The Presidio *** (1988, Sean Connery, Mark Harmon, Meg Ryan, Jack Warden) – Classic Movie Review 6795

Director Peter Hyams’s 1988 The Presidio is routine action stuff, though the movie is sparked up by Sean Connery’s gruffly winning performance and some lively chases. But just what happened to Larry Ferguson screenplay? It has so many things wrong with it.

However, the two main attractions in this slick and efficient but formulaic thriller just about see it through.

Firstly, there is the atmospheric Presidio of the title, the 1,400-acre military compound at the base of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, the setting for the film’s terrific opening sequence of break-in and murder.

Sean Connery plays Lieutenant Colonel Alan Caldwell in The Presidio.

Secondly, there is main star Connery, playing Lieutenant Colonel Alan Caldwell, a military marshal forced to co-operate with San Francisco civilian police detective Jay Austin (Mark Harmon) in the murder investigation that follows the opening sequence. Connery is very good value indeed.

The support playing is merely window dressing: Meg Ryan makes no headway at all as Connery’s tomboyish feisty daughter Donna Caldwell and Mark Harmon is bland and lacklustre as SFPD Inspector Jay Austin, working with his former enemy commanding officer on what turns out to be a series of murders while dating dad’s daughter Donna.

Mark Harmon and Meg Ryan in The Presidio (1988).

Also in the cast are Jack Warden as Sergeant Major Ross Maclure, Mark Blum as Arthur Peale, Dana Gladstone as Colonel Paul Lawrence, Jenette Goldstein as Patti Jean Lynch, Marvin J McIntyre as MP Zeke, Don Calfa as Howard Buckely, John DiSanti as Detective Marvin Powell, Robert Lesser as Sergeant Mueller, James Hooks Reynolds as George Spota, Curtis W Sims as Sergeant Garfield, Rick Zumwalt as bully in bar, Rosalyn Marshall as Colonel Lawrence’s secretary and Patrick Kilpatrick as Mark.

Hyams ensures some tough action. The TV version edits out the two four-letter words.

The Presidio is directed by Peter Hyams, runs 97 minutes, is released by Paramount Pictures, is written by Larry Ferguson, is shot by Peter Hyams, is produced by D Constantine Conte, is scored by Bruce Broughton and is designed by Albert Brenner.

Originally Tony Scott was to have directed Lee Marvin and Jeff Bridges, but Marvin quit after intestinal surgery. Gene Hackman then declined Marvin’s role and Bridges left.

When Connery was signed to star, Kevin Costner was to be his co-star but quit, disappointing Connery who sought a reunion with his The Untouchables co-star.

It grossed just over $20 million in the US.

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 6795

Check out more reviews on http://derekwinnert.com

Meg Ryan gets the point from Sean Connery in The Presidio (1988).

Sean Connery in The Presidio (1988).