Monday, March 07, 2011

Script review – “Clear and Present Danger” (1991 draft) by John Milius

Interesting to compare with the later film, and much more faithful to the novel: it’s got a longer introduction, discovering the murders on the boat, including the fake hanging sequence from the book; the part of Jack Ryan is greatly reduced (he isn’t in the ambush – actually he’s not really needed for the story to work, Clark could have done it all); Dan Murray doesn't die; the ending is different – actually it’s all different. The best bit is when the Americans go on their mission and start shooting people then it goes haywire. I also really liked the ending where Cortez kills Cutter in Washington out of revenge or what Ryan's done, but is then killed himself by some drug addicted kids who mug him. Other than that it’s not too involving – I liked the film, and believe they were right to make the changes they did, especially departing from the novel.

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