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A reformed bank robber (Nick Nolte) is taken hostage by a desperate man (Martin Short) during a bank hold up, but is forced to go on the run with his captor when they are both mistakenly thought to be in cahoots.

A confession right up front: I have never cared for Martin Short. I couldn't say why, but his brand of humor just does not appeal to me. And yet, I really enjoyed this film and thought he was pretty sharp in it. Maybe Nick Nolte is the right "straight man" to keep the balance? It appears so.

There are some emotional moments, but nothing overwhelming that turns this fro ma comedy (with slight action) into a tear-jerker. What works great for the comedy-action balance is how quickly we get right into it. We learn about the characters as we go, rather than waiting twenty minutes for things to take off. This script decision was brilliant.

This is not as bad or as unfunny a movie as some IMDb posters make out. The central situation of Lucas (Nick Nolte), a tough, professional heist-meister, being taken hostage by Perry (Martin Short), a bungling first-time bank robber, is pleasingly ridiculous. In particular, Perry's antics in the early bank robbery scenes are laugh-out-loud funny; as is Lucas's later violent entry into the bar where Perry is being held prisoner. The section towards the end, when Perry is disguised as a woman is also reasonably amusing. The scenes between Lucas and Perry's daughter (Sarah Rowland Doroff), are quite touching, when they could easily have been been sickly sentimental. (It helps that the little girl is supposed to have a psychological problem, so she hardly speaks.)

On the downside, there are undoubtedly soggy patches in the middle of the film, including the scene where James Earl Jones and Alan Ruck, as the two policemen leading the chase for Perry and Lucas, find it hilariously funny that Lucas was treated for a gunshot wound by a crazy vet who thought he was a dog. Another defect is the whiny music, which is repetitive and irritating.

All in all, this may not be a film to spend much money on, but is worth watching if it turns up on TV.

After spending five years in prison for 14 separate bank robberies "Lucas" (Nick Nolte) has finally been granted parole and is set free. Unfortunately, when he goes to a bank to deposit his prison check he finds himself on the receiving end of a bank robbery by what turns out to be an extremely bumbling novice by the name of "Ned Perry" (Martin Short). To make matters worse, when the police surround the bank Ned picks Lucas-of all people--to be his hostage. This selection causes the police to think that both Ned and Lucas are acting as a team and as a result the two of them are forced to work together to somehow extricate themselves from this situation. To further complicate matters, Ned's young daughter "Meg" (Sarah Rowland Doroff) has some serious issues related to trauma which has caused her to withdraw from everyone around her-until she meets Lucas. As a result, instead of two fugitives from the law there are now three-and each of them have their own priorities which don't necessarily relate to one another. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that this film turned out better than I thought it would due mainly to the humorous twists and turns throughout. That said, while it's certainly not the greatest comedy ever made, it's still a cute little film which should appeal to most viewers interested in something of this type. Slightly above average.

I am so glad I give this film a go. Three fugitives is a hidden gem. Enjoyable and fun to watch. Its also an easy watch and gets better and funnier if you stick with it. Great acting and easy to follow story.

This is a light 80's style comedy with heavy doses of schmaltz. The plot revolves around Lucas (Nick Nolte) who's been released from jail after 5 years for armed bank robbery. On his first day of release, he gets taken hostage by Perry (Martin Short), who tries to rob a bank in order to continue to care for his ailing daughter Meg. We've seen it many times before, Perry is completely inept, knowing only that he has to care for his daughter, Lucas is the tough ex-con with the heart of gold, oh you can almost picture the buddy-buddy hilarity to come.

Unfortunately, this movie completely under-utilises one of the great American comedic actors in Martin Short. These scenes that revolve around him just drag, and you end up longing for Nolte returning to the screen. The most poignant scenes revolve around the relationship formed between Lucas and Meg. Both of these two are fantastic in these scenes, and it's that which keeps you drawn to the film longing to see how it plays out.

The Three Fugitives is a fun little movie that won't bore you, is worth watching if you see it on TV. I wouldn't bother going out of you way to view it though.

