The Hostage Tower: Difference between revisions

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| image = The Hostage Tower.jpg
| image = The Hostage Tower.jpg
| director = [[Claudio Guzmán]]
| director = [[Claudio Guzmán]]
| producer = [[Burt Nodella]]<br />[[Jerry Leider]], [[Peter Snell (producer)|Peter Snell]] (Executive Producers)
| producer = [[Burt Nodella]]<br />'''executive'''<br>[[Jerry Leider]]<br>[[Peter Snell (producer)|Peter Snell]]
| writer = [[Robert Carrington]]<br />[[John Denis]]
| writer = [[Robert Carrington]]
|based on = idea by [[Alistair MacLean]]
|based on = story by [[Alistair MacLean]]<br>Robert Carrington
| starring = [[Peter Fonda]]<br />[[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]]
| starring = [[Peter Fonda]]<br />[[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]]
| music = [[John Scott (composer)|John Scott]]
| music = [[John Scott (composer)|John Scott]]
Line 18: Line 18:
| language = [[English language|English]]
| language = [[English language|English]]
}}
}}
'''''The Hostage Tower''''' is a [[1980 in film|1980]] American [[Spy film|spy]] and [[Thriller(genre)|thriller]] [[telemovie]] starring [[Peter Fonda]] and [[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]], and directed by [[Claudio Guzmán]], well known for his work in sitcoms. It is based on a book of the same name by John Denis, based on an idea by [[Alistair MacLean]]. The book was written deliberately for television adaptation. It is the first in the series of [[UNACO]] books.
'''''The Hostage Tower''''' is a [[1980 in film|1980]] American [[Spy film|spy]] and [[Thriller(genre)|thriller]] [[telemovie]] starring [[Peter Fonda]] and [[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]], and directed by [[Claudio Guzmán]], well known for his work in sitcoms. It is based on a story by [[Alistair MacLean]]. There was a book based on MacLean's story by John Denis which was the first in the series of [[UNACO]] books.


==Plot==
==Plot==
Criminal mastermind Mr Smith ([[Keir Dullea]]) is being pursued by Malcolm Philpott ([[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]]), the head of an international peace organisation. When Mr Smith captures the [[Eiffel Tower]] and kidnaps the mother of the [[President of the United States]] ([[Celia Johnson]]), Philpott must enlist the help of spies to take him down.
Criminal mastermind Mr Smith ([[Keir Dullea]]) is being pursued by Malcolm Philpott ([[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]]), the head of an international peace organisation. Smith draws together a team for a heist including weapons expert Graham and thieves Sabrina and Calrence.
When Mr Smith captures the [[Eiffel Tower]] and kidnaps the mother of the [[President of the United States]] ([[Celia Johnson]]), Philpott must enlist the help of spies to take him down.


Mr Smith demands a ransom of $30 million without which he will blow up the tower and the President's mother. He has protected the tower from infiltration by stealing four high-power [[lasers]] which will shoot anyone entering who is not equipped with a protective device.
Mr Smith demands a ransom of $30 million without which he will blow up the tower and the President's mother. He has protected the tower from infiltration by stealing four high-power [[lasers]] which will shoot anyone entering who is not equipped with a protective device.
Line 38: Line 40:
In the early 1970s, a series of films based on MacLean novels had not performed well at the American box office, including ''[[When Eight Bells Toll (film)|When Eight Bells Toll]]'', ''[[Puppet on a Chain (film)|Puppet on a Chain]]'' and ''[[Fear Is the Key (film)|Fear Is the Key]]''. MacLean decided to focus on American television, collaborating with producer [[Peter Snell (producer)|Peter Snell]] and Jerry Leider.
In the early 1970s, a series of films based on MacLean novels had not performed well at the American box office, including ''[[When Eight Bells Toll (film)|When Eight Bells Toll]]'', ''[[Puppet on a Chain (film)|Puppet on a Chain]]'' and ''[[Fear Is the Key (film)|Fear Is the Key]]''. MacLean decided to focus on American television, collaborating with producer [[Peter Snell (producer)|Peter Snell]] and Jerry Leider.


