Crazed and ruthless South American revolutionary Roberto Assanti (excellently played with fierce intensity by Miguel Fernandez) abducts folksy American President Adam Scott (a typically fine performance by Hal Holbrook) and holds him hostage in an armored truck that's wired with explosives for a hundred million dollar ransom. It's up to hard-nosed secret agent Jerry O'Connor (the almighty William Shatner in peak rugged form) to rescue the president before things get too out of hand. Director George Mendeluk, working from a tight and absorbing script by Richard Murphy, relates the gripping story at a steady pace and builds a sizable amount of tension. The good acting from a bang-up cast constitutes as a major asset: the usually hammy Shatner shows some restraint for once, Holbrook brings a winning blend of wry humor and amiable dignity to his juicy role as chief executive, and Elizabeth Sheperd adds some class as the loyal, concerned first lady Joan Scott, plus there are nice supporting turns by Van Johnson as wishy-washy vice president Ethan Richards, Ava Gardner as Ethan's bitchy, overbearing wife Beth, Cindy Girling as Assanti's faithful confederate Linda Steiner, Maury Chaykin as bumbling terrorist Harvey Cannon, Michael J. Reynolds as ramrod Canadian police chief MacKenzie, and Gary Reineke as smarmy jerk CIA agent Deitrich. Mike Molloy's slick cinematography makes inspired occasional use of hand-held camera-work and gives the picture an attractive glossy work. Paul Zaza's shivery, rousing score further enhances the suspense and offers a few nifty variations on "Hail to the Chief." A neat little flick.
Review of The Kidnapping of the President
