The Punisher (2004)
The Punisher is a 2004 American vigilante action film based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name, directed by Jonathan Hensleigh, in his directorial debut, who also co-wrote the film with Michael France. It stars Thomas Jane as the antihero Frank Castle and John Travolta as Howard Saint, a crime boss who orders the death of Castle’s entire family. The film’s story and plot were mainly based on two Punisher comic book stories: the 1994 miniseries The Punisher: Year One, by writers Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning, and the 2000–01 miniseries Welcome Back, Frank, by writer Garth Ennis, though some scenes were derived from other Punisher stories, such as Marvel Preview Presents:
Plot:
An FBI bust of a smuggling operation in Tampa results in the deaths of Bobby Saint, the son of mafia boss Howard Saint, and Otto Krieg, an arms dealer. However, Krieg’s death was faked and is later revealed to be undercover FBI agent Frank Castle, who is on his final mission before retirement. Enraged at the death of his son, Saint orders his men to learn everything they can about Krieg and acquires access by bribing corrupt federal law enforcement officers for his federal service history.
Saint orders Castle to be killed at a family reunion in Puerto Rico, though Saint’s wife Livia insists that Castle’s family be killed as well. At the reunion, Saint’s men, including Saint’s best friend Quentin Glass and Bobby’s identical twin John kill Castle’s entire family. Though Frank Castle Sr. takes down some of the attackers, John then shoots Castle, leaving him for dead. However, Castle survives and is nursed back to health by Candelaria, a local fisherman.