In 1977 he Leider and Snell suggested MacLean write some story ideas for a series. He prepared eight outlines which dealt with the activities of a crime fighting group <ref>{{cite book|chatper=Introduction by Alistair MacLean|title=The Hostage Tower|first=John|last=Denis|year=1980|publisher=Ballantine Books|page=1}}</ref>
In 1977 he Leider and Snell suggested MacLean write some story ideas for a series. He prepared eight outlines which dealt with the activities of a crime fighting group, the United Nations Anti-Crime Organization (UNACO).<ref name="book">{{cite book|chapter=Introduction by Alistair MacLean|title=The Hostage Tower|first=John|last=Denis|year=1980|publisher=Ballantine Books|page=1}}</ref>


He wrote a 120 page novella called ''[[Air Force One is Down]]'' about top executives of various oil companies travelling in Air Force One when it is hijacked. The idea was turned down by NBC. MacLean then pitched a number of new ideas to networks, each with a 25-30 page treatment. ''The Hostage Tower'' was approved by CBS. The network did request the Eiffel Tower be changed to the Statue of Liberty but MacLean refused, feeling the tower was essential.<ref name="new"/>
He wrote a 120 page novella called ''[[Air Force One is Down]]'' about top executives of various oil companies travelling in Air Force One when it is hijacked. The idea was turned down by NBC. MacLean then pitched a number of new ideas to networks, each with a 25-30 page treatment. ''The Hostage Tower'' was approved by CBS. The network requested the Eiffel Tower be changed to the Statue of Liberty but MacLean refused, feeling the tower was essential, and CBS agreed.<ref name="new"/>


Filming took six weeks starting in October 1979.<ref name="new">Alistair MacLean's Eiffel Tower Drama
Filming took twelve weeks starting in October 1979.<ref name="new">Alistair MacLean's Eiffel Tower Drama
By DAVID LEWIN. New York Times 11 May 1980: D37.</ref> The entire film was shot in Paris with three weeks shooting on the tower.<ref>'The Hostage Tower' Begins Production Work in France
By DAVID LEWIN. New York Times 11 May 1980: D37.</ref> The entire film was shot in Paris with three weeks shooting on the tower itself.<ref>'The Hostage Tower' Begins Production Work in France
Los Angeles Times 15 Nov 1979: g33. </ref>
Los Angeles Times 15 Nov 1979: g33. </ref> Filming dates were arranged so it was shot during the slow season.<ref name="new"/>


The film marked Douglas Fairbanks Jnr's return to screen acting after a long absence, although he had regularly appeared on stage. I've been away so long that nothing feels tempting," he said. "But this one has a quality team and a sense of sharing that is really creative."<ref name="doug">Ex-Swashbuckler Before TV Cameras: SWASHBUCKLER SWASHBUCKLER
The film marked Douglas Fairbanks Jnr's return to screen acting after a long absence, although he had regularly appeared on stage. I've been away so long that nothing feels tempting," he said. "But this one has a quality team and a sense of sharing that is really creative."<ref name="doug">Ex-Swashbuckler Before TV Cameras: SWASHBUCKLER SWASHBUCKLER
Hall, William. Los Angeles Times 4 Jan 1980: e14. </ref>
Hall, William. Los Angeles Times 4 Jan 1980: e14. </ref>


Fontana Books expressed interest in publishing a novel version of the story. MacLean was busy writing ''Athabasca'' so John Denis did the job. The results were well received so Denis then did a novel for ''Air Force One is Down''.<ref name="book"/>
==Trivia==
==Trivia==
* The roles of Mike Graham and Sabrina Carver are later reprised by [[Pierce Brosnan]] and [[Alexandra Paul]] in TV adaptations of ''[[Death Train]]'' and ''[[Night Watch (1995 film)|Night Watch]]'', both [[UNACO]] novels written for the screen. Death Train also featured [[Clarke Peters]] taking over as C. W. Whitlock and [[Patrick Stewart]] as Malcolm Philpott.
* The roles of Mike Graham and Sabrina Carver are later reprised by [[Pierce Brosnan]] and [[Alexandra Paul]] in TV adaptations of ''[[Death Train]]'' and ''[[Night Watch (1995 film)|Night Watch]]'', both [[UNACO]] novels written for the screen. Death Train also featured [[Clarke Peters]] taking over as C. W. Whitlock and [[Patrick Stewart]] as Malcolm Philpott.

