Firepower (1979)

User Rating:

4.6/10   

Director:

Michael Winner

Writers:

Bill Kerby (story)
Gerald Wilson (writer)

Release Date:

April 1979 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Drama | Thriller

Plot Keywords:

One Word Title | Independent Film

Cast

Sophia Loren	...	Adele Tasca
James Coburn	...	Jerry Fanon / Eddie
O.J. Simpson	...	Catlett
Eli Wallach	...	Sal Hyman
Anthony Franciosa	...	The doctor Charles Félix
George Grizzard	...	Leo Gelhorn
Vincent Gardenia	...	Frank Hull
Fred Stuthman	...	Halpin
Richard Caldicot	...	Calman
Frank Singuineau	...	Manley Reckford
George Touliatos	...	Stegner
Hank Garrett	...	Oscar
Conrad Roberts	...	Lestor
Billy Barty	...	Dominic Carbone
Jake LaMotta	...	Nickel Sam

Runtime:

104 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Australia:M | Finland:K-16 | Norway:16 (1979) | USA:R | West Germany:16 | UK:A (original rating) | UK:15 (video rating)

Filming Locations:

Antigua, Antigua and Barbuda

Company:

Incorporated Television Company (ITC)

Trivia:

Originally written for a Dirty Harry sequel.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Exterminator (1980)

Soundtrack:

The Theme from Firepower

To Get The Richest Man

Sophia Loren is out for revenge and the FBI wants to get one of the world's richest men who is a Howard Hughes like recluse. This guy put out a hit on her husband who was blown up in a laboratory with a mail bomb. What to do, but call in the FBI in the person of Vincent Gardenia.

But getting the Hughes like gazillionaire ain't easy so the FBI calls in a consultation with the Mafia as represented by Eli Wallach. Lots of Firepower will be needed, but even more brains. The best guy for the job is independent contractor James Coburn who sets out to storm the rich guy's fortress on Antigua.

The nice Caribbean location and the chance to see a few movie names are the only reason to see this ridiculous action thriller. Both Clint Eastwood and Charles Bronson turned this one down and poor James Coburn was left holding the bag. Bronson, who worked with director Michael Winner on any number of projects, left this cold, so you know he was hearing the faint sounds of Thanksgiving.

Even Anthony Franciosa, one of the most underrated players ever, looks ridiculous in this as the doctor feel good to the rich and reclusive. Add to that Billy Barty as a midget mob boss and you get the idea how ridiculous this one is.

Unless you like all the stars like I do and want to see O.J. Simpson get what's coming to him, stay away from Firepower.