Air Force One (1997)

Air Force One (1997), directed by Wolfgang Petersen, is a political action thriller that blends tense hostage drama with high-octane Hollywood spectacle. Starring Harrison Ford as the U.S. President, the film delivers a mix of patriotism, suspense, and pure 90s action energy.

Detailed Summary

The Setup: Presidential Mission

The story begins with U.S. President James Marshall (Harrison Ford) visiting Moscow to deliver a speech condemning terrorism. He vows that the United States will never negotiate with terrorists. Afterward, he boards Air Force One with his family and key staff, seemingly headed home after a diplomatic success.

Hijacking Begins

Unknown to them, a group of terrorists led by Ivan Korshunov (Gary Oldman) has infiltrated the plane disguised as journalists and crew. Soon after takeoff, they seize control of Air Force One, killing Secret Service agents and taking the passengers hostage. Their demand: release General Radek, a captured Kazakh dictator.

President in Action

While the terrorists believe President Marshall escaped in an escape pod, he actually stayed behind. Using his military background, he begins a stealthy one-man resistance inside the aircraft. The film escalates into a cat-and-mouse game between Marshall and Korshunov, as the President tries to sabotage the hijackers, protect his family, and keep Radek from being released.

The White House’s Dilemma

Back in Washington, Vice President Kathryn Bennett (Glenn Close) faces immense pressure. She must decide whether to follow the terrorists’ orders or stand by the President’s principle of never negotiating with terrorists. The 25th Amendment (which could transfer power away from the President) is brought into the debate, adding political tension on the ground.

Movie Ending (Spoilers in Full)

The climax of the film is pure action thriller chaos. After several fights inside the plane, President Marshall kills Ivan Korshunov by hurling him out of the plane’s cargo hold with the unforgettable line: “Get off my plane!”

However, the danger isn’t over. Air Force One, badly damaged in the firefight, is losing altitude. A midair rescue operation is launched, where passengers and crew are transferred via zipline cables to another aircraft. Marshall tries to save as many as possible, but time is running out.

In the final moments, just as Air Force One crashes into the sea, Marshall and his family escape via the cables. On the rescue aircraft, the call sign changes from “Liberty 2-4” to “Liberty 2-4 is now Air Force One”, signifying the President’s safe transfer and survival. It’s a triumphant ending that ties up the action, the political subplot, and the personal stakes.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, Air Force One does not feature any post-credits scenes. Once the film ends, the story is completely resolved, and the credits roll without additional content.

Type of Movie

The film is a political action thriller. It mixes hostage drama with patriotic heroism and suspenseful military action, all contained within the claustrophobic setting of a hijacked aircraft.

Cast

• Harrison Ford as President James Marshall
• Gary Oldman as Ivan Korshunov
• Glenn Close as Vice President Kathryn Bennett
• Wendy Crewson as Grace Marshall (First Lady)
• Liesel Matthews as Alice Marshall (First Daughter)
• William H. Macy as Major Caldwell
• Dean Stockwell as Defense Secretary Walter Dean

Film Music and Composer

The score was composed by Jerry Goldsmith, one of the most celebrated film composers of all time. His music underscores the tension, patriotism, and emotional stakes, with swelling orchestral themes that perfectly match the film’s 90s blockbuster tone.

Filming Locations

Much of the film was shot in the United States, particularly in Ohio and California. Key scenes involving the plane interior were filmed on elaborate sets built to replicate the real Air Force One. The aerial sequences were achieved through a mix of practical aircraft shots and CGI, which at the time was cutting-edge.

Awards and Nominations

• Nominated for 2 Academy Awards (Best Film Editing and Best Sound).
• Nominated for several technical awards, highlighting its sound design and editing.
  While it didn’t win Oscars, it performed strongly at the box office and became one of Harrison Ford’s iconic roles.

Behind the Scenes Insights

• Harrison Ford performed many of his own stunts, especially in fight sequences.
• Jerry Goldsmith was brought in late to replace Randy Newman’s score, composing and recording his music in just three weeks.
• Gary Oldman initially hesitated to play Korshunov but eventually leaned fully into the role, giving one of the most intense villain performances of the 90s.
• The real U.S. Air Force One inspired set designs, though certain elements were fictionalized for dramatic effect.

Inspirations and References

The film is an original story but draws heavily on the classic Die Hard-style “lone hero vs. terrorists” structure. It also borrows from real-world political anxieties of the 1990s, particularly terrorism and U.S. foreign policy in Eastern Europe.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

There are no officially released alternate endings, though reports suggest that certain scenes of dialogue between the Vice President and her cabinet were trimmed for pacing. A longer cut of the political debate exists but was not included in the theatrical release.

Book Adaptations and Differences

A novelization of the film was published, staying largely faithful to the screenplay but expanding on inner thoughts of characters and offering slightly more backstory about Korshunov’s motivations.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

• The hijacking itself, with the sudden gunfire inside the aircraft.
• President Marshall refusing to abandon the hostages by staying behind.
• The “Get off my plane!” confrontation with Korshunov.
• The final midair transfer sequence, blending action with emotional payoff.

Iconic Quotes

• President Marshall: “Get off my plane!”
• President Marshall: “Never again will I allow our political self-interest to deter us from doing what we know to be morally right.”
• Vice President Bennett: “If you give a mouse a cookie, he’s going to want a glass of milk.” (during the 25th Amendment debate)

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

• The call sign change at the end is both symbolic and technical: by definition, the aircraft carrying the U.S. President is “Air Force One.”
• Korshunov’s fanatic loyalty to General Radek mirrors real-world Cold War extremist figures, grounding the fictional plot in real political tension.
• The escape pod (shown briefly) doesn’t actually exist on the real Air Force One, but was invented for the movie’s drama.

Trivia

• Bill Clinton reportedly enjoyed the film and said it was “terrific.”
• Harrison Ford originally turned down the role but reconsidered after reading the revised script.
• The plane crash sequence was criticized for its dated CGI but was considered state-of-the-art at the time.
• Glenn Close accepted the role of Vice President partly because it was one of the few strong female political leadership roles in 90s cinema.

Why Watch?

This is a must-watch if you enjoy tense, patriotic 90s action thrillers. Harrison Ford’s performance as a tough, morally grounded President is unforgettable, Gary Oldman delivers one of his best villain roles, and the suspense never lets up. It’s both a popcorn action film and a political thriller, striking a rare balance.

Director’s Other Movies

• Das Boot (1981)
• In the Line of Fire (1993)
• The Perfect Storm (2000)
• Troy (2004)

Recommended Films for Fans

• Die Hard (1988)
• The Fugitive (1993)
• Executive Decision (1996)
• Patriot Games (1992)
• Clear and Present Danger (1994)