Patriot Games
by Robbo
Posted on 24 June 2021
Rating -
Patriot Games is a 1992 American action thriller film directed by Phillip Noyce and based on Tom Clancy’s 1987 novel of the same name.
The film is a sequel to the 1990 film The Hunt for Red October, but with different actors in the leading roles, Harrison Ford starring as Jack Ryan and Anne Archer as his wife.
James Earl Jones reprises his role as Admiral James Greer.
Retired CIA analyst Jack Ryan (Ford) is on vacation with his family in London. Ryan and his family witness an assassination attempt on Lord William Holmes, Minister of State for Northern Ireland, only for Ryan to intervene.
Injured in the attack, Ryan kills two of the assailants, one being 16-year-old Patrick Miller, while his older brother Sean looks on. The remaining attackers flee as Sean is apprehended by the police. While recovering, Ryan is called to testify in court against Miller, who is part of a splinter cell of the Provisional Irish Republican Army. Miller is convicted for his crimes and swears revenge against Ryan.
While being transferred to HM Prison Albany on the Isle of Wight, Miller’s escort convoy is ambushed by his comrades, including O’Donnell, who execute the police officers and coordinate an escape. Miller and his companions flee to North Africa to plan another kidnapping attempt on Lord Holmes. Miller persuades several members of the group to accompany him to the United States, where he plans to eliminate Ryan and his family.
Annette and fellow terrorist Ned Clark attempt to assassinate Ryan outside the United States Naval Academy and henchman attack Ryan’s pregnant wife Cathy and their daughter Sally on a busy highway, injuring them both.
Enraged over the attack on his family, Ryan decides to go back to work for the CIA, having earlier rejected the appeal of his former superior, Vice Admiral James Greer.
Ryan’s analysis leads him to conclude that Miller has taken refuge in a training camp in North Africa and a Special Air Service team kills everyone in the camp. Unbeknownst to Ryan, Miller and his companions have left the camp and are on their way to the U.S. to stage their next attack.
Lord Holmes decides to visit Ryan at his home to present his honorary knighthood in recognition of his role in foiling the first attack on Holmes. Miller’s group tracks Holmes to Ryan’s coast-side home in Maryland and make an attempt to kidnap Lord Holmes.
There was some controversy when Tom Clancy disowned the film claiming it was too different form the book. Having never read the book I can only comment on the film.
Patriot Games is an accomplished action film with a solid performance, as you would expect from Harrison Ford who is completely convincing as Jack Ryan.
The film is completely absorbing from start to finish, there are no scenes that don’t keep the story moving along.
Patriot Games is well written, well directed and well acted with all supporting actors giving believable performances.
This is not my favourite Jack Ryan film, that would be The Hunt for Red October, but it is an entertaining distraction for a couple of hours.
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