Sudden Death (1995)

A disgraced former fireman takes on a group of terrorists holding the Vice President and others hostage during the seventh game of the NHL Stanley Cup finals.

Director:

Peter Hyams

Writers:

Karen Elise Baldwin (story), Gene Quintano (screenplay)

Stars:

Jean-Claude Van Damme, Powers Boothe, Raymond J. Barry

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jean-Claude Van Damme	...	Darren McCord
Powers Boothe	...	Joshua Foss
Raymond J. Barry	...	Vice President
Whittni Wright	...	Emily McCord
Ross Malinger	...	Tyler McCord
Dorian Harewood	...	Hallmark
Kate McNeil	...	Kathi
Michael Gaston	...	Hickey
Audra Lindley	...	Mrs. Ferrara
Brian Delate	...	Blair
Steve Aronson	...	Dooley
Michael R. Aubele	...	Ace (as Michael Aubele)
Karen Elise Baldwin	...	TV Director (as Karen Baldwin)
Jennifer D. Bowser	...	Joan
Pat Brisson	...	Player #2

Storyline

Some terrorists kidnap the Vice President of the United States and threaten to blow up the entire stadium during the final game of the NHL Stanley Cup. There is only one way and one man to stop them...

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Plot Keywords:

terrorist | vice president | hostage | explosive | fireman | 

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Taglines:

They said Game 7 would be a war. They didn't know the half of it.

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Genres:

Action | Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for a substantial amount of strong violence, and for language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 December 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

Morte Súbita

Filming Locations:

600 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$35,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$22,000,000 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures, Signature Entertainment, Imperial Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

111 min

Sound Mix:

DTS DTS-Stereo Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Several members of the Pittsburgh Penguins make appearances in the movie. The most prominent member was Luc Robitaille, who scored the game tying goal. Markus Näslund - virtually an NHL unknown at the time, but later a league superstar with the Vancouver Canucks - also appears. The Chicago Blackhawks were played by the Cleveland Lumberjacks (Pittsburgh's IHL affiliate at the time). Ian Moran (a Lumberjack at the time; now in the NHL) played Chris Chelios.

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Goofs

Camera reflected in mirrors on far wall during the shootout in the weights room.

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Quotes

Play-by-Play Announcer: He hit his head on the ice. He hit it so hard that his kids will be born dizzy.

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Connections

Referenced in The Cinema Snob: Crackerjack (2013)

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Soundtracks

"ESPN National Hockey League Theme"
Written by Bob Christianson
Courtesy of ESPN, Inc.

User Reviews

A fairly decent thriller that doesn't try to get cute.

I may be one of those movie buffs who's at least willing to confess that they're not a huge admirer or fan of a certain actor or director. Jean-Claude Van Damme would be near the top of my list of actors that I only admire although I've seen a few films where he has his name is on the poster.

"Sudden Death" is the second film that Van Damme has starred in with photographer/director Peter Hyams ("End of Days", "Timecop") is at the helm.

This film was based on an actual story by Karen Baldwin and is adapted into the story by Gene Quintano.

The movie takes place at the Pittsburgh Civic Arena in Pittsburgh where the Chicago Blackhawks and the Pittsburgh Penquins are about to take the ice for the last game of the Stanley Cup finals. Van Damme's character, Darren McCord, takes his son and daughter to the game. As usual, the arena is packed with fans and the Vice President of the U.S. has come to see the game as well. Unfortunately, Joshua Foss (Powers Boothe), a demented terrorist and a small band of terrorists take control of the Owner's box where the V.P. and several people. Foss demands that he wants a billion dollars and how he wants to use it puzzles me. However, at the end of each period, if his demand isn't met, Foss shoots someone and if the deal isn't done at the end of the game. The arena is blown sky high with several explosives that are set all over the arena.

Boothe is good here and he makes the threat very real, which is key to making any thriller. He also shows some wit and in one particular scene, the Vice President curiously asks Foss "What kind of lunatic are you?" Foss responds - "The best kind."

What draws McCord into the situation is when his daughter is taken up to the Owner's box. From there on, the movie manages to make the excitement to be interesting. One example would be the fight scenes that McCord has with a couple of thugs in the kitchen at two seperate times. Just about every prop is used from the meat slicer to the bone, which goes through one of the neck of a terrorist. Fun and yucky isn't it?

The last half of the film is just about entertaining as the first half is. I'm undecided if "Sudden Death" would make the best thriller that involves a sports event and terrorists since John Frankenheimer's "Black Sunday". Van Damme and Boothe are both good here.