Firefox (1982)

A pilot is sent into the Soviet Union on a mission to steal a prototype jet fighter that can be partially controlled by a neuralink

Director:

Clint Eastwood

Writers:

Alex Lasker (screenplay), Wendell Wellman (screenplay),

Stars:

Clint Eastwood, Freddie Jones, David Huffman

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Clint Eastwood	...	Mitchell Gant
Freddie Jones	...	Kenneth Aubrey
David Huffman	...	Captain Buckholz
Warren Clarke	...	Pavel Upenskoy
Ronald Lacey	...	Semelovsky
Kenneth Colley	...	Colonel Kontarsky
Klaus Löwitsch	...	General Vladimirov (as Klaus Lowitsch)
Nigel Hawthorne	...	Pyotr Baranovich
Stefan Schnabel	...	First Secretary
Thomas Hill	...	General Brown
Clive Merrison	...	Major Lanyev
Kai Wulff	...	Lt. Colonel Voskov
Dimitra Arliss	...	Natalia
Austin Willis	...	Walters
Michael Currie	...	Captain Seerbacker

Storyline

The Soviets have developed a revolutionary new jet fighter, called "Firefox". Naturally, the British are worried that the jet will be used as a first-strike weapon, as rumours say that the jet is indetectable on radar. They send ex-Vietnam War pilot Mitchell Gant on a covert mission into the Soviet Union to steal Firefox.

---

Plot Keywords:

soviet union | refueling | russia | jet fighter | fighter plane | 

---

Taglines:

...the most devastating killing machine ever built... his job... steal it!

---

Genres:

Action | Thriller | Sci-Fi

---

Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Russian

Release Date:

18 June 1982 (USA)

Also Known As:

Firefox - tulikettu

Filming Locations:

Cut Bank, Montana, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$21,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$8,152,948 (USA) (18 June 1982)

Gross:

$8,152,948 (USA) (18 June 1982)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Malpaso Company, The

Technical Specs

Runtime:

136 min

Sound Mix:

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

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The movie's Charity World Premiere was held in Washington, DC, with proceeds aiding a military charity, and was attended by a number of prominent US military figures.

---

Goofs

In the scene where Pytor Baranovich is in the Firefox, Colonel Kontarsky is staring at him, at a short distance away from the Firefox plane. Baranovich looks at him with his head turned to the left. But when the camera has a closer shot of Colonel Kontarsky looking at Baranovich, Baranovich is looking back at him, this time with his head turned to the right.

---

Quotes

First Secretary: Calm yourself, Vladimirov...
General Vladimirov: Calm... calm myself? How can I be calm in your stupidity, STUPIDITY! Losing that aircraft to the Americans... Do you know what this man Gant is? He can land a plane on an ice floe and take off again! You must *ACT*, First Secretary!

---

Crazy Credits

There are no opening credits after the title has been shown. This has since become a trademark of all Eastwood-directed films.

---

Connections

Featured in Clint Eastwood: Director (1982)

User Reviews

Something different for Eastwood

Firefox isn't your usual Eastwood film, he's almost branching out into Star Wars territory here with this Sci-Fi heavy Cold War Spy thriller. The effects like every 80's film have dated badly but for a movie made in 1982 they are rather good. Eastwood directs himself in what is a pretty average performance by his own high standards. The majority of the cast is made up by British character actors. Warren Clarke is really good but Freddie Jones and Nigel Hawthorne are pretty hammy. Also Raiders of the Lost Ark fans can spot Ronald Lacey playing Semelovsky a Jewish scientist. The first half of the film is a spy thriller and can be pretty nail biting at times as Clint gets his papers checked at regular intervals. Also he's suffering from the same post Vietnam War disorder that John Rambo had in First Blood and that really adds to the tension. The second half is more like Star Wars and is really great stuff. So better ice up at a cold one and enjoy Firefox for what it is, Cold War entertainment at it's best.