All in all 6 out of 10

Directed by Francis Veber. Starring Nick Nolte, Martin Short, James Earl Jones, Sarah Doroff, Alan Ruck, Kenneth McMillan, Bruce McGill, Lee Garlington, David Arnott. (PG-13)

Less than an hour after getting out of prison from a bank robbery conviction, Nolte winds up the hostage of a different--and far more hapless--bank robber (Short); the police assume that Nolte is in on it, the two are forced to go on the run together. One is gruff and grouchy, the other is clumsy and frenetic, hilarity ensues. It almost does, actually, for about twenty minutes or so, but the laughter dies down not long after leaving the bank, and rarely does it return. Remake of French farce "Les Fugitifs" by the same writer/director; producers probably thought, "If it worked for 'Three Men and Baby'..." Nolte and Short are okay, behaving in the way that's expected based on their respective personas, but this ain't "48 Hours"; they also pick up Short's mute daughter (Doroff) along the way, but she's just a plot device to (tepidly) generate sympathy and keep the story going. As for the law "hot" in pursuit, the doofuses from the "Police Academy" movies were more competent and harder to elude. The atrocious soft-jazz score sounds like something one would hear after hours on cable in the 90s.

43/100

While being a great enthusiast of French cinema, I hadn't heard of Francis Veber when I saw this magnificent comedy in 1989. Unfortunately his wonderful films were never released in the UK, until 'Le Dîner des Cons'. So I came to it fresh... and WOW. Here we have Nick Nolte in a perfect role as the tough former bank robber and Martin Short as the perfect nerdish but determined sidekick. The opening bank robbery sequence, that sets up the film is magnificent and hilarious. The sub-plot involving the little girl is sweet and moving - almost worthy of Chaplin. The loopy vet is amazing and one of his scenes had me crawling on the floor with laughter. I could start analysing the structure or the mise en scène, but such sophistry is irrelevant - just see it and laugh out loud like you will rarely have done so before. (Amazingly I haven't seen the original with Depardieu and Pierre Richard... why don't they release a subtitled version?????)

After five years in prison and 14 armed robberies, wavy-haired Nick Nolte (as Daniel Lucas) is out on parole. His cell-mates are going to miss those golden locks. Dressed for success, Mr. Nolte gets a ride to the bank from former arresting officer James Earl Jones (as Dugan). Nolte hopes to open an account with his prison paycheck - he earned 25 cents an hour working in the laundry. While opening his account, Nolte is taken hostage by bumbling bank robber Martin Short (as Ned Perry). The men become unlikely partners because police think Nolte must be the mastermind...

Mr. Short planned the heist to get money for his mute daughter Sarah Rowland Doroff (as Meg). She hasn't spoken since the death of her mother. The plot follows writer-director Francis Veber's original French-language version, "Les fugitifs" (1986). This is the one area where "Three Fugitives" could have been made more distinctive. The little girl is amazingly cute and adds a high level humanity to the co-stars, but that could have been handled in other ways. Imagine the little girl as a sassy young teenager revealed to have prompted papa to hold up the bank - inadvertently, of course...

Another suggestion would have been to add some make-up and more womanly features to Short's disguise when he and Nolte are posing as husband and wife. This is something a teenage daughter could have helped with. Still, Martin Short is a very, very funny fellow and Mr. Veber directs everyone well. Finally, "Three Fugitives" gives supporting actor Kenneth McMillan (as Doctor Horvath) a great last role. His first appearance was on the fantastical TV serial "Dark Shadows" as a sailor frightened by the arrival of Leviathans. Always an asset, he's an old veterinarian, herein.

******* Three Fugitives (1/27/89) Francis Veber ~ Martin Short, Nick Nolte, Kenneth McMillan, James Earl Jones

Lucas (Nick Nolte) gets parole after 5 years in prison for armed robbery. He catches a ride from detective Duggan (James Earl Jones) and his partner Tener (Alan Ruck) to the bank to open an account. Suddenly, incompetent robber Ned Perry (Martin Short) rushes in. He takes Lucas hostage but everybody assumes that Lucas is the robber. Ned is struggling to get the money for his daughter Meg's medical treatment. He had a nervous breakdown after his wife's death and she hasn't said a word since then.

The initial joke is a gruff, angry Nolte constantly beating up on Short. That may be funny for awhile but even that doesn't last. The movie tries to win over our hearts with a cute little girl. I don't have anything mean to say. The movie is trying really hard to pluck those heart strings. The odd couple gets separated for long stretches. They're not that funny even when they're together. These two with a little girl has that light 80's comedic feel but it fails to deliver much comedy.

Watching Three Fugitives is like traveling back in time to a bygone era, when there was no Internet, only four TV channels and John Major was prime minister. But hey, it wasn't all bad... We got films like this, where the focus is purely on the relationship between a grumpy, fresh out of jail bank thief portrayed by Nick Nolte, a mute six year old girl and her well-meaning but accident prone father, played by Martin Short.

