The Kidnapping of the President (1980): Cast & Plot
The Kidnapping of the President is a 1980 drama thriller directed by George Mendeluk, starring Hal Holbrook as President Adam Scott, William Shatner and Elizabeth Shepherd. It runs 1 hour 54 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 54m (114 min)
- Director
- George Mendeluk
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Crown International Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Kidnapping of the President About?
The premise of The Kidnapping of the President without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
When a charismatic South American revolutionary‑terrorist and his idealistic female accomplice abduct the U.S. President during a diplomatic visit to Toronto, the nation faces a high‑stakes hostage crisis that puts its most powerful leader in the hands of a ruthless adversary.
The Kidnapping of the President Themes & Keywords
· 35 tags- psychotronic film
- the white house washington d.c.
- cult
- cia central intelligence agency
- secret
- novel
- president
- truck
- terrorist
- secret service
- explosive
- blood
+23 more Show fewer
- political thriller
- vice president
- third world
- terrorism
- suspense
- suicide bomber
- south america
- scandal
- ransom
- psychotic
- politics
- politician
- oval office
- kidnapping
- husband wife relationship
- hostage
- handcuffs
- strapped to a bomb
- bribery
- booby trap
- armored car
- based on novel
- independent film
The Kidnapping of the President Cast & Characters
Hal Holbrook leads the cast as President Adam Scott, with William Shatner as Jerry O'Connor and Elizabeth Shepherd as Joan Scott. Directed by George Mendeluk; 17 actors are credited in all.
- Director George Mendeluk
-
Hal Holbrook as President Adam Scott -
William Shatner as Jerry O'Connor - Elizabeth Shepherd as Joan Scott
- Miguel Fernandes as Roberto Assanti
Also Starring in The Kidnapping of the President
· 13 more- Ava Gardner Beth Richards
- Van Johnson Vice President Ethan Richards
- Maury Chaykin Harvey Cannon
- Michael J. Reynolds MacKenzie
- Jackie Burroughs Woman Agent
- Gary Reineke Deitrich
- Sully Boyar FBI Chief
- Murray Westgate Archie Standler
- Cindy Girling Linda Steiner
- David Cadiente Mendoza
- Patrick Brymer Jesus Freak
- Chapelle Jaffe Valerie Martinelli
- Fred Franklyn Herbert Thurston
More from George Mendeluk
More films directed by George Mendeluk, best-rated first: Bitter Harvest, The Wrong Babysitter, Forever 16 and The Terror Experiment.
The Kidnapping of the President Plot Summary
What happens in The Kidnapping of the President from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
During a state visit to Canada, Adam Scott is warned by Secret Service agent Jerry O’Connor about a potential threat to his life. Scott ignores the warning and is abducted (while walking through Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto) by Roberto Assanti and his female accomplice. They demand $100 million in diamonds along with two airplanes as ransom for the president’s safe return.
Full summary
The whole story of The Kidnapping of the President, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know The Kidnapping of the President?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which actor portrays President Adam Scott, the American leader abducted during a state visit?
Cars in The Kidnapping of the President
34 cars on screen, including the 1962 GMC C-Series and the 1967 Lincoln Continental.
-
1962 GMC C-Series Main role -
1967 Lincoln Continental Important role -
1971 Dodge Coronet Minor role -
1979 Ford LTD Minor role
The Kidnapping of the President Also Known As
10 alternative titles, including “Похищението на президента” and “Az elnök elrablása”.
- Also known as
-
- Похищението на президента
- Az elnök elrablása
- 总统大绑架
- El secuestro del presidente
- O Sequestro do Presidente
- Rapimento di un presidente
- El segrest del president
- Únos prezidenta
- Похищение президента
- 總統大綁架
Seen The Kidnapping of the President?
Movies Like The Kidnapping of the President
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Kidnapping Inc., Executive Target and Assassination.
The Kidnapping of the President FAQ: Cast & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of The Kidnapping of the President, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Kidnapping of the President?
The Kidnapping of the President runs 1 hour 54 minutes (114 minutes).
When was The Kidnapping of the President released?
The Kidnapping of the President was released on August 15, 1980.
Who directed The Kidnapping of the President?
The Kidnapping of the President was directed by George Mendeluk.
More films by George Mendeluk Who is in the cast of The Kidnapping of the President?
The Kidnapping of the President stars Hal Holbrook as President Adam Scott, William Shatner as Jerry O'Connor and Elizabeth Shepherd as Joan Scott, among 17 credited actors.
Does The Kidnapping of the President have a post-credit scene?
No. The Kidnapping of the President has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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