Script review – “The Ultimatum” by Laurence Dworet and Bob Pool (1990)

--> I was keen to read this because of an interview I read with Dworet in a book by William Froug. Dworet was an interesting guy – a doctor who wanted to be a screenwriter and sounded smart as hell and had sold “The Ultimatum” for a high amount. However a look at IMDB reveals he’s only really gotten one credit – Outbreak. It’s a shame this wasn’t made – it’s an exciting thriller about Arab terrorists who threaten to set off a nuclear bomb in an unknown American city. It has extra resonance with everything that’s happened with Al Quaeda. The hero is stock “overworked efficient guy” who neglects the women in his life (surprise). Too much time is spent on a subplot involving his reporter girlfriend who suspects something is going on, and attempts of the White House to keep things secret. There are also too many press conferences and scenes of people watching the news. Many elements are familiar with the old British thriller Seven Days to Noon.