Nighthawks (1981)
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73% of critics liked it
(15 reviews) -
51% of users liked it
(7,019 ratings)
Deke DaSilva (Sylvester Stallone) and Matthew Fox (Billy Dee Williams) are New York police officers specially assigned to a special multi-national team dedicated to tracking down terrorist Wulfgar (Rutger Hauer). Wulfgar planted a bomb in a London department store, killing several children and he is… More Deke DaSilva (Sylvester Stallone) and Matthew Fox (Billy Dee Williams) are New York police officers specially assigned to a special multi-national team dedicated to tracking down terrorist Wulfgar (Rutger Hauer). Wulfgar planted a bomb in a London department store, killing several children and he is now an outcast, hunted by both the police and his fellow gang members. He has extensive plastic surgery and resumes his activities aided by Shakka (Persis Khambutta), a completely psychotic fellow outcast. Soon DaSilva and Wulfgar are engaged in a violent battle of wits as Wulfgar resumes his terrorist activities and threatens New York . This very effective thriller features a chilling performance by Rutger Hauer as the handsome, ruthless cold-blooded killer who charms women into helping him and then kills them. Sylvester Stallone gives an unusually understated emotionally vulnerable performance as a man trying to save lives while he saves his own marriage. The film makes excellent use of New York locales, particularly during a terrifying hijacking of a cable car where Wulfgar coolly decides which of the hostages will live or die. ~ Linda Rasmussen, Rovi
- Directed By
- Bruce Malmuth
- Written By
- David Shaber
- Genres
- Action & Adventure
- In Theaters
- Apr 4, 1981 Wide
- Studio
- MCA Universal Home Video
Critic Reviews
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Variety Staff, Variety
Though there's never much doubt how the duel will end, the climax is nonetheless surprising and totally satisfying, topping the energy of the previous pursuit.
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, Time Out
A terrorist hijacking a cable car, even in New York, is a mildly ludicrous idea -- were no 747s handy? The plot of Nighthawks makes no sense.
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Janet Maslin, New York Times
All of it is standard stuff, and yet Nighthawks has been assembled with enough pep to make it feel fresh.
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Chase Whale, Gordon and the Whale
Stallone dresses in drag for his first onscreen appearance as a cop. This is one reel bad dude.
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, TV Guide's Movie Guide
This very effective thriller features a chilling performance by Hauer as the emotionless killing machine. Stallone and Williams are also credible, and the film makes good use of its New York locations.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Sylvester Stallone
as Deke DaSilva
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Billy Dee Williams
as Matthew Fox
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Rutger Hauer
as Wulfgar
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Nigel Davenport
as Peter Hartman
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Persis Khambatta
as Shakka
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Lindsay Wagner
as Irene
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Joe Spinell
as Lt. Munafo
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Hilary Thompson
as Pam
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Jim Beaver
as Subway Passenger
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Al Cerullo
as Helicopter Pilot
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Tawn Christian
as Disco Hostess
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Caesar Cordova
as Puerto Rican Proprietor
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Steve Daskawisz
as A.T.A.C. Man
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E. Brian Dean
as Sergeant
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Charles Duval
as Dr. Ghiselin
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Clebert Ford
as Nigerian Ambassador
- Edward Fox
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Jamie Gillis
as Designer
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Yvette Hawkins
as Mrs. Ntembwe
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Al Levitsky
as A.T.A.C. Man
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Walter Mac Neil
as Commissioner
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Robert Pugh
as Kenna
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Luke Reilly
as Conductor
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Thomas Rosales Jr.
as Ripper
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Jacques Roux
as French Ambassador
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Jose Santana
as Ripper
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Howard Stein
as Disco Manager
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Catherine Mary Stewart
as Salesgirl
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Frederick Treves
as Chief Police Inspector
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Luke Walter
as A.T.A.C. Man
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Karl Wickman
as Helicopter Pilot
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Cliff Cudney
as A.T.A.C. Man
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Tony Munafo
as Big Mike
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Dar Robinson
as A.T.A.C. Man
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Jean-Pierre Stewart
as Rene Marigny
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Obaka Adedunyo
as Mr. Ntembwe
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Joe Dabenigno
as A.T.A.C. Man
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Tom Degidon
as Immigration Officer
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Paul Farentino
as A.T.A.C. Man
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Eivind Harum
as Swedish Ambassador
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Brian Osborne
as Orchard
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Walter Mathews
as Commissioner
