Clear and Present Danger (1994)

CIA Analyst Jack Ryan is drawn into an illegal war fought by the US government against a Colombian drug cartel.

Director:

Phillip Noyce

Writers:

Tom Clancy (novel), Donald E. Stewart (screenplay) (as Donald Stewart)

Stars:

Harrison Ford, Willem Dafoe, Anne Archer

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 3 wins & 9 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Harrison Ford	...	Jack Ryan
Willem Dafoe	...	Clark
Anne Archer	...	Cathy Ryan
Joaquim de Almeida	...	Felix Cortez
Henry Czerny	...	Robert Ritter
Harris Yulin	...	James Cutter
Donald Moffat	...	President Bennett
Miguel Sandoval	...	Ernesto Escobedo
Benjamin Bratt	...	Captain Ramirez
Raymond Cruz	...	Chavez
Dean Jones	...	Judge Moore
Thora Birch	...	Sally Ryan
Ann Magnuson	...	Moira Wolfson
Hope Lange	...	Senator Mayo
Tom Tammi	...	Emile Jacobs

Storyline

Jack Ryan is back and this time the bad guys are in his own government. When Admiral James Greer becomes sick with cancer, Ryan is appointed acting CIA Deputy Director of Intelligence. Almost before he can draw a breath in his new position, one of the president's closest friends and his family are murdered in their sleep by what appears to by drug cartels. Ryan is called in to investigate, but unknown to him the CIA has already sent a secret field operative to lead an illegal paramilitary force in Colombia against cartels. Things get even more complicated when his team is set up and he loses an agent in the field and a friend of his wife's, who was the murdered agent's secretary, is murdered that same day. Ryan must then risk not only his career, but his life to expose the truth behind the mystery.

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Plot Keywords:

jack ryan character | good versus evil | drugs | colombia | colombian drug cartel | 

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Taglines:

The war of drugs would lead him to the war of power.

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some intense action/violence and language

Did You Know?

Trivia

Several scenes were filmed in nearby cities of Mexico City: Cuernavaca and Tepoztlan. The scenes in Cuernavaca represent Colombia, when they are drinking coffee and the persecution following that scene. Also, Tepoztlan's Hotel Tepoztlan is where the drug lord lives.

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Goofs

When Clark is at Camp Hunter Liggett evaluating sniper candidates for the mission, candidate Chavez is seen sneaking through the brush and grass toward the observers. Chavez periodically fires his suppressed rifle at a steel target sitting right next to the observers. Ignoring the fact that the sound the rifle makes is way too quiet, the Army would NEVER allow someone to shoot at a target positioned so close to people--much too dangerous.

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Quotes

Admiral Greer: [speaking to Jack Ryan] You want to know about politics in Washington? Four words. Watch your back, Jack.

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Connections

Referenced in Heroes: Chapter One 'A Clear and Present Danger' (2009)

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Soundtracks

Climbing In Geometry
Written and Performed by Will Ackerman (as William Ackerman)
Courtesy of Windham Hill Records

User Reviews

Fully Entertaining

I don't know of anybody who doesn't like this movie, Clear and Present Danger. There was a funny cartoon I once read called Clear and Present Dangerfield which showed Rodney Dangerfield saying "I get no respect from these terrorists!" Very funny. The movie has some cheesy moments and some patriotic moments John Wayne would be proud of. The book and movie are different but the book, like most of Tom Clancy's books are so long that it's not possible to make it into an alike movie. So therefore the movie is focused on the parts with Jack Ryan and the other characters are hardly in it. Henry Czerny comes across as the top supporting actor in it and earned some roles from his solid underrated performance. Donald Moffat plays a two-faced president better than any actor who would have otherwise played him as a straight up mean dictator. Like in the book, the President has no name, he simply goes by the name the President of the United States of America. Philip Noyce does his job well at directing this picture. And of course this is one of Harrison Ford's last great roles since he did a Tom Hanks and has been desperate for an Oscar ever since. Overall, it's a great movie for anyone to enjoy.

Details

Country:

USA Mexico

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

3 August 1994 (USA)

Also Known As:

Clear and Present Danger

Filming Locations:

Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico

Box Office

Budget:

$62,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$20,348,017, 7 August 1994

Gross USA:

$122,187,717

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$215,887,717

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mace Neufeld Productions, Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

141 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital DTS DTS-Stereo SDDS (2003 Re-Release) Dolby Digital (2003 Re-Release)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1