Fire Birds (1990)
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- PG-13
- 1h 25min
- Action, Adventure
- 25 May 1990 (USA)
- Movie
Elite Apache helicopter pilots are tasked with destroying powerful armed drug cartels operating in South America.
Director:
Writers:
Stars:
Photos and Videos
Complete, Cast awaiting verification
| Nicolas Cage | ... |
Jake Preston
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| Tommy Lee Jones | ... |
Brad Little
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| Sean Young | ... |
Billie Lee Guthrie
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| Bryan Kestner | ... |
Breaker
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| Illana Diamant | ... |
Sharon Geller
(as Illana Shoshan)
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| Dale Dye | ... |
A.K. McNeil
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| Mary Ellen Trainor | ... |
Janet Little
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| J.A. Preston | ... |
General Olcott
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| Peter Onorati | ... |
Rice
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Charles Lanyer | ... |
Darren Phillips
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| Marshall R. Teague | ... |
Doug Daniels
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Cylk Cozart | ... |
Dewar Proctor
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Charles Kahlenberg | ... |
Oscar De Marco
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Gregory Vahanian | ... |
Tom Davis
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Robert Lujan | ... |
Steward Rives
(as Bob Lujan)
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| Scott Williamson | ... |
Scott Buzz
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Mickey Yablans | ... |
Butch Tippet
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Bert Rhine | ... |
Eric Stoller
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Peter Michaels | ... |
Steve Dobbs
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Richard Soto | ... |
Captain Tejada
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Samuel Hernández | ... |
Latino Pilot
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Kristin Wynn | ... |
Jesse Little
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Kristin Nicole Barnes | ... |
Sam Little
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| Phillip Troy Linger | ... |
Dance Partner
(as Phillip Troy)
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Harrison Le Duke | ... |
Broker
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Garth Le Master | ... |
Waiter
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Judson Spence | ... |
Singer
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
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Oscar Granquist | ... |
Sgt. Higgins (uncredited)
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| William Medici | ... |
Pilot (uncredited)
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Angie Seegers | ... |
Girl Nicolas Cage Defends and Singer Seranades (uncredited)
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Directed by
| David Green | ||
Written by
| Step Tyner | ... | (story) & |
| John K. Swensson | ... | (story) and |
| Dale Dye | ... | (story) |
| Nick Thiel | ... | (screenplay) and |
| Paul F. Edwards | ... | (screenplay) |
Produced by
| Bill Badalato | ... | producer (as William Badalato) |
| Keith Barish | ... | executive producer |
| Dale Dye | ... | co-producer |
| Bettina Gilois | ... | associate producer |
| Arnold Kopelson | ... | executive producer |
| John K. Swensson | ... | co-producer |
Music by
| David Newman | ||
Cinematography by
| Tony Imi | ... | director of photography |
Editing by
| Norman Buckley | ||
| Dennis M. O'Connor | ... | (as Dennis O'Connor) |
| Jon Poll | ||
Editorial Department
| Amy E. Duddleston | ... | assistant editor |
| Alisa Hale | ... | editing room assistant |
| Greg Hayden | ... | associate editor |
| Phil Hetos | ... | color timer: DeLuxe |
| Keith Parrish | ... | color timer: DeLuxe |
| Jim Rhine | ... | post-production assistant |
| Elizabeth Schmidt | ... | assistant editor (as Elizabeth Fulton) |
| Paula Suhy | ... | first assistant editor (as Paula Greatbatch) |
