Shoot to Kill (1988 film)

Shoot to Kill

Theatrical release poster
Directed by Roger Spottiswoode
Produced by Daniel Petrie, Jr.
Ron Silverman
Screenplay by Harv Zimmel
Michael Burton
Daniel Petrie, Jr.
Story by Harv Zimmel
Starring
Music by John Scott
Cinematography Michael Chapman
Edited by George Bowers
Garth Craven
Production
company
Distributed by Buena Vista Pictures
Release dates
  • February 12, 1988 (1988-02-12) (USA)
Running time
 109 minutes
Country United States
Language English
Box office $29,300,090

Shoot to Kill (known outside North America as Deadly Pursuit) is a 1988 American adventure crime thriller film starring Sidney Poitier, Tom Berenger, Clancy Brown, Andrew Robinson and Kirstie Alley. The film was directed by Roger Spottiswoode.

Plot

A man is discovered breaking into his own jewellery shop in the dead of night. Questioned closely, it is discovered that his wife is being held hostage at their home by Steve, a brutal extortionist who demands the diamonds in the shop's safe in exchange for the woman's life. After Steve kills the family maid, FBI agent Warren Stantin (Sidney Poitier) hands over the diamonds, but Steve kills the jeweller's wife anyway, and escapes. Feeling that he has failed, Stantin becomes obsessed with finding Steve, and he chases Steve into the rugged forests of the state of Washington, where Steve joins up with a group of sportsmen who plan to trek into the wilderness on a fishing trip. Steve's plan is to kill them and force their guide, Sarah (Kirstie Alley), to lead him through the wilderness to the Canada–US border.

Stantin must team up with Sarah's mountain-man boyfriend Jonathan Knox (Tom Berenger) to pursue Steve. Jonathan does not believe city slicker Stantin can keep up on a tough cross-country hike that includes some rock climbing, and Stantin is determined to prove himself. They pursue Steve and Sarah into the wilderness and eventually to the streets of Vancouver. The movie also featured a chase scene aboard the BC Ferries Queen of Vancouver. After a long chase, Stantin manages to shoot Steve in an underwater struggle.

The killer's identity is not revealed until midway through the film. He attempts to evade detection by killing a member of a hiking expedition and taking his place. To keep the audience guessing as to the true identity of the villain, some of the hikers were played by actors known for playing bad guys: notably Clancy Brown (Highlander), Frederick Coffin (Mother's Day), Andrew Robinson (Dirty Harry) and Richard Masur (the vicious drug dealer in Who'll Stop the Rain).

Main cast

Reception

Critically well received, the film currently holds a rare 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.[1][2][3][4]

Box office

The movie was a box office success.[5][6]

References

  1. ↑ Maslin, Janet (1988-02-12). "Movie Review - Shoot to Kill - Film: 'Shoot to Kill'". NYTimes.com. Retrieved 2013-10-15.
  2. ↑ "Shoot to Kill (Deadly Pursuit)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 2013-10-15.
  3. ↑ Ebert, Roger (1988-02-12). "Shoot to Kill Movie Review & Film Summary (1988)". Roger Ebert. Retrieved 2013-10-15.
  4. ↑ Benson, Sheila (1988-02-12). "MOVIE REVIEW : Aim Is Off on 'Shoot to Kill' - Los Angeles Times". Articles.latimes.com. Retrieved 2013-10-15.
  5. ↑ Mathews, Jack (2006-11-30). "WEEKEND BOX OFFICE : 'Shoot' Leads Black Film Group - Los Angeles Times". Articles.latimes.com. Retrieved 2013-10-15.
  6. ↑ Cieply, Michael (1988-02-19). "3 Black-Keyed Films a Hit and a First at Theater - Los Angeles Times". Articles.latimes.com. Retrieved 2013-10-15.
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