Iron Eagle (1986)

A young pilot plans a rescue mission when his father, an Air Force Colonel, is shot down over enemy territory and captured.

Director:

Sidney J. Furie

Writers:

Kevin Alyn Elders (as Kevin Elders), Sidney J. Furie

Stars:

Louis Gossett Jr., Jason Gedrick, David Suchet

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Louis Gossett Jr.	...	Chappy
Jason Gedrick	...	Doug
David Suchet	...	Minister of Defense
Tim Thomerson	...	Ted
Larry B. Scott	...	Reggie
Caroline Lagerfelt	...	Elizabeth
Jerry Levine	...	Tony
Robbie Rist	...	Milo
Michael Bowen	...	Knotcher
Robert Jayne	...	Matthew (as Bobby Jacoby)
Melora Hardin	...	Katie
David Greenlee	...	Kingsley
Michael Alldredge	...	Col. Blackburn
Tom Fridley	...	Brillo
Rob Garrison	...	Packer

Storyline

When Doug's father, an Air Force Pilot, is shot down by MiGs belonging to a radical Middle Eastern state, no one seems able to get him out. Doug finds Chappy, an Air Force Colonel who is intrigued by the idea of sending in two fighters piloted by himself and Doug to rescue Doug's father after bombing the MiG base. Their only problems: Borrowing two fighters, getting them from California to the Mediteranean without anyone noticing, and Doug's inability to hit anything unless he has music playing. Then come the minor problems of the state's air defenses.

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Plot Keywords:

aircraft pilot | military pilot | fighter plane | jet | two seater aircraft | 

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Taglines:

Doug is 18. Raised on an air base and born to fly. His father has been shot down 6000 miles away, and has been sentenced to death... for the crime of being an American. Everyone's telling Doug to sit tight and wait. Everyone but Retired Air Force Colonel Chappy Sinclair. They know what they have to do. And they've "borrowed" a pair of F-16s to do it. For them, waiting time is over.

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Genres:

Action | Thriller | War

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Certificate:

PG-13

Did You Know?

Trivia

Some of the "Libyan" soldiers at the airbase where Duog's dad are rescued from, are using the Swedish 9mm SMG m/45. Originally developed during WWII. Still in use - but in very small numbers nowadays - within the Swedish Armed Forces. It has also served in US Special Forces as a very simple, easy handled and very reliable SMG. Some period also manufactured on license in Egypt. That's why the "Libyan" soldiers are using it. In The Hot Rock, Robert Redford and one of his mates also carries one each.

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Goofs

The weapons on the F-16 change from one shot to another.

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Quotes

Doug Masters: How can you think with that music on?
Chappy Sinclair: Aw come on, let's see what you got.

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Crazy Credits

The credits are yellow over a blue background, as opposed to the normal white over a black background.

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Connections

Featured in Reel Bad Arabs: How Hollywood Vilifies a People (2006)

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Soundtracks

This Raging Fire
Written by Bob Halligan (as Bob Halligan Jr.)
Performed by The Jon Butcher Axis

User Reviews

If Only I Were Twelve

Ahhh, to be twelve years old again. I'm pretty sure if I was still that age, I would have loved this preposterous medley of bad acting, copious amounts of Queen's "One Vision" and senseless explosions. Sadly (and I do mean that), I've grown up and can recognize IRON EAGLE for what it is... and while it's not god-awful, it's not all that good, either.

IRON EAGLE is the story of new high school grad Doug Masters (Jason Gedrick, whom you'd recognize from CROSSING THE BRIDGE and ONE EYED KING had you ever heard of those movies). His fighter pilot dad has been captured by an evil Middle East country for illegally entering its territory (imagine that!). Now papa's gonna be hung and nobody in the US of A is ready to do anything about... 'cept Doug. So our hero steals military intelligence and an F-16 fighter jet (it's quite easy, really... just get your friends to distract army dudes by 'accidentially' spilling juice on their shirts and stuff). With the help of bright spot Louis Gossett Jr., he soars in to save the day.

IRON EAGLE actually starts out promising. You might even be willing to forgive its ludicrousness, but it gradually morphs into a meaningless series of fireballs and clichéd dialog. It seems perfectly content to dish out cheap thrills to violence-obsessed boys, and do nothing more. It's also too long and at times borders on the laughable. The film still has a certain charm, but unless your night is slower than molasses, you'll want to skip it.

Details

Country:

USA Israel Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 January 1986 (USA)

Also Known As:

Iron Eagle

Filming Locations:

Ramat David Air Base, Israel

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$6,104,754, 19 January 1986

Gross USA:

$24,159,872

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$24,159,872

Company Credits

Production Co:

TriStar Pictures, Delphi Films, Falcon's Flight

Technical Specs

Runtime:

117 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1