Sniper (film)
Encyclopedia
Sniper is a 1993 action film
starring Tom Berenger
and Billy Zane
as sniper
s on an assassination mission in Panama.
) assassinating a Panamanian rebel leader in the jungle. Afterward, they take up a position in an isolated part of the jungle and wait out until nighttime for an extraction. However, they are extracted at daylight much to the dismay of Beckett. An experienced rebel sniper, formerly trained by Beckett, kills Papich as the two reach the helicopter, but Beckett is able to retrieve his body and bring it to the helicopter. Infuriated, Beckett blames the helicopter CO for Papich's death.
Beckett is paired up with the contrastingly inexperienced, and civilian, Richard Miller (Zane). Their goal is to eliminate a rebel general who is being financed by a reclusive Panamanian drug lord. Miller is a SWAT
team sharpshooter
, but lacks combat experience and has no confirmed kills to his name. When he is on the way to the staging area, his helicopter is attacked by a guerrilla with an assault rifle, who kills most of the men in it. Miller takes out his rifle and acquires a bead on the man, but is unable to pull the trigger. Fortunately, the chopper's dying machine gunner manages to kill the guerrilla before succumbing to his wounds. The surviving co-pilot thought it was Miller that made the killing shot (which wasn't denied), earning Miller a false reputation.
When Beckett and Miller set off, friction immediately occurs between them, based in part on Beckett's insistence on deviating from the mission plan that Miller was given, but mostly on the fact that Miller (though nominally in command) has no experience or aptitude for jungle operations. Early on, they encounter a group of Indians, who agree to lead them past the rebel guerrillas, in return for a favor. They want the team to eliminate El Cirujano ("The Surgeon"), an ex CIA torture master who's working with the rebels (and has previously injured the Indian leader), listed as a target of opportunity.
Beckett agrees to do so, and informs Miller that he expects Miller to make the kill because he's not certain of Miller's reliability, and is skeptical about his "kill" while aboard the helicopter. When it comes time for Miller to take the shot, he is again unable to do so, and instead makes a "warning shot". He follows up with a shot aimed at Cirujano's head, although Cirujano seems to duck before he is hit. The firefight that ensues leads to the death of one of the Indians. Although the Indians do not directly blame either Beckett or Miller, they refuse to help the team any further. Miller assures Beckett that Cirujano was killed, despite the warning shot.
The two men continue to their target and realize that they are being followed. Along the way, they head to a village priest that would provide details to the mission. However, they find that the priest was tortured and murdered by Alvarez's men well before they arrived. Beckett speculates out loud that it is the work of El Cirujano, calling into question Miller's credibility. That night, Beckett leaves a piece of trash for their follower (without Miller's knowledge) before setting up camp. As Miller falls asleep, Beckett remains on guard, watching for their follower, which ends up being the same sniper that killed Papich earlier. Because Miller is asleep and obviously not alert, this brings the enemy sniper out of hiding to take a shot, but Beckett manages to shoot the sniper, first. Realizing that he was used as bait, Miller is infuriated, to which Beckett tells him that "you were in no real danger".
The two men finally reach the general's hacienda
and take up positions while wearing ghillie suit
s. While they are waiting for their targets to emerge, it is revealed that Cirujano is alive after all, which infuriates Beckett. Miller isn't hidden very well, and is seen by one of the guards, who attempts to sneak up on Miller. Beckett kills Miller's attacker while Miller shoots and kills the drug lord (Miller's first confirmed kill). The two rendezvous outside the compound, where Beckett insists on them going back to kill the general as well (having missed his chance at killing the general because of saving Miller's life). Miller refuses and an argument erupts, leading to an exchange of fire between Beckett and Miller which ends when the latter runs out of ammunition. Miller then calms down afterward under pressure from Beckett. As rebels close in on the two, Beckett attempts to provide cover fire for Miller, but is subsequently captured by rebels. Knowing that Miller is watching, he discreetly releases a round from his rifle before surrendering, letting the bullet hit the ground, unnoticed. Miller picks up the bullet and loads it after Beckett is taken away.
