Political double-talk, dirty tricks, hidden microphones, spy satellites, bugging the Oval Office and a nuclear bomb for sale are all ingredients in this swift, funny and frightening look at the possibilities in today's political arenas. Sean Connery stars as TV Newsman Patrick Hale on an international chase to track two suitcase sized nuclear weapons and to uncover the twisting maze of apparent involvement of US Government agencies.
Writing
Brooks' script predicted 24-hour news cycles before they existed.
Acting
Connery's charisma makes nuclear terrorism weirdly watchable.
Director
Richard Brooks
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Released during Reagan's 'evil empire' era, the film bombed because audiences found it too cynical. They hadn't met cable news yet.
Brooks originally wanted Peter Sellers; Connery's improvised one-liners replaced much of the scripted dialogue.
US
