Shoot to Kill (Deadly Pursuit) (1988)

100% of critics liked it
(11 reviews)
57% of users liked it
(5,787 ratings)

Sidney Poitier makes his long-overdue return to films in the 1988 thriller Shoot to Kill. Poitier plays an FBI agent, on the trail of an elusive killer. Reluctantly teamed with tracker Tom Berenger, the citified Poitier braves the wilds of the Pacific Northwest in search of his quarry. For Berenger,… More Sidney Poitier makes his long-overdue return to films in the 1988 thriller Shoot to Kill. Poitier plays an FBI agent, on the trail of an elusive killer. Reluctantly teamed with tracker Tom Berenger, the citified Poitier braves the wilds of the Pacific Northwest in search of his quarry. For Berenger, the pursuit is personal; the killer, whose identity is not immediately revealed, has joined a hunting party being guided through the country by the tracker's girlfriend Kirstie Alley. Though only bearing the slightest resemblance to Real Life (you'll love the scene between lifelong city-dweller Poitier and a huge grizzly bear), Shoot to Kill delivers the goods in the suspense department. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 55 min.
Directed By: Roger Spottiswoode
Written By: Daniel Petrie
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense

In Theaters: Feb 12, 1988 Wide
On DVD: Apr 6, 2004

Critic Reviews

Chuck O'Leary, FulvueDrive-in.com
A gripping manhunt thriller that's also part buddy movie and part outdoor, man-against-the-elements adventure. Might have been taken for granted in 1988, but Shoot to Kill is a corker by today's standards.
Kevin Carr, 7M Pictures
Awesome thriller!
Bill Clark, FromTheBalcony
An underrated, well-directed action flick with a superb performance by Sidney Poitier.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Shoot to Kill is a rip-roaring movie from start to finish.
Clint Morris, Moviehole
You'll feel the sweat dripping off your back. Thrilling beyond belief.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Jens S

A truly unique 80s action thriller: in order to chase a killer and diamond thief, an FBI agent (Poitier) has to team up with an expert hiker (Berenger) whose girlfriend (Alley) leads a group of men through the mountains to the Canadian border, among them: the killer. The movie takes… More
A truly unique 80s action thriller: in order to chase a killer and diamond thief, an FBI agent (Poitier) has to team up with an expert hiker (Berenger) whose girlfriend (Alley) leads a group of men through the mountains to the Canadian border, among them: the killer. The movie takes this idea and creates a breathless trip through beautiful scenery, adding lots of action, suspense and guessing which one of the hikers the killer actually is. Additionally, Poitier's performance adds so much humor to the excitement that you won't look at your watch once during the movie. Some minor plot holes at the connection points to the showdown back in civilization don't really ruin the overall perfect impression this movie leaves, especially the first time you see it. A little known gem of the genre. Not only for fans. They just don't make such action thrillers anymore!
Dean M

Good thriller with Sidney Poitier at 63 when the film was shot, looks little more than 40.
Fascade F

A genuine whodunnit classic...one of Sidney Poitier's and Tom Berringer's best team-up to date. A must see.
Barry L

Brilliant movie showing Poitier hadnt lost it.

Cast

            Sidney Poitier as Warren Stantin

            Tom Berenger as Jonathan Knox

            Kirstie Alley as Sarah

            Clancy Brown as Steve

            Richard Masur as Norman

            Andrew Robinson as Harvey

            Kevin Scannell as Ben

            Frederick Coffin as Ralph

            Michael MacRae as Fournier

            Robert Lesser as Minelli

            Ken Camroux as Denham

            Michelle Goodger as Woman with Stroller

            Fred Henderson as Agent Owenby

            Gary Hetherington as Inspector

            Sam Hiona as Inspector Hsu

            Les Lannom as Sheriff Arnett

            Gloria Lee as FBI Agent

            Allan Lysell as Sergeant

            Blu Mankuma as Undercover Priest

            Walter Marsh as Sam Baker

            Kevin McNulty as San Francisco Policeman

            Andrew Rhodes as Purse Snatcher

            Janet Rotblatt as Mrs. Berger

            Milton Selzer as Mr. Berger

            Howard Storey as Fisherman

            William Taylor as Police Captain

            Jerry Wasserman as FBI Agent

            Michael Chapman as Lawyer

            Bill Croft as Washington State Patrolman

            Frank C. Turner as Crilly

            Claire Brown as Mildred

            Darcelle Chan as Nun

            Maryanna Danguy as Couple

            Robyn Masumi Gildemeester as Maid

            Freda Perry as Computer Operator

            Ric Reid as SWAT Sergeant

            Craig Saunders as Couple

            Beatrice Boepple as Nun
See full cast