That night, Miller notices a helicopter coming in to pick them up. He can easily leave the mission behind, but instead decides to head to the base camp where Beckett is being held. Inside, he encounters the general and kills him with his knife, then sees Beckett being tortured and getting his trigger finger amputated by El Cirujano. Beckett sees Miller watching in the distance, and distracts El Cirujano by pretending to finally reveal the secrets he was being tortured for. Cirujano doesn't understand what Beckett is saying, and puts his head closer to Beckett. After both their heads are lined up, Beckett discreetly mouths to Miller to shoot both Cirujano and himself with one shot. Instead, Miller only kills Cirujano and rescues Beckett. The two run to the helicopter for extraction, and Miller insists that Beckett go first while he stands guard. Beckett reluctantly agrees, but notices a sniper about to ambush Miller. Pulling out his pistol, Beckett shoots the sniper using his left hand (his right hand finger being previously cut off). The both are finally able to escape.
in 2002 and the direct-to-video movies Sniper 3
in 2004 and Sniper: Reloaded
in 2011. ...Reloaded features Billy Zane
's role of Richard Miller from the first Sniper film reprised, having himself become a sniper as a result of his Panamanian tour experience with Thomas Beckett.
auctioned off the film rights to the Sniper franchise to New Line Cinema
as well as many other film franchises. On March 13, 2010, New Line Cinema announced that Joel Surnow
had signed on to direct a remake of the original Sniper film. The film has been slated for a summer 2012 release. On May 13, 2010, New Line Cinema announced that John Cena
would be portraying Thomas Beckett in the remake.
Action film
Action film is a film genre where one or more heroes is thrust into a series of challenges that require physical feats, extended fights and frenetic chases...
starring Tom Berenger
Tom Berenger
Tom Berenger is an American actor known mainly for his roles in action films.-Early life:Berenger was born as Thomas Michael Moore in Chicago to an Irish Catholic family. Berenger's father was a printer for the Chicago Sun-Times. Berenger has a sister, Susan...
and Billy Zane
Billy Zane
William George "Billy" Zane, Jr. is an American actor, producer and director. He is probably best known for his roles as Caledon Hockley in Titanic, The Phantom from The Phantom, John Wheeler in Twin Peaks and Mr...
as sniper
Sniper
A sniper is a marksman who shoots targets from concealed positions or distances exceeding the capabilities of regular personnel. Snipers typically have specialized training and distinct high-precision rifles....
s on an assassination mission in Panama.
Plot
The film starts off with Master Gunnery Sergeant Thomas Beckett (Berenger), an experienced sniper, and his spotter Cpl. Papich (Aden YoungAden Young
Aden Young is an Australian actor. In recent years he has also turned his hand to filmmaking, directing and writing short films The Rose of Ba Ziz and The Order .- Life and career :Young was born in Toronto, Canada...
) assassinating a Panamanian rebel leader in the jungle. Afterward, they take up a position in an isolated part of the jungle and wait out until nighttime for an extraction. However, they are extracted at daylight much to the dismay of Beckett. An experienced rebel sniper, formerly trained by Beckett, kills Papich as the two reach the helicopter, but Beckett is able to retrieve his body and bring it to the helicopter. Infuriated, Beckett blames the helicopter CO for Papich's death.
Beckett is paired up with the contrastingly inexperienced, and civilian, Richard Miller (Zane). Their goal is to eliminate a rebel general who is being financed by a reclusive Panamanian drug lord. Miller is a SWAT
SWAT
A SWAT team is an elite tactical unit in various national law enforcement departments. They are trained to perform high-risk operations that fall outside of the abilities of regular officers...
team sharpshooter
Marksman
A marksman is a person who is skilled in precision, or a sharpshooter shooting, using projectile weapons, such as with a rifle but most commonly with a sniper rifle, to shoot at long range targets...
, but lacks combat experience and has no confirmed kills to his name. When he is on the way to the staging area, his helicopter is attacked by a guerrilla with an assault rifle, who kills most of the men in it. Miller takes out his rifle and acquires a bead on the man, but is unable to pull the trigger. Fortunately, the chopper's dying machine gunner manages to kill the guerrilla before succumbing to his wounds. The surviving co-pilot thought it was Miller that made the killing shot (which wasn't denied), earning Miller a false reputation.
