Continuity mistake: During the chase scene, there is a Citroen XM series II (the citroen sign in the middle, on the front) and then there's a Citroen XM series I (the citroen sign on the driver's side, on the front). It changes back and forth a couple of times. There's also a difference at the bottom of the car; the series I carries the name Citroen XM on the left side, while the series II bears a Citroen sign on the left side and the XM sign on the right.
Ronin (1998)
Plot summary
Directed by: John Frankenheimer
Starring: Robert De Niro, Sean Bean, Jean Reno, Stellan Skarsgard, Jonathan Pryce, Natascha McElhone, Michael Lonsdale, Katarina Witt
Sam (De Niro) still works for the CIA, who is trying to track down Seamus (Pryce). After a disasterous ice skating performance, Dierdre (McElhone) abandons Seamus, who shoots Vincent (Reno) and flees. Sam chases him, but walks into a room and gets shot in the shoulder by Seamus, who is then shot dead by Vincent. Sam and Vincent share a final chat together, while Sam hopes to see Dierdre again. Vincent asks what was in the case, and Sam replies with lesson number two. Sam leaves, and Vincent walks up the steps narrating, "No Questions, no answers. That's the business we are in. You accept things and you move on. Maybe that's lesson number three".
More mistakes in RoninMore quotes from Ronin
Trivia: In many of the stunt car scenes you can see the actors apparently driving. The producers used British RHD cars and fitted phoney steering wheels on the passenger sides to make it look as if the stars were really driving.
Question: What is the most likely explanation for what was in the case?
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Answer: There's no way of knowing what was in the case. It is a plot device called a "MacGuffin," a term coined by director Alfred Hitchcock. It doesn't actually matter what the object is but is just something that drives the story. It can be any type of object or device such as a "secret formula," "enemy war plans," a "nuclear weapon," a "treasure map," and so on that the characters are either searching for or protecting. There was never any intention to reveal what it was. Its purpose is to motivate the characters' actions and tell the story. Most likely it was intended to be a McGuffin just to keep the audience guessing and thinking about the movie long after it ends.
raywest ★