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This is it – the original “Firefox”, the first and arguably best of the high-speed technothrillers. Though not greatly served by the 1982 Clint Eastwood movie, “Firefox” is still a must-read that elevates the techno-thriller to fine literature. The Plot: deceptively simple. Some time between the end of the Viet Nam war and 1982 (when Yuri Andropov still heads the KGB) the Soviets perfect the ultimate warplane – the MiG-31, NATO codenamed “Firefox”. Invisible on radar, capable of attaining speeds five times faster than sound, and driven by a thought-controlled fire-control system, the new plane easily exceeds anything on Western drawing boards. As made clear in a flurry of memos between western intelligence sources, the Soviets have left the free-world one chance to even the gap: against all odds, steal Firefox! Until that point, “Firefox” sounds like a conventional thriller – guys in suits with medals direct warplanes and other military toys. But “Firefox” excels in its characters – chiefly that of Mitchell Gant, the American chosen to snatch the MiG. Hardly the ideal hero of your typical novel, and not quite as you’d expect a fighter-pilot to look or sound – Gant inexplicably triumphs over every challenge, including himself. Burnt out after an horrific experience in Viet Nam, Gant seemed like a man who’d never fly again – until the CIA plucks him out of obscurity and readies him for a mission with very little chance for survival. In Thomas’s uncompromising prose, Gant is a mixture of cynicism, self-destruction and conceit – he harbors less hope than his superiors do of him ever getting out of Russia alive, but never fails to take pride for his accomplishments. Thomas excels in never letting his human characters (even the secondary, or tertiary ones) get sidelined by his props. Even so, the “Firefox” itself is amazing piece of hardware – and almost becomes a character in its own right. While many technothriller authors claim that their books put you in the pilot’s seat, few have achieved that to the same degree that Thomas does here – with his deft descriptions of whipping G-Forces, dropping few levels and the other challenges of air combat. With “Firefox Down” and “Winterhawk” Thomas fashioned a loose trilogy of books starring the character of Gant – each providing more than enough reason not to miss a single Thomas novel.Read full review
Early 1980's Cold War movie about a Vietnam era pilot who is suffering from PTSD. The flashbacks have practically forced him to live like a hermit. Clint Eastwood is Gant. He was one of the best pilots that there was, but has gone into seclusion, that is until now. The government needs him, with or without his problems. The Soviets have just flown their newest fighter; a fighter so advanced that it could severely alter the balance of power. This fantastic machine is made of a new, unknown alloy and has the capability of flying faster than Mach-5, and has thought controlled weapon and flight systems. The United States has to grab this plane and find out how to defeat it before it is deployed. Gant is the best there was, and he speaks fluent Russian. Always a patriot, and with the knowledge of just how important this airplane is, he accepts the assignment. He is sent to the Soviet Union as an American business man who is also a drug dealer. Once there the underground forces intercept him. The plan is for the real American to be killed in what would look like an apparent mugging. Gant is hidden away, and the real person is killed. This way, the death of a drug dealer, even if he was an American, nobody will be too upset or looking for him. Through the use of several disaffected Jews, he is transported to a remote military base where other Jewish scientists and engineers are working on the Firefox program. The plan is for Gant to be smuggled in as a Soviet pilot and actually steal the plane; fly it to a prearranged location where it will be seen and reported by many, and then go in a completely different direction. Almost captured, he incapacitated the intended pilot and is able to steal the plane. The Jewish scientists and engineers stage a fire as a diversion are killed for aiding him, but their plan is successful and he does get away. There is another prototype that was supposed to be destroyed in the fire, but it wasn't damaged and the pilot that he slugged, is now coming after him, but first they must figure out where he is going. A real dogfight takes place when both planes do come together, and in dramatic fashion Gant wins and destroys the second prototype. His fuel is a problem and the idea is to land the plane on an ice flow, get refueled, and head for the USA. A submarine crew, masquerading as a weather research station on the ice, is ready to refuel him. He successfully lands, and just barely is able to get out of there beore the Russians arrive. This was a good movie, and it offers a different side of Clint Eastwood. I think you will enjoy this one.Read full review
This is, in my opinion, Eastwood's best role ever. He really makes his character believable. You will get caught up in his portrayal of a man haunted by his role in war. I saw this movie first in a theater when it came out years ago. I bought a VHS tape of it when it hit the market. After watching it several times, I lost the tape. Now I have bought a DVD so I can see it again! Believe me, you will want to see it again and again over the years. Besides Clint's excellent acting, there are the fantastic scenes where Eastwood's character is being pursued in his stolen Russian plane by a Russian fighter pilot in an identical super high-tech plane, intent on killing him. Watch it on a big screen tv for the best thrills. Awesome movie!
Exciting cold-war action flick pitting Clint Eastwood as a burned-out, Vietnam era fighter jockey against the entire armed forces of the Soviet Union. Clint must elude the KGB, penetrate a top security military base, steal the hottest new Mig ever and defeat Russian radar, SAM's, ships and security forces in a mad dash over the top of the Iron Curtain. Some of the special effects are a little cheesy...but the drama is cutting edge and with Clint at the stick, you know he's going to make it...you're just not quite sure how. Siskelovich and Ebertsky might give it two thumbs up but I'd rate it 4 1/2 bright red Russian stars.
Top Gun has nothing on this early Eastwood thriller. A very entertaining movie that has twist and turns thru out the film. I would recommend this film to any Eastwood fan.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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