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Nighthawks | Year: 1981 Classification: Action Country: USA Directed: - Sylvester Stallone - Gary Nelson - Bruce Malmuth Actors/Actresses: - Sylvester Stallone - Rutger Hauer - Billy Dee Williams - Lindsay Wagner One of Sly's best (No cheeky comments in this review!!) NIGHTHAWKS has got to be one of my fave Stallone movies. I know I've taken the mickey out of him on numerous occassions, but this is pretty good, despite being a bit dated. Directed by Bruce Malmuth (HARD TO KILL) and with music by Keith Emerson of ELP, NIGHTHAWKS is a fast paced and exciting thriller which will have viewers overlooking its plot inconsistancies.<BR>Rutger Hauer plays Wulfgar, a terrorist who heads to NYC to play a game of cat and mouse with the cops. Cops Deke DaSilva (Sly) and Matt Fox (Billy Dee Williams) are assigned the task of tracking him to London and New York to stop his reign of terror. Unfortunately Wulfgar always manages to remain a step ahead of them... most of the time. <BR>There's not much of a plot, but from the opening credits NIGHTHAWKS hooks the viewer. Early on we get to see the almost unrecognizable Sly in drag... until the beard gives him away. There are also some great stunts at the climax where Wulfgar has a group of cable car passengers held hostage. The movie also co-stars the late Persis Khambatta (best known as the bald alien Ilia in STAR TREK 1) as Wulfgar's partner; an especially delectable Lindsey Wagner as Sly's girlfriend and last but not least; as a fashion designer, Jamie Gillis; ... Why he hasn't won a slew of Oscars is beyond me.<BR>The DVD quality is actually pretty good, the picture is sharp and the sound clear. The few extras include the movies trailer and subtitles. But at this price it's a good bargain for those who want to update their VHS copies. A small gem This film plays a bit like an 80s French Connection. Sylvester Stallone stars in a low-key role that works very well but didn't seem to resonate with audiences the way his Rocky did. He's quieter, human, and intense. Nighthawks (a rather nonsensical title) concerns international terrorist Wulfar (Rutger Hauer's American film debut), now persona non grata among major terrorist networks after an overdone IRA-commissioned bombing in London, fleeing to New York in order to garner maximum publicity and sell himself back to major terrorist organizations. Sensing the terrorist-for-hire's power play hopes, and guessing that New York would be the likely target, a British Interpol officer travels to the city in order to brief chosen police officers in counter-terrorist tactics as part of ATAC (Anti-Terrorist Action Command). Part of the chosen officers include Sgt. Deke DaSilva (Stallone) and his partner Sgt. Matt Fox (Billy Dee Williams). Both are reluctant to change duties and are not serious about training, and DaSilva has reservations about risking civilians in a hostage situation. What follows is a cat-and-mouse through New York that features a couple of exciting and well-filmed sequences. While it seems a bit far-fetched that DaSilva and Fox would bump into Wulfgar one night in a crowded disco, the action scenes make up for it and highlight New York locations well. Especially memorable is the hijacking of the Roosevelt Island tram car. (I can't look at it today without thinking of this film). The performances are solid across the board. Stallone is engaging in the lead and is quieter than we're used to. The supporting cast includes veteran character Joe Spinell as a surly police lieutenant, Lindsay Wagner as DaSilva's estranged wife, the dusky Persis Khambata as Wulfgar's ruthless aid, and Nigel Davenport as Hartman, the Interpol officer. Rutger Hauer is perfect as the sly and suave terrorist. His talents would be highlighted in films like Blade Runner, Flesh and Blood, and The Hitcher over the years, though unfortunately he seems to have fallen to straight-to-video material in the last 10 years. The DVD is a little bit underwhelming. For one, it's not in widescreen, which is a real shame. The full-screen treatment does not do justice to the NYC locations, especially the aerial shots of the tram and the ATAC chopper, or the opening subway encounter. The picture is good but rather grainy, and the sound is fine, better than the VHS version. The extras include some c CULT MOVIES 27 27. NIGHTHWAKS (action, 1981) Europe's most feared international terrorist Wulfgar (Rutger Hauer) has marked NY City as his next target. Two tough NY undercover cops, DaSilva (Sylvester Stallone) and partner Fox (Billy Dee Williams), are assigned to a special task force sent to terminate Wulfgar. They're frustrated, however, as their quarry proves more cunning and smart than the usual lowlifes they're used to dealing with. A climactic cat and mouse chase ensues leaving Fox wounded and Wulfgar holding UN diplomats hostage. DeSilva manages to diffuse the situation but Wulfgar again escapes. DeSilva, now alone, goes after the desperate terrorist who's on the run. Critique: Unusually gritty Stallone action vehicle didn't prove successful or widely distributed. Nevertheless, it features his best starring role and it's a shame most fans haven't been able to pick it up yet. Sporting a 'Serpico'-like beard, Stallone cuts down on the gung-ho poses that 'Rambo' and 'Rocky' fans have come to get bored of. Though not a total dud DeSilva is still a rogue cop who predictably goes over his superiors orders. The film's international background (which includes scenes shot in Europe and use of subtitles) give it class and sense of time. It's funny to see how NY cops interact with foreign 'agents' and this new international scene. The teaming of Williams and Stallone proves surprisingly effective, counter-pointing suaveness and toughness. Also outstanding is Rutger Hauer's wicked terrorist Wulfgar (his debut American role). He shows the evil mindness that would dominate his later screen personas. Smart ending too. QUOTES: Wulfgar: "We're not that different (DeSilva). I don't enjoy killing, but it's my job. Someone has to do it." Low-key Stallone in a good film This is one of Sylvester Stallone's best films. Unfortunately, it is not well-known and only occasionally plays on television. It's a simple "cop chases terrorist" story line, but it is extremely well done with terrific performances from a lower-key Stallone, Billy Dee Williams as his partner, and Rutger Hauer as the terrorist "Wulfgar." Good support is provided by Lindsey Wagner and genre-vet Joe Spinell. The bulk of the film takes places in New York City and the use of real locations is great, particularly the Roosevelt Island tram. The only negative is Keith Emerson's dated and sometimes overbearing score. The Goodtimes DVD is just fair, with a full screen presentation of the film that, frankly, should have been presented in widescreen format. The trailer and some brief production notes are the only extras. Some other reviewers have suggested that you pass on this DVD. I disagree; this is one of those older films that Universal licensed to Goodtimes and it's questionable as to whether this film will ever get some other DVD treatment in the future. If you want to see to Stallone at his best, put this film in your collection. Buy Nighthawks at Amazon.com Buy posters at Allposters.com Jamster - the latest ringtones for your phone!  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