Review of Nighthawks (1981) by Ola G — 28 Jun 2009
As New Year begins in London, international terrorist Wulfgar (Rutger Hauer) blows up a department store, killing dozens. Immediately afterwards, he calls the media and boasts of his victory and explains that 'there is no security'. Later that night, his contact leads the police to his doorstep where he shoots them all and escapes. However, Wulfgar's passport falls into Interpol's hands and with the net tightening, he flees to America and undergoes plastic surgery.
Meanwhile, in New York, cops Deke DeSilva (Sylvester Stallone) and Matthew Fox (Billy Dee Williams) are pulled from their regular duty on the decoy squad and ordered to assist the manhunt. Having doggedly pursued Wulfgar across the Atlantic, Interpol agent Hartman (Nigel Davenport) tries to give DeSilva and Fox a crash course in anti-terrorist tactics. But the 'shoot-to-kill' policy that Hartman encourages doesn't go down well with DeSilva who didn't join the force to kill anyone.
The hunt for Wulfgar is picked up when he finally is recognised at a nightclub and gets chased by Da Silva and Fox. Wulfgar escapes yet again and his next target is a gathering of international politicians.
Wulfgar and his associate Shakka Holland (Persis Khambatta) hijacks a Roosevelt Island cable car containing these foreign dignitaries.
Da Silva and Fox needs to take out Wulfgar without any more casualties...
This is a great and underrated action cop thriller. Love Stallones and Williams characters, Deke Da Silva and Matthew Fox. Just the names are brilliant! And the clothes.. and that Stallone still has his stormproofed hairdo.. Love the script, feels stills very much up to date.. Great music that reminds me of Lalo Schifrin.. Great direction that maintains the intensity throughout the movie.. Great lineup with Stallone, Williams, Hauer and Lindsay Wagner (she is hot!). Hauer is great as Wulfgar I must say. This is from the time when Rutger RULED! And the MAC-10 is still a very visual and appealing weapon if one can say that.. I like "Nighthawks" very much!
This review of Nighthawks (1981) was written by Ola G on 28 Jun 2009.
Nighthawks has generally received mixed reviews.
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