Plot Details: This opinion reveals major details about the movie's plot.

Shoot to Kill (known as Deadly Pursuit in the UK, which I think is a much better title!) is a stylish thriller released in 1988. It stars Sidney Poitier as Walter Stantin, a detective from the big city, who ends up on the trail of a criminal (Clancy Brown) who hides out in the mountains. As security he takes a hostage – Sarah Renell (Kirstie Alley), girlfriend of the local tracker Jonathon Knox (Tom Berenger). When the rescue operation is underway, Stantin and Knox become very unwilling partners in the chase, with Stantin not used to the environment and slowing Knox down at every turn, but refusing to give up. Eventually though the tables will be turned, with Knox out of his depth in the city. Time seems to be running out however and the man they’re after is a pretty ruthless guy…

The plot is little more than a simple hunt of the kidnapper, though there are a few extra elements thrown in, and it ends up being a bit of a buddy movie (I guess with a bit of culture clash thrown in). It works because it is so well acted (Poitier and Berenger are superb) and very well paced. Loads of tension builds up during the action scenes but it’s nicely balanced by some humorous moments. There were a few plot elements that did just seem a little too unlikely, but not enough to ruin the film. While it concentrates mostly on the chase and action, I have to say that the scene where Stantin scares a bear away is one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen in any film. ”Jonathan Knox: I've never seen a grizzly just turn and run like that… Warren Stantin: Everybody else up here acts like they've never seen a black man before. Why should the bear be different?”

Alley gives a pretty good performance and she’s certainly feisty, though considering how ruthless and efficient the villain is supposed to be, she gets a fairly easy ride of it throughout the film. Brown is chillingly effective in his role and his performance underscores the mood of the whole film. He is an enemy we can find appalling, yet at the flick of a switch he can become a charming many you’re never dream could be such a bad guy. The script doesn’t paint him quite consistently because if he really was as ruthless as we’re led to believe, Sarah would simply have been dead very early on. On the other hand a scene where the city cop and tracker turn up the heat on a sleazy crook is brilliantly done, with that one scene making up for most of the shortcomings mentioned above.

The cinematography makes good use of the glorious mountain scenery and the film incorporates elements of tracking and outdoor survival skills in interesting ways, such as Jonathon having to massage some life back into a freezing Walter while they camp out under several feet of snow. The music score is quite techno-inspired, which normally doesn’t work so well in movies (at least not for me), but it adds quite nicely to the mood in this particular film.

Overall Deadly Pursuit (or, Shoot to Kill) is a very effective thriller with some superb actors, great filming, and effective directing. If you like thrillers, and particularly if you like the stars, then this is one movie that’ll have you on the edge of your seat.

Other Information

Director: Roger Spottiswoode (Turner and Hooch, Tomorrow Never Dies)
Runtime: 109 minutes
Rating: 15 (UK) R (USA) – there is a fair bit of violence in the movie and quite a lot of profanity. I could have done without the swearing but it’s still compelling viewing.

The original title was “The Mountain Kings”… probably better than “Shoot to Kill”, though I still prefer “Deadly Pursuit”!!

See also: Top Ten Action / Adventure Movies


Recommended: Yes

Suitability For Children: Not suitable for Children of any age