double agents, hidden agendas, and moral ambiguity—rewards careful attention, ensuring that Mission: Impossible engages both the mind and the senses.
The supporting cast brings depth and variety to the story. Jon Voight’s Jim Phelps exudes authority and deception, while Emmanuelle Béart’s Claire Phelps adds a subtle emotional undertone, torn between love and loyalty. Ving Rhames, as Luther Stickell, provides both technical prowess and grounded charm, becoming a franchise staple. Vanessa Redgrave’s portrayal of Max, the sophisticated arms dealer, is both playful and chilling—proof of how well De Palma blends charm with menace. Each supporting role feels essential, contributing to the film’s rich web of intrigue and betrayal.
Danny Elfman’s score amplifies the suspense and spectacle with remarkable precision. His reinterpretation of Lalo Schifrin’s original Mission: Impossible theme injects modern urgency while honoring the franchise’s television roots. The blend of orchestral tension and rhythmic beats mirrors the film’s tone—controlled chaos with style. The film’s editing and pacing are razor-sharp, balancing slow-burn tension with explosive payoffs. Overall, Mission: Impossible showcases how intelligence, direction, and performance can combine to create an action film that is as thought-provoking as it is thrilling.
Behind the Legacy of an Impossible Mission
One of the most fascinating aspects of Mission: Impossible is how it reshaped the action genre while launching a billion-dollar franchise that continues to evolve nearly three decades later. At its release, audiences were captivated by its blend of espionage and high-tech intrigue—something rarely seen with such sophistication in the mid-’90s. Tom Cruise’s decision to produce the film himself was a bold move, marking the beginning of his transformation from actor to creative visionary. This personal involvement ensured that the movie didn’t just rely on explosions and gadgetry but also on tight storytelling and character-driven suspense. The film’s emphasis on intelligence and psychological depth made it stand apart from other action blockbusters of its time.
Moreover, Mission: Impossible laid the groundwork for the franchise’s defining themes—loyalty, deception, and moral ambiguity. Every installment since has expanded upon the foundation set by De Palma’s original vision. The film’s legacy lies in how it blended classic spy tropes with modern cinematic style, influencing a new generation of filmmakers and action stars. Its daring stunts, intricate plotting, and magnetic performances not only thrilled audiences but also changed the expectations for what an action movie could achieve. Even today, Mission: Impossible remains a timeless example of how brains and brawn can coexist in perfect harmony on the big screen.
Conclusion
Mission: Impossible stands as a landmark in modern action cinema—a film that seamlessly merged intelligence, suspense, and spectacle. With Brian De Palma’s sharp direction and Tom Cruise’s fearless commitment, it redefined what a spy thriller could be, balancing intricate storytelling with groundbreaking visual execution. Its unforgettable sequences, especially the nerve-wracking CIA vault scene, continue to be studied and celebrated for their innovation and precision. The film not only revived a beloved television series but transformed it into a cinematic powerhouse that has endured for generations.
Beyond its technical brilliance, Mission: Impossible endures because of its themes of trust, betrayal, and perseverance. It captures the essence of espionage—where nothing is as it seems, and survival depends on instinct as much as skill. More than just the beginning of a blockbuster franchise, it marked a turning point in Tom Cruise’s career and in the evolution of action filmmaking. Decades later, its legacy remains unshakable, proving that some missions are truly impossible to forget.