When doing a list of “hostage movies” there is a wide variety of films to consider. So for this week’s Phenomenal 5 I decided to exclude movies featuring kidnappings as well as P.O.W. pictures. Both seemed to make the category too broad and both could easily have their own Phenomenal 5 list. But even with those omissions there were plenty of great hostage movies to consider. It was hard to narrow my list down, but these five movies fit perfectly. As always, I wouldn’t call this the definitive list. But there’s no denying that these five hostage films are absolutely phenomenal.
#5 – “AIR FORCE ONE (1997)
This is certainly one of the more unique hostage movies. U.S. President Harrison Ford, his family, and staff are held hostage aboard Air Force One by Russian terrorists led by Gary Oldman. The fact that the movie is confined to an airborne plane adds several interesting dynamics that work really well. Ford is a believable president and Oldman, while a little hammy at times, plays a good baddie. Sure, “Air Force One” requires a certain suspension of disbelief, but it’s still a hostage movie that’s a lot of fun.
#4 – “THE DELTA FORCE” (1986)
Ok, I know “The Delta Force” is sometimes emotionally manipulative and features several preposterous action scenes. But it also nicely melds elements of the 1980’s action pictures with the real-life hijacking of a TWA jet in 1985. While Chuck Norris is as wooden as ever, a nice supporting cast featuring Lee Marvin, Joey Bishop, Shelly Winters, Robert Vaughn, Martin Balsam, and Robert Forster make up for it. The film incorporates several true-to-life incidents surrounding the hijacking which makes the movie feel more grounded even in the midst of motorcycle rocket launchers and Chuck Norris one-liners. Call it a nostalgic pick, but “The Delta Force” is a solid hostage film.
#3 – “KEY LARGO” (1948)
John Huston’s “Key Largo” marked the final time Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall worked together onscreen. But it’s also one of the best hostage movies ever. Bogart visits a Key Largo hotel ran by a deceased army buddy’s father and falls for Bacall while there. But things really amp up when some hotel guests turn out to be gangsters led by Edward G. Robinson. Once their identity is revealed, the gang takes over the hotel. To make things worse a hurricane is approaching which keeps them stuck in the hotel but gives the audience some fantastic and memorable moments. This isn’t just a great hostage movie, it’s a great Bogart flick.
#2 – “DIE HARD” (1988)
1988’s “Die Hard” is the movie that made Bruce Willis a big screen movie star. It could be argued that this is the quintessential hostage movie. Willis’ John McClane attends a Christmas party with his estranged wife at the Nakatomi Plaza skyscraper. A group of terrorists led by Hans Gruber (played wonderfully by Alan Rickman) take over the building and hold the partygoers hostage with the exception of a barefooted McClane. He picks off Gruber’s men from the ground floor to the rooftop and gives us memorable scene after memorable scene. “Die Hard” is a straightforward picture that is the near perfect mix of hard-nosed action, well placed humor, and great side characters. No hostage movie list would be complete without it.
#1 – “THE PETRIFIED FOREST” (1936)
Yep, it’s Humphrey Bogart’s second appearance on the list but it’s certainly well deserved. In “The Petrified Forest” he plays Duke Mantee, a gangster on the run from a huge police manhunt. Duke and his gang end up busting into an Arizona diner and hold everyone there hostage. Some of the film’s best moments involve Bogart sitting in the diner verbally sparring back and forth with the hostages including Leslie Howard and Bette Davis. Edward G. Robinson was the first choice to play Duke but Howard pushed for Bogart who eventually got the part. And thank goodness he did. There are a lot of good hostage films, but for me “The Petrified Forest” is the best of the bunch.
Agree or disagree? Do you have a hostage movie that I should have included? Leave a comment below, share your thoughts, or tell me your favorite hostage movie.
keithandthemovies.com 
Dog Day Afternoon needs to be on this list.
I’m just not as crazy about DDA as a lot of people.
Nice list and it’s great to see Key Largo here. Two of my other favorites would be Dog Day Afternoon and Funny Games.
Love the original Funny Games. Haneke’s remake isn’t bad but it’s not near as good as his first film.
Yeah, Dog Day Afternoon and Funny Games for me too.
Lots of love for DDA. I’m just not that big of a fan myself. I do LOVE Funny Games. But since it was #1 on a recent Phenomenal 5 list I thought I would go with some others.
I love how often I see Die Hard on these lists 🙂
This one was intentional. Kind of a spin-off from from last week’s all Die Hard list.
Good choices, have you seen that new tv show called Hostages?
No I haven’t. I’ve seen the advertisements a lot. Is it any good?
Not sure, its got an interesting idea but I cannot decide whether it is good or not. Still watching though 😀
Happy and not the bit surprised you included ‘Key Largo’. Was waiting for ‘Argo’ or ‘Ransom’ but they aren’t my favorite. I would have listed ‘Misery’. 🙂
I really like Ransom and Misery. Just not quite enough to top any of these listed. I really, really like Argo. I’m just not sure if they would qualify as hostages. Certainly they were trapped in a country and needed to get out. But they were housed by allies as they waited for rescue. That would be the only technicality that would keep it off this list. Great film. Oh, and look for it in an upcoming list soon. Hint, hint
I’ve only seen two out of these five Keith but I was thinking of ARGO too. But I guess you’re right, the main story isn’t about the hostages. In any case, fun list as always!
Thanks Ruth. Have you seen either of the two Bogie flicks? If not give them a look. Really good.
Yes Argo is more of a story of people in hiding. Still a great film that will be appearing on a different Phenomenal 5 list really soon! 😉
I really need to see more Bogie films, so yeah will do! 😀
Bogie had so many great films. I have reviews for several of his flicks written for a “Bogie Week” I’ve been planning for some time.
Oooh, Bogie week, very cool! Apparently my late dad was a huuuge fan of Bogie, in fact that’s his nickname to his friends. Too bad my folks split up when I was a kid or I’d probably have watched a bunch of Bogie films by now, ahah.
He certainly had great taste in movies! 😀
Another nice list. I’m not a big fan of “The Petrified Forest,” but love “Key Largo.” Have to second the noms for “Dog Day Afternoon” and “Misery.”
Thanks! I know I’m alone but DDA just isn’t a favorite of mine. On the other hand I love The Petrified Forest. It does look and feel ALOT like its stage inspiration more so than a feature film. But I still really do like it.
I love Key Largo but The Petrified Forest is sitting on my shelf still in its wrapper, I might have to watch it this week.
I can’t argue with any of your selections, but off the top of my head I thought I’d mention Escape From New York, The Taking of Pelham 123 and The Professionals.
Good mentions! Yes, give The Petrified Forest a look. I love it. Howard and Bogart have some fabulous back-and-forths.
another vote for DDA here 🙂 I haven’t seen Key Largo but really expected to see DDA on the list…oh well…
I’m just don’t a huge fan of DDA. But clearly I’m in the minority. Lots of love for that picture though.
Yeah, I honestly don’t even remember it that well but I know I enjoyed it at the time and it popped into my mind when I saw the “hostage” theme. Interesting topic, as usual! 🙂
Psst, reddited this Keith 🙂
HUGE thanks for that Ruth! I bet more people will hit me for not including Dog Day Afternoon! LOL! That seems to be the one glaring omission for some.
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