People take hostages all over the world, wait for contact, make a demand and then negotiate it. For the family, it’s emotional. For the kidnappers, it’s just business.

Peter Bowman (DAVID MORSE), an American engineer in a Latin American country, is kidnapped for a $3 million dollar ransom. Abandoned by her husband’s employer and insurance company, his wife Alice (MEG RYAN) refuses to give up on his life. She takes on the task of bringing him home but quickly realizes she can’t do that without help.

An expert in ‘K & R’ (Kidnap & Ransom), Terry Thorne (RUSSELL CROWE) is Alice’s best and only hope for saving Peter. He takes on the job, but soon finds it to be trickier than anyone thought. Throughout the lengthy negotiations, Alice and Terry develop a mutual respect which evolves into a mutual attraction as they barter for Peter’s life with the guerrilla aggressors.

With the help of a fellow negotiator, Dino (DAVID CARUSO), and a trio of highly trained mercenaries, Terry takes on a do-or-die rescue operation that could as easily result in disaster as in triumph.

Directed by TAYLOR HACKFORD ("Devil’s Advocate"), "Proof of Life" is an action-suspense drama about desperation, loyalty and faith set against the backdrop of the big profit business of international kidnapping. The film features a diverse cast of acclaimed actors, led by Meg Ryan ("City of Angels"), Russell Crowe ("Gladiator"), David Morse ("The Green Mile"), David Caruso ("Kiss of Death") and Pamela Reed ("The Right Stuff") as Peter Bowman’s sister Janis.

In addition to directing the film, Hackford also produces along with CHARLES MULVEHILL ("Dolores Claiborne"). TONY GILROY ("Devil’s Advocate," "Dolores Claiborne") wrote the screenplay and is an executive producer on the project. STEVEN REUTHER ("Face/Off," "Pay It Forward"), the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Bel- Air Entertainment, is serving as executive producer.

The distinguished behind-the-scenes team is led by the director of photography SLAWOMIR IDZIAK ("Blue"), Oscar-nominated production designer BRUNO RUBEO ("Driving Miss Daisy"), editors JOHN SMITH ("Leaving Las Vegas") and SHELDON KAHN ("Out of Africa"), composer DANNY ELFMAN ("Men in Black," "Good Will Hunting") and costume designer RUTH MYERS ("Emma," "The Addams Family").

"Proof Of Life" is a production of Hackford’s Anvil Films and a presentation of Castle Rock Entertainment in association with Bel-Air Entertainment. Warner Bros. Pictures releases "Proof Of Life."

Castle Rock Entertainment is a Time Warner Company.

This film has been rated "R" by the Motion Picture Association of America. It was given this rating for "violence, language and some drug material."

While constructing a dam in Tecala, a country located in the Andes, American chief engineer Peter Bowman (David Morse) is captured by anti-government forces during a raid on the capital city. When the rebels learn his identity they demand $3 million for his safe return. Peter’s Houston-based employer, however, is on the verge of bankruptcy and has cancelled the kidnapping insurance policy and they cannot provide the money for his ransom.

Abandoned by the company, Peter’s wife, Alice (Meg Ryan), must deal with it on her own. She retains the services of professional hostage negotiator Terry Thorne (Russell Crowe), an Australian-born SAS veteran who over the past nine years has handled numerous high profile kidnappings, using every means at his disposal.

After an encouraging start, the negotiations deteriorate into a lengthy haggling session. During these discussions, Peter is moved from one remote guerilla camp high in the Andes down to another camp in the Amazonian jungle, suffering the most hellish physical and mental hardships. By rediscovering his love for Alice, and focusing on that positive image, he sustains his will to survive.

Meanwhile, the emotional stress of the kidnapping has taken its toll on Alice, magnifying the uneasiness that existed in their marriage before the abduction. Further complicating matters is Alice’s guilty realization of a growing fondness for Terry, her protector and her husband’s potential savior. Terry intuitively reciprocates and becomes frustrated and conflicted by his decidedly unprofessional feelings for her.

When they reach a breakdown in the negotiations for her husband’s freedom, Terry devises a daring yet desperate plan with the help of a fellow negotiator Dino (David Caruso) and a trio of highly trained mercenaries, to mount a bold rescue operation.