The Pursuit of D.B. Cooper

I liked this movie. It was fun to see Duvall, Williams, and Gleason on the screen together. I've been fascinated with Dan Cooper ever since my father bought me a "Greatest Mysteries" book when I was about 8. That book got me going on Oak Island, too. Anyway, this is obviously not a factual account of anything. For one, none of the money cooper stole has ever made it back into circulation. The serial numbers were all noted, and the money was never used. So, if you go into the movie with the understanding that it's fiction and not based on actual events, I think you'll enjoy yourself. I really liked seeing Gleason, too. He's not in many movies, and it was fun to see him in something besides "The Breakfast Club" and "Trading Places."

Hey, in a way, this movie is the ultimate metaphor, for then and now, let me explain -- what "little guy" doesn't want to "beat the man" or whatever, that's what this movie was made for, that guy, that frustrated everyday working "little" guy who dreams of beating the big people who stick it to him day in and day out, and I have to agree with the last reviewer on Kathryn Harrold, she was hot-stuff in this movie, the cherry on top of the metaphorically good ice cream sundae that this movie is as the fun, exciting escapist romp it is. The very idea of this movie is one of the last for the "little guy" beating the "big guys" who stick it to him and knock him down. That's it.

In the early days of cable (at least for Queens, NY) I watched "The Pursuit of D. B. Cooper" quite a bit. Tonight was the first time I watched it in many moons. It's a great movie. It looks great with terrific location photography. The cast is top-notch with one strong performance after another. The action scenes are terrific. Nothing beats great pre-CGI stunts and this movie has a ton of it. The best part of the movie is the forever dreamy Kathryn Harrold. Harold is so stunning that it's impossible to take your eyes off her. "The Pursuit of D. B. Cooper" is very satisfying watch. Honorable mention: Waylon Jennings.

I cant remember having seen this one, but even if I did, I dont blame myself for not remembering it, because it is definitely lacking in suspense and credibility. Apparently the production of this movie was a total disaster with a new director replacing the other one and basically starting all over again. I really have seen better Robert Duvall pictures, but that doesnt mean this picture is terrible, it is merely a bit lacking in punch and spark. The acting is still decent, but everything else about this movie feels a bit cheap, with mediocre photography, a silly soundtrack and a story that is a bit TOO much based upon coincidence upon coincidence, to be believable. Only recommended for the Robert Duvall or Treat Williams fans, who wanna see every picture they have made... The story: it's a cat and mouse chase game between Robert Duvall (the law) and Treat Williams (the thief).

You could do a lot worse than this slight yet amiable what-if fest that speculates on just how D.B. Cooper got away with all that money. Robert Duvall shines as the insurance company's bounty hunter but Treat Williams comes off somewhat bland as the title character. He's just too boringly cutesy, if that makes any sense. Yet if you told me to choose between this and say RULES OF ENGAGEMENT, D.B. sure gets my vote.

This film was hard to get a hold of, and when I eventually saw it the disappointment was overwhelming. I mean, this is one of the great stories of the twentieth century: an unknown man takes advantage of the unsuspecting airline industry and GETS AWAY with millions in ransom without hurting anyone or bungling the attempt. With all of this built-in interest, how could anyone make such a lackluster, talk-laden flick of this true-life event. While Williams is always interesting, the screenwriters assumed that the D.B. Cooper persona was stereotypically heroic like a movie star, s what we get is a type-without any engaging details or insights into the mind of a person daring enough and clever enough to have pulled it off. Harrold practically steals the movie with her spunk and pure beauty, but the real letdown was in the handling of the plot and the lame direction. Shame on this film for even existing.