Air Force One (1997)
Air Force One (1997) is a tense, high-stakes political action thriller directed by Wolfgang Petersen and starring Harrison Ford as U.S. President James Marshall. The film combines patriotic heroism, suspense, and emotional intensity as it tells the story of one man’s fight to protect his family, his staff, and his country aboard the most secure aircraft in the world — Air Force One.
The film begins in Kazakhstan, where a joint U.S.–Russian special forces operation captures General Ivan Radek, a brutal nationalist dictator responsible for atrocities and political instability. Three weeks later, President James Marshall delivers a powerful speech in Moscow, declaring that the United States will never again negotiate with terrorists and will actively oppose tyranny around the world. His firm words inspire admiration — but also set the stage for deadly retaliation.
Soon after, President Marshall, his wife Grace (Wendy Crewson), and daughter Alice (Liesel Matthews) board Air Force One to return to Washington, D.C., along with a group of senior advisors, military personnel, and journalists. Among the press corps, however, hides a team of Russian ultranationalist terrorists led by Egor Korshunov (Gary Oldman), a fanatical loyalist of the captured General Radek. With help from a traitor within the U.S. Secret Service, the terrorists smuggle weapons aboard and swiftly seize control of the plane.
In the chaos, Secret Service agents are killed, and the President is believed to have escaped via an emergency pod. In reality, Marshall — a decorated Vietnam veteran — never left the plane. Using his combat skills and quick thinking, he hides in the cargo hold and begins to pick off the hijackers one by one, determined to save his family and reclaim the aircraft.
Meanwhile, on the ground, Vice President Kathryn Bennett (Glenn Close) faces an intense political crisis in Washington. Surrounded by military leaders and cabinet members, she must decide whether to follow constitutional procedure or yield to the terrorists’ demands. Korshunov insists that General Radek be released or he will execute hostages, including the First Lady and the President’s daughter. Bennett struggles to maintain control as pressure mounts from all sides.
Back on the plane, the cat-and-mouse game between Marshall and Korshunov intensifies. The President uses his knowledge of the aircraft’s systems, communication channels, and sheer determination to sabotage the hijackers’ plans. When Korshunov finally captures Grace and Alice, Marshall confronts him in a brutal hand-to-hand fight, killing him and rescuing his family.
As U.S. fighter jets escort Air Force One toward safety, the remaining terrorists attempt to crash the plane. In a gripping finale, a midair rescue operation transfers the passengers to another aircraft via zip line. The President is the last to escape, clinging to the line as Air Force One plummets into the sea behind him.
In the closing moment, the rescue team declares, “Liberty Two Four is now Air Force One,” signifying that the President is safe.
Air Force One delivers a perfect blend of political drama, action, and emotional courage — showcasing Harrison Ford’s iconic portrayal of a leader who refuses to surrender, proving that even the most powerful man in the world can also be the bravest.