Caught up in a heist-gone-wrong with a case of mistaken identity thrown into the bargain, the trio (as the title suggests) go on the lam together. Ever cop in the district is looking for them, Short is a walking disaster area, the kid wanders off at every given opportunity and Nolte just wants to ditch the other two and go straight. Easier said then done, when Short lands them in non-stop trouble, and Nolte begins to form a connection with the little girl...

It's not a laugh-a-minute split-your-sides experience, but what it IS is a perfect fusion of pathos, understated action and amusing character moments. It's easy to predict the hate-love arc of the Nolte/Short friendship, and some of the punchline are visible from miles off. But frankly, I didn't care.

All the cast play their roles so well, they transform what could have a humdrum script into something quite special. Of course, it also helps to have one of the cutest screen children around as their co-star. Makes their ongoing struggle more believable when we sees what's at stake, ya see? One to watch every few years from now on, I think. I'll never get tired of it, that's for sure. 8/10

A remake of Les Fugitifs, a 1986 French comedy, 'Three Fugitives' is Decent Fun! Though nothing amazing or extremely touching, this crime-comedy is engaging at parts & well-acted nevertheless.

'Three Fugitives' Synopsis: On his first day after being released from jail for 14 armed bank robberies, Lucas finds himself caught up in someone else's robbery. Perry has decided to hold up the local bank to raise money so that he can keep his daughter, Meg, and get her the treatment she needs. Dugan, a detective, assumes Lucas helped plan the robbery, and hence Lucas, Perry and Meg become three fugitives.

'Three Fugitives' is consistently watchable, thanks to its engaging narrative. The series of events that happen with its conjoined protagonists is mostly fun. Having said that, the film doesn't work entirely. The pace drops in its second-hour & hence the impact overall, is hampered.

Francis Veber's Screenplay & Direction are good. He's written some bits well & has captured the film well. Cinematography & Editing are standard.

Performance-Wise: Nick Nolte is a complete scene-stealer, as always. Martin Short is in remarkable form, enacting his part with excellent timing. Sarah Doroff is cute. James Earl Jones is first-rate.

On the whole, 'Three Fugitives' has some problems, but they are mostly done away by its lighthearted tone & fine performances.

Ah yes the buddy movie , a short lived sub genre that existed in the late 1980s and became extinct sometime in the early 90s . Perhaps the fact there`s a very limited milage you can expect to get out of matching two mismatched characters in a movie had everthing to do with it ?

Newly released con Nick Nolte walks into a bank being held up by Martin Short and then it`s non existent laughs all the way . The problem is director Francis Veber treats the film as high farce rather than comedy which means it all ends up being silly rather the funny , most of the cast are OTT except mainly Nick Nolte who plays the straight man but even he hams it when he`s called on to be funny

The only funny bit is where Nolte gets into a fight with cops which is life imitating art rather humour

This is as 80's as it gets. One of my childhood movies that I (obviously) grew up with, and it's always been there. It's like one of those things your mom tells you when you grow up, you carry it with you constantly. This one is up there with "Tango & Cash", "Adventures In Babysitting", "Back To The Future", "Willow", "Roxanne", "The Princess Bride", and all the other great flicks from the late 80's.

In this remake of a French movie from 1986, Nick Nolte is released from prison, goes to a bank which Martin Short is robbing. At least he tries to rob it, everything goes down the drain and he takes Nolte hostage, and of course the cops think Nolte is the robber.

As I said, this is one of movies I grew up with and you always love your childhood movies, even though they might suck. And this movie really does suck. It's not nearly as good as the French predecessor, but I love it anyway. I can't help it. Sure, it's silly. It's laughable. It's way too sentimental. It's even pathetic at times.

This movie starts out funny and keeps on being funny until the very end. Naturally it has to have the mandatory American 'happy ending' but despite that the characters are lovable and compelling. The scene with the 'doctor' is priceless and is in keeping with the whole insane reason from the start. I would be tempted to call this movie a humorous version of 'Dog Day Afternoon' Don't miss it!

Aside from one horrible child-abuse scene, this is, finally, the first decent release of 1989 in January. While not all jokes landed, most did and it was cute and sometimes harmless. I'd give a recommendation, but be warned, Nick Nolte can be a complete ass at times. Oh, and also, damn I love movies taking place in Seattle, around Seattle and the Pacific Northwest. Gets a much bigger nod from me for that.

