---
name: "Jan de Bont"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/jan-de-bont"
fi1m_id: "jan-de-bont"
imdb_id: "nm0000957"
tmdb_id: 2209
wikidata_id: "Q376107"
roles: ["Director","Producer"]
born: "22 October 1943"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 13
average_fi1m_score: 62
average_as: "director"
average_over: 3
updated: "2026-10-05T00:07:58.634663+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Jan de Bont

## Identity

Jan de Bont

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/jan-de-bont
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** jan-de-bont
- **IMDb ID:** nm0000957
- **TMDB ID:** 2209
- **Wikidata ID:** Q376107
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jan_de_Bont, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q376107, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000957/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/2209

Director and producer. Born 22 October 1943 in Eindhoven, Noord-Brabant, Netherlands.

## Details

- **Work:** Director, Producer
- **Born:** 22 October 1943, Eindhoven, Noord-Brabant, Netherlands
- **Active:** 1973–2002
- **Also known as:** Jan De Bont, Jan DeBont, Jan Debont
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 13: 3 directing, 1 producing, 9 crew
- **Frequently works with:** [Michael Douglas](https://film.one/person/michael-douglas.md), [Paul Verhoeven](https://film.one/person/paul-verhoeven.md), [Danny DeVito](https://film.one/person/danny-devito.md), [Gerard Soeteman](https://film.one/person/gerard-soeteman.md), [Joel Silver](https://film.one/person/joel-silver.md), [John McTiernan](https://film.one/person/john-mctiernan.md), [Lois Smith](https://film.one/person/lois-smith.md), [Michael Peyser](https://film.one/person/michael-peyser.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 62, as director, over 3 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 71 (5), 1990s 64 (7), 2000s 81 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 62 to 57 across 3 titles
- **Score spread:** 1 at 80+, 1 at 60–79, 1 under 60
- **Genres:** Action 3, Thriller 2, Adventure 1, Drama 1
- **Screen time:** 6 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $1,009m across 3 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jan_de_Bont, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q376107, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000957/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/2209

## Streaming the US now

- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Die Hard*](https://film.one/film/die-hard.md) (89), [*Ruthless People*](https://film.one/film/ruthless-people.md) (77)
- **Netflix:** [*Speed*](https://film.one/film/speed.md) (86), [*Speed 2: Cruise Control*](https://film.one/film/speed-2-cruise-control.md) (36)
- **Apple TV:** [*Minority Report*](https://film.one/film/minority-report.md) (81)
- **Hulu:** [*Basic Instinct*](https://film.one/film/basic-instinct.md) (72)
- **The Roku Channel:** [*Twister*](https://film.one/film/twister.md) (64)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Jan de Bont

> Jan de Bont makes action gripping when he gives us a clear problem and keeps the people solving it in view. *Speed* is the reason we rate him; its excesses also suggest his limits.

A bus must not drop below 50 miles per hour in *Speed* (1994), or the bomb aboard will explode. De Bont makes that rule clear enough for us to dread the ordinary business of keeping it moving. We were tense simply watching the bus, because travelling fast is no guarantee of being able to continue. His excellent directorial debut keeps giving us enough information to anticipate what might go wrong.

He came to directing through cinematography, with frequent work for Paul Verhoeven on Dutch films before his Hollywood action credits. *Die Hard* (1988) helped establish his reputation as a cinematographer; *Basic Instinct* (1992) brought him back together with Verhoeven. His directing favours practical stunts and a camera that rarely sits still. In *Speed*, the movement stays legible.

Andrzej Bartkowiak’s hand-held camerawork makes movement feel unstable without obscuring the action. Editor John Wright allows each new difficulty to register before pushing on, so the pace leaves us time to worry. Graham Yost’s screenplay supplies a condition that is easy to grasp and awkward to work around. Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock give us people to care about between stunts, which matters when so much depends on our wanting them to get through the next one.

De Bont does eventually ask too much of that goodwill. *Speed* becomes less involving as the predicaments grow more implausible, and Yost’s thinner exchanges are exposed when the pressure eases. The premise does not need all that extra action, and the film would be stronger with less of it.

