Patriot Games (1992)

From the pen of Tom Clancy, directed by Philip Noyce comes the Harrison Ford portrayal of Jack Ryan. On holiday in London Jack is on hand when an IRA splinter group lead by Sean Bean tries to kidnap a member of the royal family. Jack gets involved and kills one of the attackers while killing the younger brother of Sean Bean. He is shot during the melee and when he is fit goes home and after the rest of the splinter group see there way to getting Sean Been out of prison the terrorism comes home for Jack Ryan.


I have not read any of the Tom Clancy books but after this film I am tempted to give them a go as they are full of action but try and keep some form of realism. Even if the realism is an extreme and could be considered paranoia and if all true is actually quite scary with terrorists in camps knowing when the satellites are supposed to be going overhead. This level of control, knowledge and the power of the attacks is extreme but makes for some good stories, might read the books and see how they compare to the films.


This film is enjoyable and has some good actors with Harrison Ford facing off against Sean Bean and the two of them playing excellent parts. With support from Anne Archer, Patrick Bergin and an early outing for Thora Birch, Samuel L Jackson and James Earl Jones give this a solid American feel as well. I really liked this film, the message and threat is now out of date but overall is still a fun Terrorist based action adventure film and a 7 out of 10 for me.

Passenger 57 (1992)

A strange title for a film that barely tells you what the film is about and simply relates to the fact that Wesley Snipes is the 57^th person that the stewardess played by Alex Dachter reaches when counting how many passengers are on her flight. The film opens with Wesley Snipes leading a training course as an air marshal and Alex Dachter disarms him and he is upset as he presumes she is not taking the whole thing seriously.

It moves to the fact that they end up on the same flight and this flight also has Charles Rane creepily played by Bruce Payne being transported by the FBI on the same flight. It turns out his men do not want him to be taken where he is going so hijack the flight and then Wesley being the hero feels he has to try and intervene and save the day. With a supporting cast including Tom Sizemore, Elizabeth Hurley, Bruce Greenwood and Robert Hooks. This is an enjoyable action flick from the early 90’s when you had a lot of terrorist plots and it is a good example of this. It has plenty shooting and fighting and also gives Wesley a chance to show what he can do.

I have seen this film many times and it is a really good film to just switch your brain off and enjoy. I really appreciate Charles Rane he is truly creepy and he knows how to manipulate the local law enforcement agencies he is forced to deal with. Overall this is nothing special however it is very enjoyable and I give it a solid 7 out of 10 recommend if you have never seen it.