Hudson Hawk (1991)

A cat burglar is forced to steal Da Vinci works of art for a world domination plot.

Director:

Michael Lehmann

Writers:

Bruce Willis (story), Robert Kraft (story)

Stars:

Bruce Willis, Danny Aiello, Andie MacDowell

3 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Bruce Willis	...	Hudson Hawk
Danny Aiello	...	Tommy Five-Tone
Andie MacDowell	...	Anna Baragli
James Coburn	...	George Kaplan
Richard E. Grant	...	Darwin Mayflower
Sandra Bernhard	...	Minerva Mayflower
Donald Burton	...	Alfred
Don Harvey	...	Snickers
David Caruso	...	Kit Kat
Andrew Bryniarski	...	Butterfinger
Lorraine Toussaint	...	Almond Joy
Burtt Harris	...	Gates
Frank Stallone	...	Cesar Mario
Carmine Zozzora	...	Antony Mario (as Carmine Zozorra)
Stefano Molinari	...	Leonardo da Vinci (as Stephano Molinari)

Storyline

Eddie Hawkins, called Hudson Hawk has just been released from ten years of prison and is planning to spend the rest of his life honestly. But then the crazy Mayflower couple blackmail him to steal some of the works of Leonardo da Vinci. If he refuses, they threaten to kill his friend Tommy.

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Plot Keywords:

time bomb | neo screwball comedy | worst picture razzie winner | character name as title | getting out of jail | 

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Taglines:

Catch the Excitement. Catch the Adventure. Catch the Hawk.

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Comedy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language

Did You Know?

Trivia

The most intricate and ambitious scenes filmed in New York City found the film company closing the outbound side of the Brooklyn Bridge for five nights, according to director Michael Lehmann on his audio commentary. From 10 p.m. until 5 a.m., the filmmakers created their own rush hour, with Bruce Willis weaving in and out of treacherous, but painstakingly choreographed, traffic on an out-of-control hospital gurney, which was motorized and controllable and not-freewheeling.

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Goofs

None of the three items by Leonardo da Vinci are large enough to hold the crystals.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Narrator: Long ago, the Duke of Milan commissioned a little known artist to erect a Mammoth statue of a horse. The time was 1481... The artist was Leonardo da Vinci... The guy on the donkey's just a guy on a donkey.

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Alternate Versions

UK version is cut by three seconds to obtain a 15 rating to remove closeup footage of a lock-picking.

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Connections

Referenced in The Nanny: The Show Must Go On (1994)

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Soundtracks

The Name Game
Written by Lincoln Chase & Shirley Ellis

User Reviews

What The...

I'm torn on HUDSON HAWK. After watching it, part of me went, "What the hell was that?" But another part suggested that maybe I wasn't hip enough to "get" what it was trying to do. Part of me thought it was a completely ridiculous waste of time. Part of me thought it was just good, clean fun.

Though certainly not for everybody, there are enough redeeming qualities in HUDSON HAWK to avert its dismissal as a multimillion-dollar turkey. Bruce Willis is Eddie "Hudson Hawk" Hawkins, a cat burglar intent on retiring but who is forced to steal Da Vinci works of art for a (gasp!) world domination plot. Along for the ride are Tommy Five-Tone (Danny Aiello), mysterious nun Anna Baragli (Andie MacDowell) and conniving bad guy George Kaplan (recognize that name?) played by the late James Coburn.

The plot sounds like it could have made for a good DIE HARD-style caper, but director Michael Lehmann had other ideas. As he reveals in the DVD version's audio commentary, HUDSON HAWK was meant first and foremost as a comedy. Trouble is, it was promoted more as a Bruce Willis action blockbuster. Audiences were left scratching their heads as their favorite tough guy engaged in Stooge-like slapstick, sipped cappuccino and, most astoundingly, crooning Crosby classics.

Not that mistaken expectations are the only thing wrong here. Indeed HUDSON HAWK is simply too silly for its own good. The gags frequently fall flat, nearly embarrassing the talented performers involved. The plot is overly convoluted, and Richard E. Grant and Sandra Bernhard as the villainous Mayflowers are a bit hard to take. At its lowest points, you'll be astounded something like this could receive a theatrical release.

To get the most out of HUDSON HAWK, go in with an open mind. It's unlike anything you've seen before -- in both good and bad ways.

Details

Official Sites:

Sony Movie Channel [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English Italian

Release Date:

24 May 1991 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Adventures of Hudson Hawk

Filming Locations:

Hungary

Box Office

Budget:

$65,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$7,082,820, 27 May 1991

Gross USA:

$17,218,080

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$17,218,080

Company Credits

Production Co:

TriStar Pictures, Silver Pictures, Ace Bone

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

CDS (digital 35 mm prints) Dolby SR (analog 35 mm prints)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1