If you're that "god, I'm a serious movie rater and this better impress me" kind of movie watcher then go find another. But If you are in the mood to laugh and think odd pairs are funny then go for it. It helps to know the history of Martin Short's style of comedy. Nick Nolte's a pretty big guy and Sarah Doroff is really little. So Nolte just got outa prison and is supposed to be this big bad bank robber with a reputation. Martin Short is this nervous jobless dad that robs a bank just as Nick Nolte is there and takes Martin takes 'Nick' as a hostage.

Nick gets SHOT! Martin has a senile old friend that takes care of Rover(Nick). James Earl Jones does a belly-laugh. Sarah overcomes her trama to change gender. Martin Changes Gender! There's a Happy Ending Such a sweet movie- after its over put A Nightmare on Elm Street in for the contrast!

as an couple buddy movie,this one's pretty decent.Martin Short and Nick Nolte make a good pair,and Sarah Rowland Doroff is quite adorable.there's some funny ,moments here and some touching moments as well.there's even a little bit of action.the move goes long at along at a debt clip.it does follow the same predictable formula,to a certain extant,and you can probably see the ending coming a mile away.but the performances make up for it.on a boring night when you have nothing else to do,you could do worse than this movie.it's no masterpiece by along shot,but it's good fro some chuckles.for me,Three Fugitives is a 6/10

Okay, seems that everyone was on a HUGE Francis Veber kick after his "Three Men and a Cradle" got the Yank treatment with Ted Danson, Tom Selleck and Steve Guttenberg.

Well, then the suits got a bright idea: why not remake EVERY LAST SINGLE ONE of Veber's movies as an American comedy?

Not so bright, it seems, since "Three Fugitives" was included in the package.

I am a great fan of Martin Short; he is a great comedian and has proved it time and again. Just not here; he basically plays a clumsily doting father who turns to a life of crime to help care for his daughter (Doroff).

Meantime, recently released con Nolte finds himself "kidnapped" by Short during a botched bank robbery (admittedly, the film's high point).

And from that moment on, it's all one long, dreary, boring, exhaustive slog of a chase movie/road movie/odd couple-buddy movie/movie-of-the-week movie and over-baked slapstick movie that has an ending that should have ended before it began.

Maybe in a different movie, Nolte and Short would have had better chemistry; here, they just seem like a big, gruff bully (Nolte) forced to tag along with a small, annoying klutz (Short) and his mute, cloyingly cute daughter (Doroff). Not exactly the makings for a classic comedy.

Then again, they worship Jerry Lewis over in France, too.

Two stars for "Three Fugitives". One for the bank holdup scene and another for a scene near the end where Short, in drag, has to fake birthing labor with his daughter's teddy bear under his dress so that he and Nolte can avoid the cops.

Would have made a GREAT short subject.

I won't say this is a perfect movie, but I liked it. It was funny, enjoyable and well-performed. One or two moments may drag and the sentimentality is not quite kept at bay, but overall I really liked Three Fugitives.

Three Fugitives is beautiful to look at certainly, the sumptuous cinematography and beautiful scenery really gives the film a lovely look to it. The music is good too, as is the direction. The script is very funny and quotable and the story is believable with good action, while the pacing on the whole is secure enough. The acting also helps elevate, Nick Nolte and Martin Short's chemistry mayn't be an immediate classic, but it is believable and both men do really well in their roles especially Short who has plenty of slapstick laughs. And it was a delight to see James Earl Jones again, a great actor with a wonderful, dignified presence and rarely disappoints in his films and this is no exception.

In conclusion, an enjoyable film and worth watching at least once. 8/10 Bethany Cox

A bit funny, a bit emotional feel-good movie. A few scenes are hilarious. It's a remake of a French movie "Les Fugitifs". I've seen the original years ago, as a kid. Watching the remake almost felt like watching the same movie again. Which is not surprising considering that both of the films were directed by Francis Veber, the writer of the movies. The characters were chosen very appropriately. And congrats to both Martin Short and Nick Nolte they both played they roles exactly as they should. If you like this movie you might like others written by Francis Veber. Several of his French movies were remade in United States. I think there is another movie where Pierre Richard was replaced by Martin Short.

I usually dont comments but this makes me comment coz it is not appreciated underrated very good timeless movie...like it very much.