The Hunt for Eagle One: Crash Point

Plot

A group of Al-Qaeda-backed local rebels, disguised as lab technicians, and led by Rasheed (Dick Israel) stage a raid on the Sultan Kudaram Airbase, home of the Joint U.S. Tactical Command in the Philippines. Their objective is a "ground control encoder" that locks out the controls and instruments in an aircraft, allowing remote control from the ground. In the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, this device was designed to prevent hijacking but the rebels intend to use it to send an aircraft on a suicide mission.

With three airliners in the air as possible targets of the device, the terrorists send out a warning that they will not hesitate to kill all on board in their attacks on government facilities. Despite efforts to stop them, the terrorists crash the first jetliner into the Kudaram Base and destroy most of the aircraft and helicopters on the runways and taxiways.

Barely escaping the attack on the airbase, pilot Captain Amy Jennings (Theresa Randle) appeals to her commanding officer, Colonel Halloran (Jeff Fahey), to airlift the U.S. Marines Strike Force Team, led by Captain Matt Daniels (Mark Dacascos). The team is flown into the Philippines jungle to track down the rebels, reportedly just outside the airport perimeter. Once within striking distance, Jennings disobeys orders and rappels down to join Daniels and his team. The rebels are finally tracked down before they can carry out their threat to kill more people in the airliners they control.

Production

The Hunt for Eagle One: Crash Point was produced by Hollywood producer Roger Corman and Philippine producer Cirio H. Santiago as his co-producer. The pair had worked together on over 20 productions. Legendary for producing films on a shoestring budget and launching the careers of many famous filmmakers and stars, Corman was able to use much of the cast and crew of the earlier The Hunt for Eagle One film.

Much of the principal photography took place in the Philippines with Corman employing a number of local actors. The actors who played terrorists spoke Tagalog or Filipino, with key scenes having English subtitles.

Reception

While not reviewed by critics in mainstream media, The Hunt for Eagle One: Crash Point did garner some interest from internet bloggers and critics. Andy Webb in The Movie Scene said, " ... 'The Hunt for Eagle One: Crash Point' is on par with the original but that is not praise as both movies whilst okay in places are lacking and fail to generate the excitement needed to keep hold of your attention.."

Robert Cetti in Terrorism in American Cinema: An Analytical Filmography, 1960-2008, described The Hunt for Eagle One: Crash Point as ".. less a terrorist thriller than a minor war movie in which the enemies happen to be terrorists." He compared it to United 93 in dealing with issues surrounding 9/11.