Clear and Present Danger, released in theaters on August 3, 1994, is a a complex, slow-burn masterpiece that perfectly captures the paranoia and deception of Tom Clancy’s novels. Starring Harrison Ford in his second outing as CIA analyst Jack Ryan, the film is a gripping, multi-layered story about government overreach, ruthless ambition, and the brutal reality of the war on drugs.
The film’s plot is a dense and intricate web of deceit. After a close friend of the U.S. President is murdered by a Colombian drug cartel, the President’s National Security Advisor, James Cutter (Harris Yulin), aided by Robert Ritter (Henry Czerny), the CIA Deputy Director of Operations authorize a covert, unsanctioned military operation to strike back at the cartels. This secret war is funded by seized drug money and carried out by a black ops team led by the ruthless and morally ambiguous Colonel Felix Cortez (Joaquim de Almeida).
Meanwhile, newly appointed CIA Deputy Director Jack Ryan (Ford) is brought in to investigate the murder. With the help of his trusted colleague, Admiral James Greer (James Earl Jones), Ryan begins to uncover a massive, clandestine operation that he was not told about.
His investigation takes him from the halls of power in Washington D.C. to the dangerous jungles of Colombia, where he enlists the help of a former Special Forces soldier, John Clark (Willem Dafoe), to get to the bottom of the conspiracy.
Anne Archer, Donald Moffat, Benjamin Bratt, Miguel Sandoval, Raymond Cruz, Thora Birch, Hope Lange, Clark Gregg and Rex Linn round out the strong cast.
As Ryan gets closer to the truth, he realizes he is no longer just an analyst, but a target.
The film is a race against time for Ryan to expose the conspiracy and save the lives of the soldiers who have been abandoned by their government.
The film is a sequel to The Hunt for Red October (1990) and Patriot Games (1992) and proceeded The Sum of All Fears (2002).
Philip Noyce returned to direct following his work on Patriot Games.
The film was nominated for two Academy Awards for Best Sound and Best Sound Effects Editing, but lost both awards to Speed.
Harrison Ford as Jack Ryan in Clear and Present Danger (Photo/Paramount Pictures)
Reception for Clear and Present Danger
Clear and Present Danger grossed $20.3 million on its opening weekend, finishing No. 1 at the box office, topping The Mask ($15.2 million) and Forrest Gump ($14.2 million).
The film would remain atop the box office on its second weekend and in the top 10 for nine weeks en route to grossing $215.9 million worldwide.
Legacy
Clear and Present Danger is one of the finest political thrillers of the 90s. It’s widely celebrated for its intelligent, non-stop suspense and its powerful themes.
Ford delivers another stellar performance as Jack Ryan, embodying the character’s moral compass and intelligence.
The film is also noted for its excellent supporting cast, particularly Dafoe’s portrayal of Clark.
Clear and Present Danger is remembered for its intricate plot, its authentic depiction of intelligence operations, and its sobering message about the blurred lines between justice and politics. It stands as a powerful and enduring cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked power and a testament to the idea that the truth, no matter how dangerous, must always be brought to light.