*Twister* (1996) followed, extending his directing career into CG-augmented disaster cinema. The later films had a less favourable critical reception, including *Speed 2: Cruise Control* (1997) and *The Haunting* (1999). His final feature as director was *Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life* (2003). Start with *Speed*, and forgive it a few stunts it ought to have left out.

## Biography

Jan de Bont is a Dutch cinematographer, film director and producer. Born on 22 October 1943 in Eindhoven, he trained at the Amsterdam Film Academy.

He began his career in the Netherlands as a cinematographer, including on several films directed by Paul Verhoeven. He later worked in the United States on blockbusters such as *Die Hard* (1988), *The Hunt for Red October* (1990), *Lethal Weapon 3* (1992) and *Basic Instinct* (1992).

De Bont made his directorial debut with *Speed* (1994). He subsequently directed *Twister* (1996), *Speed 2: Cruise Control* (1997), *The Haunting* (1999) and *Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life* (2003).

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (13)

### Directed (3) — the average rests on these

- *Speed 2: Cruise Control* (1997), Fi1m 36, Producer, Director, Story — [page](https://film.one/film/speed-2-cruise-control.md)
- *Twister* (1996), Fi1m 64, Director — [page](https://film.one/film/twister.md)
- *Speed* (1994), Fi1m 86, Director — [page](https://film.one/film/speed.md)

### Produced (1)

- *Minority Report* (2002), Fi1m 81, Producer — [page](https://film.one/film/minority-report.md)

### Crew (9)

- *Basic Instinct* (1992), Fi1m 72, Director of Photography, Cinematography — [page](https://film.one/film/basic-instinct.md)
- *Lethal Weapon 3* (1992), Fi1m 64, as Dutch Cameraman (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/film/lethal-weapon-3.md)
- *Shining Through* (1992), Fi1m 47, Cinematography, Director of Photography — [page](https://film.one/film/shining-through.md)
- *The Hunt for Red October* (1990), Fi1m 82, Director of Photography, Cinematography — [page](https://film.one/film/the-hunt-for-red-october.md)
- *Black Rain* (1989), Fi1m 62, Director of Photography, Cinematography — [page](https://film.one/film/black-rain.md)
- *Die Hard* (1988), Fi1m 89, Cinematography, Director of Photography — [page](https://film.one/film/die-hard.md)
- *Ruthless People* (1986), Fi1m 77, Cinematography, Director of Photography — [page](https://film.one/film/ruthless-people.md)
- *The Jewel of the Nile* (1985), Fi1m 53, Director of Photography, Cinematography — [page](https://film.one/film/the-jewel-of-the-nile.md)
- *The 4th Man* (1983), Fi1m 76, Cinematography, Director of Photography — [page](https://film.one/film/the-4th-man.md)

