Watch The Ransom of Red Chief

The Ransom of Red Chief is a 1998 comedy movie that is loosely based on the 1907 short story of the same name by O. Henry. Directed by Bob Clark, the movie stars Christopher Lloyd, Michael Jeter, and Alan Ruck in leading roles. The film follows the story of two scheming criminals who kidnap a young boy in hopes of extorting a hefty ransom from his wealthy father.

The movie is set in the small town of Summit, Alabama, where two struggling criminals, Bill (played by Christopher Lloyd) and Sam (played by Michael Jeter), come up with a plan to kidnap the son of a wealthy banker named Ebenezer Dorset (played by Charles Hallahan) and hold him for ransom. Despite his partner's reluctance, Bill convinces Sam that they could make a fortune with a brazen kidnapping scheme.

The two men abduct the young and mischievous boy, named Johnny Dorset (played by Trevor Morgan) from his house and take him to a hideout in a remote cabin in the woods. Bill and Sam inform Ebenezer of their demand for a ransom of $20,000 in exchange for his son's safe return. However, the plan goes awry when they realize that Johnny is not the easy target they thought he would be.

Johnny turns out to be an energetic and adventurous boy who takes delight in tormenting his captors. He plays pranks on them, annoys them with his constant chatter, and even attempts to escape several times. However, despite his mischievous behavior, Bill and Sam do not dare to harm him or let him go, as they know that they'll be caught and end up in prison.

As the days pass by, the criminals begin to realize that they have bitten off more than they can chew. They start to feel trapped by Johnny and the situation they have created. Meanwhile, Johnny's father refuses to pay the ransom and instead sends a detective named Sam Howard (played by Alan Ruck) to find and rescue his son.

The rest of the movie follows the hilarious and chaotic events that ensue as Johnny turns the tables on his kidnappers and plays them for fools. He becomes so fond of his captors that he even helps them cook and clean around the cabin. Bill and Sam become increasingly exasperated as their scheme falls apart, and they find themselves becoming more like babysitters than kidnappers.

The Ransom of Red Chief is a comedy movie that delivers plenty of laughs and entertainment. Christopher Lloyd and Michael Jeter both give memorable performances as the inept kidnappers, and Trevor Morgan steals the show with his portrayal of the mischievous and lovable Johnny. Alan Ruck also delivers a solid performance as the resourceful detective who is determined to rescue the boy.

Overall, The Ransom of Red Chief is a fun and entertaining movie that is suitable for the whole family. It is a light-hearted comedy that is sure to put a smile on your face and leave you feeling good. If you are looking for a movie that is easy to watch and will make you laugh, then The Ransom of Red Chief is definitely worth checking out.

The Ransom of Red Chief is a 1998 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 31 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.5.