When Beckett and Miller set off, friction immediately occurs between them, based in part on Beckett's insistence on deviating from the mission plan that Miller was given, but mostly on the fact that Miller (though nominally in command) has no experience or aptitude for jungle operations. Early on, they encounter a group of Indians, who agree to lead them past the rebel guerrillas, in return for a favor. They want the team to eliminate El Cirujano ("The Surgeon"), an ex CIA torture master who's working with the rebels (and has previously injured the Indian leader), listed as a target of opportunity.
Beckett agrees to do so, and informs Miller that he expects Miller to make the kill because he's not certain of Miller's reliability, and is skeptical about his "kill" while aboard the helicopter. When it comes time for Miller to take the shot, he is again unable to do so, and instead makes a "warning shot". He follows up with a shot aimed at Cirujano's head, although Cirujano seems to duck before he is hit. The firefight that ensues leads to the death of one of the Indians. Although the Indians do not directly blame either Beckett or Miller, they refuse to help the team any further. Miller assures Beckett that Cirujano was killed, despite the warning shot.
The two men continue to their target and realize that they are being followed. Along the way, they head to a village priest that would provide details to the mission. However, they find that the priest was tortured and murdered by Alvarez's men well before they arrived. Beckett speculates out loud that it is the work of El Cirujano, calling into question Miller's credibility. That night, Beckett leaves a piece of trash for their follower (without Miller's knowledge) before setting up camp. As Miller falls asleep, Beckett remains on guard, watching for their follower, which ends up being the same sniper that killed Papich earlier. Because Miller is asleep and obviously not alert, this brings the enemy sniper out of hiding to take a shot, but Beckett manages to shoot the sniper, first. Realizing that he was used as bait, Miller is infuriated, to which Beckett tells him that "you were in no real danger".
The two men finally reach the general's hacienda
Hacienda
Hacienda is a Spanish word for an estate. Some haciendas were plantations, mines, or even business factories. Many haciendas combined these productive activities...
and take up positions while wearing ghillie suit
Ghillie suit
A ghillie suit, wookie suit, yowie suit, or camo tent is a type of camouflage clothing designed to resemble heavy foliage. Typically, it is a net or cloth garment covered in loose strips of cloth or twine, sometimes made to look like leaves and twigs, and optionally augmented with scraps of foliage...
s. While they are waiting for their targets to emerge, it is revealed that Cirujano is alive after all, which infuriates Beckett. Miller isn't hidden very well, and is seen by one of the guards, who attempts to sneak up on Miller. Beckett kills Miller's attacker while Miller shoots and kills the drug lord (Miller's first confirmed kill). The two rendezvous outside the compound, where Beckett insists on them going back to kill the general as well (having missed his chance at killing the general because of saving Miller's life). Miller refuses and an argument erupts, leading to an exchange of fire between Beckett and Miller which ends when the latter runs out of ammunition. Miller then calms down afterward under pressure from Beckett. As rebels close in on the two, Beckett attempts to provide cover fire for Miller, but is subsequently captured by rebels. Knowing that Miller is watching, he discreetly releases a round from his rifle before surrendering, letting the bullet hit the ground, unnoticed. Miller picks up the bullet and loads it after Beckett is taken away.
That night, Miller notices a helicopter coming in to pick them up. He can easily leave the mission behind, but instead decides to head to the base camp where Beckett is being held. Inside, he encounters the general and kills him with his knife, then sees Beckett being tortured and getting his trigger finger amputated by El Cirujano. Beckett sees Miller watching in the distance, and distracts El Cirujano by pretending to finally reveal the secrets he was being tortured for. Cirujano doesn't understand what Beckett is saying, and puts his head closer to Beckett. After both their heads are lined up, Beckett discreetly mouths to Miller to shoot both Cirujano and himself with one shot. Instead, Miller only kills Cirujano and rescues Beckett. The two run to the helicopter for extraction, and Miller insists that Beckett go first while he stands guard. Beckett reluctantly agrees, but notices a sniper about to ambush Miller. Pulling out his pistol, Beckett shoots the sniper using his left hand (his right hand finger being previously cut off). The both are finally able to escape.