Revision as of 13:32, 14 March 2020

The Hostage Tower
Directed byClaudio Guzmán
Written byRobert Carrington
Produced byBurt Nodella
executive
Jerry Leider
Peter Snell
StarringPeter Fonda
Douglas Fairbanks Jr.
CinematographyJean Boffety
Edited byRonald J. Fagan
Music byJohn Scott
Distributed byCBS
Embassy Home Entertainment
Release date
  • May 13, 1980 (1980-05-13)
Running time
105 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$4 million[1] or $5 million[2]

The Hostage Tower is a 1980 American spy and thriller telemovie starring Peter Fonda and Douglas Fairbanks Jr., and directed by Claudio Guzmán, well known for his work in sitcoms. It is based on a story by Alistair MacLean. There was a book based on MacLean's story by John Denis which was the first in the series of UNACO books.

Plot

Criminal mastermind Mr Smith (Keir Dullea) is being pursued by Malcolm Philpott (Douglas Fairbanks Jr.), the head of an international peace organisation. Smith draws together a team for a heist including weapons expert Graham and thieves Sabrina and Calrence.

When Mr Smith captures the Eiffel Tower and kidnaps the mother of the President of the United States (Celia Johnson), Philpott must enlist the help of spies to take him down.

Mr Smith demands a ransom of $30 million without which he will blow up the tower and the President's mother. He has protected the tower from infiltration by stealing four high-power lasers which will shoot anyone entering who is not equipped with a protective device.

Cast

Production

In the early 1970s, a series of films based on MacLean novels had not performed well at the American box office, including When Eight Bells Toll, Puppet on a Chain and Fear Is the Key. MacLean decided to focus on American television, collaborating with producer Peter Snell and Jerry Leider.

In 1977 he Leider and Snell suggested MacLean write some story ideas for a series. He prepared eight outlines which dealt with the activities of a crime fighting group, the United Nations Anti-Crime Organization (UNACO).[3]

He wrote a 120 page novella called Air Force One is Down about top executives of various oil companies travelling in Air Force One when it is hijacked. The idea was turned down by NBC. MacLean then pitched a number of new ideas to networks, each with a 25-30 page treatment. The Hostage Tower was approved by CBS. The network requested the Eiffel Tower be changed to the Statue of Liberty but MacLean refused, feeling the tower was essential, and CBS agreed.[1]

Filming took twelve weeks starting in October 1979.[1] The entire film was shot in Paris with three weeks shooting on the tower itself.[4] Filming dates were arranged so it was shot during the slow season.[1]

The film marked Douglas Fairbanks Jnr's return to screen acting after a long absence, although he had regularly appeared on stage. I've been away so long that nothing feels tempting," he said. "But this one has a quality team and a sense of sharing that is really creative."[2]

Fontana Books expressed interest in publishing a novel version of the story. MacLean was busy writing Athabasca so John Denis did the job. The results were well received so Denis then did a novel for Air Force One is Down.[3]

Trivia

Rachel Roberts was in a great deal of personal turmoil during filming and was worried she would be able to perform. She got through the film with minimal trouble. However she committed suicide not long after filming.[5]

Reception

The Los Angeles Times called it "a preposterous but rather charming piece of escapism."[6]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Alistair MacLean's Eiffel Tower Drama By DAVID LEWIN. New York Times 11 May 1980: D37.
  2. ^ a b Ex-Swashbuckler Before TV Cameras: SWASHBUCKLER SWASHBUCKLER Hall, William. Los Angeles Times 4 Jan 1980: e14.
  3. ^ a b Denis, John (1980). "Introduction by Alistair MacLean". The Hostage Tower. Ballantine Books. p. 1.
  4. ^ 'The Hostage Tower' Begins Production Work in France Los Angeles Times 15 Nov 1979: g33.
  5. ^ Roberts, Rachel; Walker, Alexander (1984). No bells on Sunday : the Rachel Roberts journals. Harper & Row. p. 164.
  6. ^ THE TUBE TONIGHT: ESCAPE VIA 'HOSTAGE TOWER' Brown, James. Los Angeles Times 13 May 1980: h6.
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