Shoot to Kill (1988 film)

Shoot to Kill (known outside North America as Deadly Pursuit) is a 1988 American adventure crime thriller film directed by Roger Spottiswoode and starring Sidney Poitier (in his first role in ten years), Tom Berenger, Clancy Brown, Andrew Robinson and Kirstie Alley.

Plot
A man is discovered breaking into his own jewelry shop in the dead of night. Questioned closely, it is discovered that his wife is being held hostage at their home by Steve, a brutal extortionist who demands the diamonds in the shop's safe in exchange for the woman's life. After Steve kills the family maid, FBI agent Warren Stantin hands over the diamonds, but Steve kills the jeweller's wife anyway, and escapes. Feeling that he has failed, Stantin becomes obsessed with finding Steve, and chases him into the rugged forests of the state of Washington, where Steve joins up with a group of sportsmen who plan to trek into the wilderness on a fishing trip. Steve's plan is to kill them and force their guide, Sarah, to lead him through the wilderness to the Canada–United States border.

Stantin must team up with Sarah's mountain-man boyfriend Jonathan Knox to pursue Steve. Jonathan does not believe city slicker Stantin can keep up on a tough cross-country hike that includes some rock climbing, and Stantin is determined to prove himself. They pursue Steve and Sarah into the wilderness and eventually to the streets of Vancouver. After a long chase through the BC Ferries Queen of Vancouver, Stantin manages to shoot Steve in an underwater struggle.

Main cast

 * Sidney Poitier as Warren Stantin
 * Tom Berenger as Jonathan Knox
 * Andrew Robinson as Harvey
 * Kirstie Alley as Sarah Renell
 * Clancy Brown as Steve
 * Richard Masur as Norman
 * William S. Taylor as Police Captain
 * Frederick Coffin as Ralph
 * Ken Camroux as Charles Denham
 * Fred Henderson as Agent Owenby
 * Samuel Hiona as Inspector Hsu
 * Les Lannom as Sheriff Dave Arnett
 * Robert Lesser as Agent Minelli
 * Michael MacRae as Fournier
 * Walter Marsh as Sam Baker
 * Janet Rotblatt as Mrs. Berger
 * Kevin Scannell as Ben
 * Frank C. Turner as Austin Crilley

Trivia
The killer's identity is not revealed until midway through the film. He attempts to evade detection by killing a member of a hiking expedition and taking his place. To keep the audience guessing as to the true identity of the villain, some of the hikers were played by actors known for playing bad guys: notably Clancy Brown (Highlander, Bad Boys), Frederick Coffin (Mother's Day), Andrew Robinson (Dirty Harry) and Richard Masur (the vicious drug dealer in Who'll Stop the Rain).

Reception
Critically well received, the film currently holds a rare 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Box office
The film was a box office success.