“Nighthawks” (1981) starring Sylvester Stallone, Billy Dee Williams & Rutgar Hauer / Z-View

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Nighthawks (1981)

Director: Bruce Malmuth

Screenplay:  David Shaber; story by David Shaber, Paul Sylbert

Stars:  Sylvester Stallone, Billy Dee Williams, Lindsay Wagner, Persis Khambatta, Nigel Davenport, Joe Spinell, Tony Munafo, Catherine Mary Stewart and Rutger Hauer.

Tagline: One man can bring the world to its knees and only one man can stop him.

The Plot…

Terrorist attacks across Europe are on the rise.  In response, the United States created the Anti-Terrorist Action Command (ATAC).  Under the direction of British Police Inspector Peter Hartman, the ATAC squad is made up of the best of the best.  Detectives Deke DaSilva and Matthew Fox of the Street Crimes Unit are transferred to ATAC.

When Wulfgar, an international terrorist, claims responsibility for a New York bombing, the ATAC squad knows they must find and end Wulfgar by whatever means necessary.

Soon DaSilva and Fox will get the chance.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

David Shaber’s original script was meant to become French Connection 3.  Popeye Doyle (Gene Hackman) would be teamed with a wisecracking partner.  Hackman didn’t want to return, so 20th Century Fox sold the script to Universal where it was reworked into Nighthawks.

Nighthawks features the American debut of Rutgar Hauer.  Hauer was offered a role in the big budget film Sphinx at the same time as Nighthawks.  His salary for Sphinx would have been much more, but he opted to co-star in Nighthawks.

The original director, Gary Nelson (best known as the director of Freaky Friday and The Black Hole) was the original director.  Nelson was fired after a week of filming.  Bruce Malmuth was Nelson’s replacement.  Since Malmuth couldn’t make the next scheduled day of shooting, Stallone directed the subway chase scene.

Legendary stuntman Dar Robinson was the stunt coordinator on Nighthawks.  Sylvester Stallone did most of his own stunts including hanging from the Roosevelt Island Tramway 250 feet over the East River.

At the time of Nighthawks‘ release many people believed that a terrorist attack on American soil was unrealistic.  Then came the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, the 1995 Oklahoma City Bombing and 2001 World Trade Center attack (to name a few).

Nighthawks original cut was much longer (reportedly 2 1/2 hours vs the 99 minute theaterical version) and more violent.  Scenes with Lindsay Wagner, Rutger Hauer and Persis Khambatta were removed to streamline the film.  To reduce violence, an extended shootout in the disco was cut and the final standoff between Stallone and Hauer was cut.  I would love to see Stallone get a chance to create a new cut of Nighthawks (like he did for Rocky IV).

Some Nighthawks lobby cards/promotional photos show scenes deleted from the film. These include (Think what Stallone could do with these!):

  • Deke and Matthew on a different drug bust
  • Wulfgar and Shaka with a plastic surgeon
  • Deke and Irene at a party
  • Deke and Irene talking inside of her house and in her bedroom
  • A love scene between Wulfgar and Shaka
  • More of the Metropolitan Museum of Art United Nations meeting
  • Deke talking with the French ambassador whose wife was killed by Wulfgar on the tram
  • Deke and Irene holding each other on the stairs of her house after Deke killed Wulfgar

Nighthawks is an under-rated film.

Nighthawks (1981) rates 5 of 5 stars.