BARBARIANS AT THE GATE (TV)
Summary
This drama, based on a true story, recounts RJR Nabisco CEO Ross Johnson's ill-fated attempt in the late eighties to acquire his beloved company through a leveraged buy-out, unwittingly pitting himself against the king of corporate takeovers, financier Henry Kravis. The drama opens with brief scenes showing Johnson's maturation from nine-year-old paperboy in 1940s Winnepeg, to teenage photo salesman, and finally as middle-aged CEO with a fleet of limosines and private planes. On the eve of the launch of a smokeless cigarette that cost hundreds of millions of dollars to develop, Johnson learns that the cigarettes have tested poorly with consumers. Fearing the board's wrath -- and more specifically, the loss of his extravagant perks and privileges -- Johnson decides to heed the advice of an acquaintance, financier Henry Kravis, and buy out RJR Nabisco. When Johnson decides to work on the L.B.O. with old friend Jim Robinson and his company, Shearson-Lehman, he unwittingly slights Kravis. The seemingly simple takeover scheme develops into a war of double-crosses, press leaks, and feats of one-upsmanship in which no venue -- be it a public toilet or a fashion show -- is safe ground. The battle of egos and checkbooks culminates in a tense 10-day standoff during which the board assesses its suitors.
Details
- NETWORK: HBO
- DATE: March 20, 1993 8:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:46:40
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:35337
- GENRE: Drama, historical
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama, historical; Biography; Businessmen; Finance
- SERIES RUN: HBO - TV, 1993
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Thomas M. Hammel … Executive Producer
- Glenn Jordan … Executive Producer, Director
- Ray Stark … Producer
- Marykay Powell … Co-Producer
- Jeffrey Downer … Associate Producer
- Larry Gelbart … Writer
- Bryan Burrough … Based on the book by
- John Heylar … Based on the book by
- Richard Gibbs … Music by
- Miranda Garrison … Choreographer
- James Garner … Cast, Ross Johnson
- Jonathan Pryce … Cast, Henry Kravis
- Peter Riegert … Cast, Peter Cohen
- Joanna Cassidy … Cast, Linda Robinson
- Fred Dalton Thompson … Cast, Jim Robinson
- Leilani Ferrer … Cast, Laurie Johnson
- Matt Clark … Cast, Ed Horrigan
- Jeffrey DeMunn … Cast, John Greeniaus
- David Rasche … Cast, Ted Forstmann
- Tom Aldredge … Cast, Charlie Hugel
- Graham Beckel … Cast, Don Kelly
- Peter Dvorsky … Cast, George Roberts
- Peter Frechette … Cast, Robert Allegro
- Judy Altman … Cast, Robinson's Aide
- Bruce Beatty … Cast, Anthony the Pizza Man
- Raye Birk … Cast, Travis Gaines
- Julia Calderon … Cast, RJR Cleaning Woman
- Ron Canada … Cast, Vernon Jordan
- Ann Cooper … Cast, Shearson Woman
- Mary Elkins … Cast, Flight Attendant
- Bruce French … Cast, Golfer Jay
- Steven Gagnon … Cast, Milken Newscaster
- Mary Hale … Cast, Cipollone Newscaster
- Mark Harelik … Cast, Peter Atkins
- Dale Harimoto … Cast, Helicopter Reporter
- Rosanna Huffman … Cast, Juanita Kreps
- Joseph Kell … Cast, Nick Forstmann
- Melody Knighton … Cast, Secretary Jill
- Andrea Leonelli … Cast, Fashion Show Model
- Dan W. Lufkin … Cast, Fight Party Guest
- John Mansfield … Cast, Buffalo Bill
- Kathe Mazur … Cast, RJR Stewardess
- Jeanne Mori … Cast, Elizabeth Arden Waxer
- Stacey Nathan … Cast, Allegro's Aide
- Dean Norris … Cast, First Scientist
- Philip O'Brien … Cast, Harry the Tailor
- F. William Parker … Cast, Ira Harris
- Eric Poppick … Cast, Second Scientist
- Phil Reeves … Cast, Wally McNabb
- Roger Rook … Cast, RJR Pilot
- Nancy Stephens … Cast, Kravis' Maid
- Sally Stewart … Cast, Homeless Woman
- Scott Stevens … Cast, Air Traffic Controller
- Timothy D. Stickney … Cast, Taxi Driver
- Parviz Vessali … Cast, Shoe Shine Man
- Paul Vincent … Cast, New York Limo Driver
- Brian Wallace … Cast, Kravis' Butler
- Susan Ware … Cast, Secretary Marge
- Vern Weese … Cast, Square Dance Caller
- Kent Williams … Cast, Tom Hill
- Rita Wilson … Cast, Carolyne Roehm
- Dick Cavett … Cast, Himself