Nighthawks [DVD]

***This review may contain spoilers*** This movie has really risen to be one of my absolute favorite Sylvester Stallone films, and of course I have been really on quite a big Stallone movie binge the last couple years especially owning the first five Rocky movies on VHS, as well as the Rambo series, Cobra, Tango & Cash, Cliffhanger, etc. Well anyhow, "Nighthawks" is definitely one of the most underrated films in Stallone's film cannon, and is also one of his best in my opinion as well I might add. Directed by Bruce Malmuth (who also directed the Steven Segal classic "Hard to Kill"), "Nighthawks" is an excellent high tension, cat-and-mouse-like, psychological 80's cop thriller that immediately begins with a huge bang, and the intensity never lets up. Words just can't describe how much I love this movie, I mean, it is just a classic. I remember first seeing it for the first time back in 2013, and just being a fan of Sylvester Stallone and his movies, "Nighthawks" here is actually one of Sly's first actioners that he ever did even before successful blockbusters such as "First Blood", "Cobra", "Tango & Cash", and continuing with the "Rocky" series as well. The film begins in New York City when three armed assailants prepare to mug and attack a woman who turns out to be NYPD Detective Sergeant Deke DaSilva (Stallone) in disguise, and he and his partner Matthew Fox (Billy Dee Williams) successfully immobilize and incapacitate the thugs. Also that day in London, European terrorist Heymar Reinhardt aka "Wulfgar" (Rutger Hauer) bombs a department store, and moments later claims responsibility for the bombing via telephone call to the international press. Later on, Wulfgar then relocates to New York City to demonstrate his own brand of intimidation through violence. Afterwards, both DaSilva and Fox are both assigned to a newly organized anti-terrorist task force group known as ATAC (Anti-Terrorist Action Command) trained by Interpol agent Peter Hartman (Nigel Davenport) who tutors the group on anti-terrorism tactics, as well as some crash courses on getting into Wulfgar's mind. At first, DaSilva doesn't agree with Hartman's methods, and they both clash with each other since Hartman believes that American police officers aren't ruthless and vicious enough to deal with a terrorist such as Wulfgar. Despite his hesitation to condone killing Wulfgar, DaSilva slowly absorbs through his newly aquired training and begins to understand Wulfgar, including his obsession for press coverage of his terrorist exploits. Wulfgar also moves in with a flight attendant named Pam (Hilary Thompson), and then later kills her when she discovers his arsenal. Upon hearing about Pam's death from Lt. Munafo (Joe Spinell) over the phone, DaSilva and Fox are both ordered to search every nightclub she had visited including one in particular where both she and Wulfgar first met. There, the duo find Wulfgar, and after an intense staredown between DaSilva and Wulfgar, a brief shootout soon followed by a lengthy foot chase ensues through the streets and subway tunnels in which of course Wulfgar later escapes by slashing Fox's face with a knife, and an enraged DaSilva vows to kills the terrorist afterwards. Fox also criticizes DaSilva for not shooting Wulfgar whom earlier took a woman hostage at knifepoint and used her as a shield in the subway thus preventing DaSilva from taking a clean shot. Days later, The ATAC squad are guarding a United Nations party at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, but however, Shakka Holland (Persis Khambatta), Wulfgar's associate infiltrates the party in disguise, corners Hartman on an escalator and shoots him to death. Later on, Wulfgar and Shakka both hijack the Roosevelt Island tram car, where Wulfgar kills the French Ambassador's wife, and later demands a young infant to be taken off of the tram car in which DaSilva does, and then Wulfgar also demands for a bus to escort him, Shakka, and the hostages to an airport, where a jet airplane will be waiting for them. However DaSilva is ready, and when the dangerous duo are boarding the bus, he plays a hidden tape recording of a Hartman lecture denouncing Shakka, and then a gunfight ensues with Shakka getting killed in the line of fire, but Wulfgar escapes by driving the bus into the East River. Later on, Wulfgar heads to the home of DaSilva's ex-wife Irene (Lindsay Wagner). Breaking inside, he then prepares to sneak up on Irene, and intend to kill her, but however, to Wulfgar's shock and surprise, when "Irene" turns to face him, suddenly revealing to be DaSilva in disguise: blonde wig, woman's robe and all. DaSilva then proceeds to fire two huge gunshots at a lunging Wulfgar thus sending him crashing into the street as he dies. All in all, I found this movie to be an all around excellent, gritty, high tension, and high quality, psychological cop thriller from start to finish, and is definitely one of the most underrated films to ever come out of the 80's, and even though it doesn't really rely on a lot of shoot'em up style kind of action like in the Dirty Harry films for instance, but it relies rather mostly on slowly high tension and psychological suspense, and that's exactly what this movie here is filled with. Even though, this film was made in 1981, it really has a lot of aesthetics of a 1970's cop flick including the funky street wise vibe music, and the Al Pacino Serpico-like beard that Sly sports here. The acting is also worth mentioning here as well. Stallone himself, leads the cast very well throughout, doing an all around excellent portrayal of main protagonist and NYC cop Deke DaSilva, giving in my opinion one of his absolute best and most underrated performances ever. He really makes DaSilva a very tough, and gritty NYC cop who also has principles and morals, and stays true to who he is, and he goes after crime so intensely and fiercely especially during his pursuit of Wulfgar, and the animosity between those two characters is what really drives the film forward, and that electrifying, psychological edge that they both work off of each other just makes it so compelling. You also got Billy Dee Williams who plays DaSilva's partner Sergeant Matthew Fox who also does an excellent job holding his own throughout the film, and he can be a solid, and very serious cop when business picks up, but he also can be light hearted at certain moments as well. We also have Lindsay Wagner who plays Deke's ex-wife Irene, and of course Persis Khambatta playing Wulfgar's associate Shakka Holland, and also Nigel Davenport is also solid as the British Interpol agent Peter Hartman as well. Rutger Hauer meanwhile, really steals the show here with his cool, yet very chilling performance as Wulfgar. Now speaking of Hauer, this guy has always shown his talented brilliance in films that have stood the test of time whether it be "Blade Runner", "The Hitcher", or "Ladyhawke", and his portrayal as Wulfgar is just no exception. He brings such a nice, cold, and calculating sophistication to this international terrorist who is a firm believer in what he's doing, and what makes Wulfgar more immensely dangerous is that he's not just a random hired gun who does it for money, but he believes in the causes that he's fighting for. There's no question whatsoever that he really has that intensely dangerous, and psychological mindgame that he has going on throughout the film when he get entangled with DaSilva, it suddenly turns into a cat-and-mouse game of wits between the two, and the tension and suspense just builds throughout. Now about this new Shout Factory Select Collector's Edition Blu-Ray edition, it is great. The overall picture is just crisp and clean throughout. The best thing about this new version that I like to point out is that the film's full original soundtrack which was performed by Keith Emerson is finally restored in it's complete entirety, including the songs "Brown Sugar" by the Rolling Stones, and Emerson's fantastic cover of Spencer Davis Group's "I'm a Man" (both which were completely absent on the 2004 Universal DVD version) are both featured during the classic disco nightclub scene in which DaSilva and Wulfgar both exchange intense stares with each other. Also included are the film's theatrical trailer, radio spots, as well as a still gallery of production photos, exclusive interviews including one with Lindsay Wagner, and one with Catherine Mary Stewart (who also has a small role as a London department store sales girl) as well. Anyways, I highly recommend this excellent Blu-Ray edition of "Nighthawks" to any fan of Sylvester Stallone or Rutger Hauer, and anyone that enjoys good ol' classic cop thrillers like myself...Great job Shout Factory!!! Jeremy