## Complete filmography (71)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Liberty or Death: Boston Tea Party* (2023), series, Executive Producer
- *The Storm Chasers: Jan de Bont on 'Twister'* (2021), Actor
- *There Is No Plane to Zagreb* (2012), Director of Photography
- *The Paperboy* (2012), Executive Producer
- *Lara Croft: Tomb Raider - The Cradle of Life* (2003), Director, Title Designer
- *Thoughtcrimes* (2003), Executive Producer
- *Equilibrium* (2002), Producer
- *Minority Report* (2002), Producer — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/film/minority-report.md)
- *The Haunting* (1999), Director, Executive Producer
- *SLC Punk* (1998), Executive Producer
- *Speed 2: Cruise Control* (1997), Director, Story, Producer — Fi1m 36, [page](https://film.one/film/speed-2-cruise-control.md)
- *Twister* (1996), Director — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/twister.md)
- *Speed* (1994), Director — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/film/speed.md)
- *HBO First Look* (1992), series, Actor
- *Lethal Weapon 3* (1992), as Dutch Cameraman (uncredited) · Director of Photography — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/lethal-weapon-3.md)
- *Basic Instinct* (1992), Director of Photography — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/basic-instinct.md)
- *Shining Through* (1992), Director of Photography — Fi1m 47, [page](https://film.one/film/shining-through.md)
- *Flatliners* (1990), Director of Photography
- *Parker Kane* (1990), Director of Photography
- *The Hunt for Red October* (1990), Director of Photography — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/the-hunt-for-red-october.md)
- *Black Rain* (1989), Director of Photography — Fi1m 62, [page](https://film.one/film/black-rain.md)
- *Tales from the Crypt* (1989), series, Director of Photography
- *Bert Rigby, You're a Fool* (1989), Director of Photography
- *Die Hard* (1988), Director of Photography — Fi1m 89, [page](https://film.one/film/die-hard.md)
- *Leonard Part 6* (1987), Director of Photography
- *Who's That Girl* (1987), Director of Photography
- *Ruthless People* (1986), Director of Photography — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/film/ruthless-people.md)
- *The Clan of the Cave Bear* (1986), Director of Photography
- *Flesh + Blood* (1985), Director of Photography
- *The Jewel of the Nile* (1985), Director of Photography — Fi1m 53, [page](https://film.one/film/the-jewel-of-the-nile.md)
- *Madonna: The Virgin Tour Live* (1985), Cinematography
- *Heart of a Champion: The Ray Mancini Story* (1985), Cinematography
- *Bad Manners* (1984), Director of Photography
- *All the Right Moves* (1983), Director of Photography
- *Cujo* (1983), Director of Photography
- *The 4th Man* (1983), Director of Photography — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/film/the-4th-man.md)
- *I'm Dancing as Fast as I Can* (1982), Director of Photography
- *Breach of Contract* (1982), Director of Photography
- *Butcher, Baker, Nightmare Maker* (1981), Director of Photography
- *Roar* (1981), Director of Photography, Camera Operator, Supervising Editor
- *Private Lessons* (1981), Director of Photography
- *Max Havelaar: or, The Coffee Auctions of the Dutch Trading Company* (1976), Director of Photography
- *She* (1976), Cinematography
- *Whistle-Stop* (1975), Director of Photography
- *Katie Tippel* (1975), Director of Photography
- *Dakota* (1974), Director of Photography
- *De blinde fotograaf* (1973), Director of Photography
- *The Family* (1973), Director of Photography
- *Der Filmheld ist der Held des Films – 3 Kürzestfilme* (1973), Director
- *Turkish Delight* (1973), Director of Photography
- *João and the Knife* (1972), Director of Photography
- *Business Is Business* (1971), Director of Photography
- *Blue Movie* (1971), Director of Photography
- *The Wrestler* (1971), Director of Photography
- *Antenna* (1970), Director of Photography
- *Een winterliefde* (1970), Cinematography
- *Joop Strikes Again...* (1970), Camera Operator
- *Drop-out* (1969), Cinematography
- *The White Slave* (1969), Director of Photography
- *De baby in de boom* (1969), Cinematography
- *Carna* (1969), Director of Photography
- *Flinkevleugel* (1969), Cinematography
- *Begrijpt u nu waarom ik huil?* (1969), Cinematography
- *Sabotage* (1967), Cinematography
- *Paranoia* (1967), Director of Photography
- *Sieto tussen kunst en koren* (1966), Cinematography
- *Joszef Katús's Not Too Fortunate Return to the Land of Rembrandt* (1966), Assistant Camera
- *Body and Soul* (1966), Director of Photography
- *Ice Cream Soda* (1966), Cinematography
- *That Way to Madra* (1965), Director of Photography, Editor
- *1, 2, 3, Rhapsody* (1965), Pilot / Moped hero / Fisherman, Director

## Gallery

- ![Jan de Bont](https://film.one/media/person/77574/gallery-98f774c4b9e4.jpg) Jan de Bont — Hans Peters for Anefo, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cb/Jan_de_Bont_%281973%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Jan de Bont at the premiere of the film "Keetje Tippel". Date : 6 March 1975 Keywords : actresses, cameramen, films, prime ministers Personal name : Bont, Jan d](https://film.one/media/person/77574/gallery-ae3dd5d16f0c.jpg) Jan de Bont at the premiere of the film "Keetje Tippel". Date : 6 March 1975 Keywords : actresses, cameramen, films, prime ministers Personal name : Bont, Jan d — Rob Bogaerts for Anefo, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/14/Jan_de_Bont_Katie_Tippel_Premiere_1975.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Jan de Bont](https://film.one/media/person/77574/gallery-44b4a72bcf09.jpg) Jan de Bont — Image via TMDB

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/jan-de-bont