I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

it is the rare 'crazy' movie that actually has something to say.

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

It is interesting even when nothing much happens, which is for most of its 3-hour running time. Read full review

First of all, several have said this was a dark comedy/political satire. Sorry I just don't see any humor at all in this movie. None whatsoever. I came across it when it was recently broadcast on TV. My first thought was, that it was a low budget made for TV movie from the 70's. Mainly because it had the same level of directing and editing as The Six Million Dollar Man.My second thought was, how did all these big name stars get roped into a such a low budget movie with such a bad script and poor directing. The President's war room set is a bunch of desks that look like they were purchased at Staples during a 10% off sale, with chrome phones from Spencer's Gifts. But even with a better set, the editing is so disoriented and choppy it would still be unwatchableSecondly, there's many claiming this movie was somehow prophetic. As if the writers somehow saw into the future. Well these reviewers are either too young to know or don't remember what was common knowledge the year this film was made. The best selling book, "The CIA and the Cult of Intelligence" was published in 1974, eight years before this film. Terrorist had been threatening to strike American and Israel since the late 60's. Hence the plot.So it's not like the writers magically divined what would happen in the future, they were going off things that were already common knowledge at the time. The operations of the CIA, the terrorist's threats, the back room operations of the Executive Branch aren't something that suddenly happened on 9/11. It was something everyone knew about years before this film was made.Overall, it's like watching a low-budget made for TV movie from the 70's. An overly long episode of "It takes A Thief" or "I Spy". There is no humor, dark or light, nor any satire. The directing, sets, editing and story line are so bad, that no amount of big name actors could pull it out of the toilet.

The fact is the editing is what sunk this film, ultimately. I had always seen minor time gaps that bothered me, especially with Sean Connery in the lead. Leslie Neilson proves he can act without the Police Squad deadpan.That aside, I had to get this film off ebay on VHS to view it again. I'm glad to hear it finally hit DVD shelves. Except for a few bumps in the road, it's still time well spent.-----------------------SPOILER!!!---------------------------------I loved this film when I went to college in '88. Now it seems both a bit lame, but yet, very prophetic. Especially with war in the Middle East and a climax that takes place at the top of the World Trade Center!!!

Although this film is rather coarsely made by todays standards, the subject matter still makes it eminently watchable. It is a black comedy set in the time of much turmoil in the world about oil and its power over people in tandem with the idea that news these days leans toward its being a form of entertainment. The satire is biting and has all of the subtlety of a sledgehammer. It is a very "tongue in cheek" film with a "no holds barred" comedic bent. More of a "slash and burn" type of film making. Sean Connery is Patrick Hale a roving international news reporter, think Christiane Amanpour with a sex change operation. The movie has all of characters which might come out of todays news headlines. There is a funny little joke near the end that Connery tells on himself-not to be missed.

Reporter Sean Connery is hot on the trail of a terrorist seeking nuclear weapons. He's tracked by the CIA and other governmental agencies as well as various media outlets. Everyone manipulates everyone and in the end you're left wondering if there is anyone we can trust either in government or in the media.When first released the film was a seemingly over the top spoof of the media and the governments uneasy relationship. No one could believe that this film was even remotely connected to reality and so they ignored it. I saw this film in a completely empty theater back in 1982. I was all alone and my laughter filled the theater. I thought it was a wicked spoof that took things, like the British Whoops Apocalypse, to a possible but uncomfortable conclusion.After a run on cable this film dropped off the face of the earth and I didn't see it again until 1991 when I rented it during the first Iraq War. The film suddenly was very relevant and despite the fact that the jokes were funny, I couldn't laugh very much because what happened in the film was mirrored by reality.Now, 22 years later, film comes out on DVD as the world is even closer to the type of things that happen in the film. Its still funny, and even more uncomfortable.If you can take a film thats a black comedy that has slightly dated in some ways, but remains right on target with whats going on in the world see this film. Its simply a funny movie thats going to make you see things a little bit differently.