This movie is one of my favorite Sylvester Stallone films. I'm really happy that I can watch this movie many times I could. Best movie from the early 1980s.

Fun movie from the early ‘80’s. Purchased it to have in my collection..

Good movie

Rutger Houer. delivered on time.

Great classic action film! Stallone, Williams and Hauer give great acting. Recommended for those who enjoy classics from yesteryear! 👍🏼👍🏼

I am not a big fan of Sylvester. I saw this movie years ago and thought it was fantastic. It takes on the heavy topic of terrorist warfare. The acting is excellent and the story flows naturally. I highly recommend this film.

A true classic movie that's worth adding to any collection of a stallon fan excellent features good picture quality

Es una buena película, Sylvester Stallone y Rutger Hauer donde un par de detectives tienen que capturar a un terrorista. Contiene Audio original en inglés surround Subtitulada al español únicamente Widesscreen anamorfico una buena pieza para la colección, el envío como siempre excelente.

Good movie classic story

Two screen legends in their primes face off ! An awesome film showcasing the great talents of Sly stallone and Rutger hauer (RIP) at their peek with strong supporting roles from Billy Dee Williams and Lindsey Wagner plus others. Great performances all round ! Great locations, gritty, great acting and action ! Rutger Hauer plays Wulfgar, a cold hearted terrorist with no remorse or conscience. Stallone plays Deke de Silva, a tough streetwise cop with keen senses that gets drafted to a special police counter terrorist unit and hates it but ultimately recognises Wulfgar when Wulfar's guard is down ! A great game of cat and mouse ensues !

Recibí el producto en un corto tiempo, en excelentes condiciones, estoy muy satisfecha. Lo recomiendo al cien por cien. Gracias

This is a time capsule for 80’s crime flicks, most significant for the late Rutger Hauer’s Hollywood debut. As compelling and cold as the late Alan Rickman’s Hollywood début in Diehard, Hauer’s character is prescient as an urban terrorist striking at the hearts of London and New York to extort the release of other well known terrorists. An excellent portrait of a stone cold and politically motivated killer. Stallone and Billy Dee make a good pair and keep the drama and action moving. A very good little flick.