My review was written in January 1991 after a Times Square screening.
"Hangfire" is a tight little action thriller about a prison break that attempts to serve as a metaphor for the current Middle East crisis, but strains credibility.
Filmmaker Peter Maris had a rather silly actioner last year, "Ministry of Vengeance", about a clergyman who goes to the Middle East as an avenger. Prior to that, he made two fascinating Bs about Libyan terrorism, "Terror Squad" and "Viper".
This time o9ut, except for a wisecrack about Henry Kissinger-style shuttle diplomacy, the film is ostensibly all-American in content. Character actor Lee de Broux, in a bravura performance, in a bravura performance, plays a serial killer/rapist who leads a prison escape in New Mexico as the cons are being transported to safety to avoid toxic chemical clouds after a truck crash near the pen.
De Broux and his minions take over the town of Sonora and hold its 50 or so inhabitants prisoner. The National Guard is called in, led by gung ho Jan-Michael Vincent, who calls up helicopters and even a tank to do battle.
From the opening ghreat of dangerous chemicals to the emphasis on hostages during a confrontation, scripter Brian Jeffries is obviously shooting for bigger bear in this actioner. However, the film succeeds on a literal level, with effective tension, solid thesping and good stunts.
Local sheriff Brad Davis and his Vietnam vet pal Ken Foree (who excels in Maris assignments such as "Viper") are the secret weapons who manage to defeat de Broux and rescue Davis' wife (Kim Delaney) while the military proves largely ineffectual.
De Broux' no-nonsense portrayal of a heinous villain deserves kudos for not romanticizing the character. Vincent's military man is a stereotype, but the rest of the cast, including Lyle Alzado and Lou Ferrigno for comic relief, is effective.
