Shoot to Kill (1988)

Director:

Roger Spottiswoode

Writers:

Harv Zimmel (story)
Harv Zimmel (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

12 February 1988 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Crime | Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

It's about staying alive.

Plot:

A man is discovered breaking into his own jewelery shop in the dead of night. Questioned closely, it...

Plot Keywords:

Chase | Escape | FBI | Wilderness | Hiking

Cast

Sidney Poitier	...	Warren Stantin
Tom Berenger	...	Jonathan Knox
Kirstie Alley	...	Sarah Renell
Clancy Brown	...	Steve
Richard Masur	...	Norman
Andrew Robinson	...	Harvey
Kevin Scannell	...	Ben
Frederick Coffin	...	Ralph
Michael MacRae	...	Fournier
Robert Lesser	...	Agent Minelli
Milton Selzer	...	Mr. Berger
Les Lannom	...	Sheriff Dave Arnett
Walter Marsh	...	Sam Baker
Frank C. Turner	...	Austin Crilley
Sam Hiona	...	Inspector Hsu (as Samuel Hiona)

Also Known As:

Deadly Pursuit (UK)
Mountain Man (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

109 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) | Dolby SR (35 mm prints)

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Canada:18A (Ontario) | Netherlands:12 | Australia:M | Finland:K-16 | Norway:15 | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | USA:R | West Germany:16

Filming Locations:

British Properties, West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Company:

Touchstone Pictures

Trivia:

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, Frederick Coffin, and Andrew Robinson.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When Stantin is pulling Knox up the side of the cliff the rope is continually taut but in several shots at Knox's end the rope is slack.

Quotes:

[Stantin is made to step into a freezing cold stream]
Warren Stantin: Son of a bitch!
Jonathan Knox: What did you say?
Warren Stantin: I said I hate the damn woods!

Movie Connections:

References Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier (1955)

Soundtrack:

I Love a Parade

Perfect Poitier and Believable Berenger

Sidney Poitier, who was 61 at the time, and Tom Berenger both do exceptional jobs in this movie. Poitier as an FBI agent and Berenger is a mountain guide. Great scenery in Washington state includes Pugent Sound. This is one of the best movies I have ever seen let alone quite possibly the best in this genre. A good blend of action with the chase of the killer from city to mountains to city along with mental clue teasers. If you like movies like "Along Came a Spider", "Manhunter", or "U.S. Marshals" you will enjoy this movie. Well paced with good supporting cast, sets, and music. The killer is not revealed until late in the movie so the suspense is excellent through out it. I hope this comes out on DVD soon.