Film series cast
| Character | Film | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sniper | Sniper 2 Sniper 2 Sniper 2 is an American film shot in Hungary in November 2002 and released in early 2003. It stars Tom Berenger, Bokeem Woodbine, Erika Marozsán and Tamás Puskás, and was directed by Craig R. Baxley.... |
Sniper 3 Sniper 3 Sniper 3 is a 2004 action adventure direct-to-video film starring Tom Berenger, Byron Mann, John Doman and Denis Arndt. It was directed by P.J. Pesce and written by Michael Frost Beckner and Crash Leyland.... |
Sniper: Reloaded Sniper: Reloaded Sniper: Reloaded is a 2011 action film and a continuation of the Sniper film series. Filming took place in South Africa in 2010 for a 2011 release.-Plot:... |
|
| Thomas Beckett | Tom Berenger Tom Berenger Tom Berenger is an American actor known mainly for his roles in action films.-Early life:Berenger was born as Thomas Michael Moore in Chicago to an Irish Catholic family. Berenger's father was a printer for the Chicago Sun-Times. Berenger has a sister, Susan... |
|||
| Richard Miller | Billy Zane Billy Zane William George "Billy" Zane, Jr. is an American actor, producer and director. He is probably best known for his roles as Caledon Hockley in Titanic, The Phantom from The Phantom, John Wheeler in Twin Peaks and Mr... |
Billy Zane | ||
| Brandon Beckett | Chad Michael Collins | |||
Sequels
Sniper spawned three sequels: the TV movie Sniper 2Sniper 2
Sniper 2 is an American film shot in Hungary in November 2002 and released in early 2003. It stars Tom Berenger, Bokeem Woodbine, Erika Marozsán and Tamás Puskás, and was directed by Craig R. Baxley....
in 2002 and the direct-to-video movies Sniper 3
Sniper 3
Sniper 3 is a 2004 action adventure direct-to-video film starring Tom Berenger, Byron Mann, John Doman and Denis Arndt. It was directed by P.J. Pesce and written by Michael Frost Beckner and Crash Leyland....
in 2004 and Sniper: Reloaded
Sniper: Reloaded
Sniper: Reloaded is a 2011 action film and a continuation of the Sniper film series. Filming took place in South Africa in 2010 for a 2011 release.-Plot:...
in 2011. ...Reloaded features Billy Zane
Billy Zane
William George "Billy" Zane, Jr. is an American actor, producer and director. He is probably best known for his roles as Caledon Hockley in Titanic, The Phantom from The Phantom, John Wheeler in Twin Peaks and Mr...
's role of Richard Miller from the first Sniper film reprised, having himself become a sniper as a result of his Panamanian tour experience with Thomas Beckett.
Remake
On February 7, 2010, Hollywood.TV reported that Columbia PicturesColumbia Pictures
Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. is an American film production and distribution company. Columbia Pictures now forms part of the Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment, a subsidiary of the Japanese conglomerate Sony. It is one of the leading film companies...
auctioned off the film rights to the Sniper franchise to New Line Cinema
New Line Cinema
New Line Cinema, often simply referred to as New Line, is an American film studio. It was founded in 1967 by Robert Shaye and Michael Lynne as a film distributor, later becoming an independent film studio. It became a subsidiary of Time Warner in 1996 and was merged with larger sister studio Warner...
as well as many other film franchises. On March 13, 2010, New Line Cinema announced that Joel Surnow
Joel Surnow
Joel Surnow is an American writer and producer best known for being the creator of the television series 24 and La Femme Nikita. He also produced the Fox News Channel The 1/2 Hour News Hour.-Biography:...
had signed on to direct a remake of the original Sniper film. The film has been slated for a summer 2012 release. On May 13, 2010, New Line Cinema announced that John Cena
John Cena
John Felix Anthony Cena is an American professional wrestler, actor, rapper, and television personality. He is currently signed to WWE as a member of its WWE Raw brand....
would be portraying Thomas Beckett in the remake.