The Park Is Mine (1986) (TV)

User Rating:

6.0/10   

Director:

Steven Hilliard Stern

Writers:

Lyle Gorch (writer)
Stephen Peters (novel)

Release Date:

3 January 1986 (Canada)

Genre:

Action | Drama | Thriller

Plot:

A vietnam vet (Tommy Lee Jones) takes forceful control of Central Park to remember those who served and died in the Vietnam War. |

Plot Keywords:

Based On Novel

Cast

Tommy Lee Jones	...	Mitch
Helen Shaver	...	Valery
Yaphet Kotto	...	Eubanks
Lawrence Dane	...	Commissioner Keller
Peter Dvorsky	...	Dix
Eric Peterson	...	Mike
Gale Garnett	...	Rachel
Denis Simpson	...	Richie
Reg Dreger	...	Commander Curran
Louis Di Bianco	...	Captain Juliano
Carl Marotte	...	Santini
Dennis O'Connor	...	Sergeant Duffy
Tom Harvey	...	General Bryant
R.D. Reid	...	Policeman on Ledge
George Bloomfield	...	Dr. Mueller

Runtime:

102 min | West Germany:97 min

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15

Filming Locations:

Ontario, Canada

Company:

International Cinema

Trivia:

Despite all the violence depicted in this movie, only three people actually die. Two by gunfire, one by suicide.

Goofs:

Continuity: After arriving on the scene, Eubanks enters the police trailer with his hat in his hand. Switching to the interior of the trailer, Eubanks enters wearing his hat, removing it as he greets the commissioner.

Quotes:

Mitch: The park is mine!

Central Park is now private property… for 72 hours.

Think of Rambo, but more tone down in the violence and having a political angle focusing on how certain situations / individuals are undeservedly swept under the rug. 'The Park is Mine' is a passable, up-tempo little made-for-TV feature. Even with it's firework shows, expensive set-up and unique setting with , it's still merely low scale where at the heart it's all about the one man standing up for the underprivileged. At times it can manipulate, but manages to be respectable and hardly overwrought. It can be a fascinating tussle between Tommy Lee Jones' character and political big-heads, as what eventuates is a circus-show for the crowds and media. Some actions are a bit unbelievable; however you seem to take it with a grain of slat.

A Vietnam veteran takes over the plans of his now deceased war-time buddy (who committed suicide) who had thought-up an idea to take over Central Park for 72 hours, before Veterans Day. He eventually goes ahead and sets the plan in motion, where he doesn't intend to hurt anyone, but to only grab everyone's attention. However some powerful figures don't like this and try to change the situation (by any dirty means) in their favour, so society don't side with the vet and paint them in the wrong. Also a media reporter also finds herself caught up in it all when she tries to get closer to the action.

His definitely gotta plan. Packed with ammo, a lot of ammo. The material is formulaic, but tactically trimmed to suit Steven Hilliard Stern's tidy direction and sustained tension. I found it to get better the further along it goes, as the tricks and themes turn to the real thing. 'The Tangerine Dream' contributes a bellowing score that overwhelms the joint, but I don't believe to be as bad as a lot seem to make sound. Performances shape up pretty well. Tommy Lee Jones superbly instills a hard, tough shell to his character, but one we can feel and root for too. He's no troublesome, or unstable person, but someone that just wants to make a difference. A wonderfully affable Helen Shaver adds plenty of kick to her role and Yaphet Kotto provides some serious class. Lawrence Dane is picture-perfect as the scummy Commissioner.