Nighthawks (1981)

When one of Europe's most lethal terrorists shows up in New York, an elite undercover cop is assigned to take him down by any means necessary.

Directors:

Bruce Malmuth, Gary Nelson (uncredited)

Writers:

David Shaber (screenplay by), David Shaber (story by)

Stars:

Sylvester Stallone, Rutger Hauer, Billy Dee Williams

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sylvester Stallone	...	Deke DaSilva
Billy Dee Williams	...	Matthew Fox
Lindsay Wagner	...	Irene
Persis Khambatta	...	Shakka
Nigel Davenport	...	Peter Hartman
Rutger Hauer	...	Wulfgar
Hilarie Thompson	...	Pam
Joe Spinell	...	Lt. Munafo
Walter Mathews	...	Commissioner
E. Brian Dean	...	Sergeant
Caesar Cordova	...	Puerto Rican Proprietor
Charles Duval	...	Dr. Ghiselin
Tony Munafo	...	Big Mike
Howard Stein	...	Disco Manager
Tawn Christian	...	Disco Hostess

Storyline

Deke DaSilva (Sylvester Stallone) and Matthew Fox (Billy Dee Williams) are two New York City cops who get transferred to an elite anti-terrorism squad. About this same time, an infamous international terrorist shows up in New York City looking to cause some chaos. It's up to DaSilva and Fox to stop him, but will they be in time?

---

Plot Keywords:

pig | female pig | stewardess | grit | troubled production | 

---

Taglines:

Wulfgar, an international terrorist holds the City of New York hostage, but Deke DaSilva, the most dangerous cop known to man, can take him down.

---

Genres:

Action | Crime | Thriller

---

Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

It was during this movie that the relationship between Sylvester Stallone and Joe Spinell ended for unknown reasons. Joe Spinell helped Stallone financially before the latter met fame with Rocky (1976).

---

Goofs

At the beginning of the film, we see 174th Street as the station with a mezzanine and stairs to platform level. The actual 174th Street station in the Bronx has no mezzanine - the two fare control areas are at platform level.

---

Quotes

Matthew Fox: What are the chances that this "Wulfgar" has gone into hiding or retired?
Peter Hartman: Detective Fox, is it? The answer to your question of whether Wulfgar has gone into hiding or retired is neither one. He's only just begun.

---

Alternate Versions

The 2016 Blu-ray release from Shout! Factory restores the use of both Brown Sugar by The Rolling Stones and I'm a Man by Keith Emerson.

---

Connections

Featured in Sneak Previews: Nighthawks/Modern Romance/Heaven's Gate/Excalibur/Napoleon (1981)

---

Soundtracks

Opportunity
Written by Billy Powell (uncredited), Dale Krantz (uncredited) and Barry Lee Harwood (uncredited)
Performed by The Rossington Collins Band (as Rossington Collins)
Courtesy of MCA Records

User Reviews

Hollywood's toughest hero VS Hollywood's meanest villian

Finally, Sly Stallone stars in a film that he really deserves to appear in! He and Billy Dee Williams make a great team as two no-nonsense New York cops who chase Rutger Hauer, who has a great role as a remorseless terrorist (then again, no terrorist has a heart of gold!) Though he's totally unrecognizable with a long beard, Stallone does an exceptionally good performance because unlike his other cop roles, such as Ray Tango from "Tango and Cash", Sly doesn't portray a cocky character, which makes it very realistic. However, our hero doesn't show his muscles in this flick, but, it proves that you don't have to be brawny to be a tough guy.



Hauer is also perfect, playing what he does best, an oily villian. He might look very suave at first in this film, but when he shows his true colors, you better watch out. Last but not least is Billy Dee Williams, who does a cool Roger Murtaughesque cop who relies on his partner Sly to do the job.

If you're in the mood for suspense and good chase scenes, "Nighthawks" is your gameplan. Look out for the great conclusion. It might cause you a great deal of shock!

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English German French Swedish

Release Date:

10 April 1981 (USA)

Also Known As:

Night Hawks

Filming Locations:

Arding & Hobbs department store, 315 Lavender Hill, Clapham Junction, Clapham, London, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$5,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$2,525,360, 12 April 1981

Gross USA:

$14,905,359

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$19,905,359

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures, Martin Poll Productions, The Production Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1