THE HOSTAGE TOWER
US, 1980, 97 minutes, Colour.
Peter Fonda, Maud Adams, Billy Dee Williams, Britt Eklund, Keir Dullea, Celia Johnson, Douglas Fairbanks Jr, Rachel Roberts.
Directed by Claudio Guzman.
The Hostage Tower is a routine Alistair Mac Lean film. The conception of holding the Eiffel Tower to ransom is large in idea but very routine in practice. There is a rather large star cast which has to mouth generally ordinary, some times ludicrous, dialogue. Peter Fonda leads the film with rather a straight face. Maude Adams is an energetic heroine and Billy D. Williams a genial hero. Douglas Fairbanks Jr. has many of the inane lines, as does Keir Dullea. Rachel Roberts attends Douglas Fairbanks with secretary's devotion. Britt Ekland provides glamour. There is an interesting cameo from Celia Johnston as the clucky mother of the President of the United States. Not up to Mac Lean standards.
1. Entertaining Alistair Mac Lean story? The popularity of his novels? Film versions? Why is this one not to the standard of the others?
2. Colour photography, French locations - with the travelogue touch? Use of Paris, the Eiffel Tower? Special effects, especially laser guns? The musical score?
3. The stereotype characters in this unusual ransom story? The heroes and heroines? Villains? Authorities? Police? The quality of the dialogue?
4. The master criminal - Mr. Smith and his self-esteem, smug glorying in his crimes? His relationship with Leah? Hiring the potential criminals, training them? The capture of the Eiffel Tower? His control? Television interviews and threats? The final betrayal of Leah? The struggle with Grahame? The final capture by Philpott? A credible international villain? Leah as providing glamour and assistance?
5. The sketching of the potential criminals at work - and the humour of their crimes - especially with Sabrina on roller skates? Mike Grahame and his expertise? Sabrina as robber? CM.? The revelation that Sabrina and CM. are agents? The puzzle about Grahame and his C.I.A. connections? Their participation in the training? Interaction? Betrayal of Smith? Contacts with the outside? The link with Grahame? The rescue of Mrs. Wheeler? Grahame and Sabrina saving the Eiffel Tower from explosion? The pursuit of Smith?
6. The background of American authorities and their influence - Philpott and his abilities, contacts, control? The devotion of Sonia? The liaison with the French authorities? With the police?
7. Mrs. Wheeler and her being at the Eiffel Tower, her reaction to capture, her being carried to safety by CM.? Her speech to the world?
8. The background of international terrorism? The credibility of this attempt on the Eiffel Tower?
9. Action sequences? Special effects and stunts? Excitement for this kind of film? Why was it not more successful?