Casting By
| Mike Fenton | ||
| Valorie Massalas | ||
| Judy Taylor | ||
Production Design by
| Joseph T. Garrity | ||
Art Direction by
| Pat Tagliaferro | ||
Set Decoration by
| Jerie Kelter | ||
Costume Design by
| Ellis Cohen | ||
Makeup Department
| Fríða Aradóttir | ... | hair stylist |
| Michael Hancock | ... | makeup artist |
Production Management
| Susan Zwerman | ... | unit production manager |
| Angel Pine | ... | post production executive (uncredited) |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Matt Earl Beesley | ... | first assistant director |
| James Dillon | ... | first assistant director: second unit |
| David Newman | ... | assistant director: aerial unit |
| Richard T. Stevens | ... | second unit director |
| Jeffrey Wetzel | ... | second assistant director |
Art Department
| G. Roger Abell | ... | set dresser |
| David L. Glazer | ... | property master |
| David Jefferson | ... | property master |
| Russell Jones | ... | set dresser |
| Robert Lucas | ... | lead man |
| Bill Rea | ... | set designer |
| Glenn H. Roberts | ... | set dresser |
| Doug Sieck | ... | set dresser |
| Debi Shirk Tagliaferro | ... | art department coordinator |
Sound Department
| Tom E. Dahl | ... | re-recording mixer |
| L.C. DePaula | ... | aerial boom operator |
| Linda Folk | ... | adr editor |
| Kate Jesse | ... | cable person |
| Franklin Jones Jr. | ... | re-recording mixer |
| R.J. Kizer | ... | sound editor |
| Steve Kohler | ... | foley recordist |
| Lance Laurienzo | ... | assistant sound editor |
| Patrushkha Mierzwa | ... | boom operator |
| Victoria Rose Sampson | ... | adr editor / dialogue editor |
| Jerry Trent | ... | foley artist |
| Mark Ulano | ... | production sound mixer |
| Thomas Whiting | ... | supervising adr editor |
| Michael S. Wren | ... | sound recordist |
Special Effects by
| John S. Baker | ... | special effects technician |
| Dave Barkovitz | ... | special effects technician |
| Mike Menzel | ... | special effects coordinator |
| Rudy Perez | ... | special effects |
| Bob Riggs | ... | special effects |
| Pat Tagliaferro | ... | art director/special effects design |
| Todd Cuson | ... | special effects technician (uncredited) |
Stunts
| Richard L. Blackwell | ... | stunts |
| Chuck Borden | ... | stunts |
| Michael Cassidy | ... | stunts |
| George B. Colucci Jr. | ... | stunt performer (as George B. Colucci) / stunts (as George B. Colucci) |
| Chuck Courtney | ... | stunts |
| BJ Davis | ... | assistant stunt coordinator / stunt double: Tommy Lee Jones / stunts |
| Christopher Doyle | ... | stunts |
| Donna Evans | ... | stunts |
| Skip Holm | ... | stunt pilot |
| Monty Jordan | ... | stunts |
| Ken Lesco | ... | stunts |
| Dennis Madalone | ... | stunt coordinator |
| 'Wild' Bill Mock | ... | stunts |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Eric Bartsch | ... | grip |
| Paul 'Doc' Byrd | ... | aerial additional photographer / aerial camera coordinator |
| Ken Hackman | ... | aerial still photographer |
| J. David Jones | ... | aerial camera pilot |
| William E. Kelley Jr. | ... | aerial camera operator (as Bill Kelley) |
| Michael Maley | ... | gaffer |
| Stan McClain | ... | director of aerial photography |
| Bruce Merwin | ... | gaffer |
| Michael Paris | ... | still photographer |
| Gene Poole | ... | key grip |
| John R. Shannon | ... | still photographer |
| Ronald Vidor | ... | a camera operator/steadicam |
| H. Mark Vuille | ... | gaffer: los angeles unit |
| John Ward | ... | camera operator / steadicam operator |
| Jorgen Wedseltoft | ... | camera operator: second unit |
| Wayne Baker | ... | aerial assistant camera (uncredited) |
Casting Department
| Brad Heston | ... | casting assistant |
| Andrew Reid | ... | extras casting assistant (uncredited) |
Location Management
| Scott Buzz | ... | location manager |
Music Department
| Peter Afterman | ... | music supervisor |
| Tom Brown | ... | music preparation |
| J.J. George | ... | assistant music editor |
| Jim Hoffman | ... | music preparation |
| Shawn Murphy | ... | scoring mixer |
| Steven L. Smith | ... | music preparation |
| Diane DeLouise Wessel | ... | music supervisor |
| Malcolm McNab | ... | musician: trumpet (uncredited) |
| James Thatcher | ... | musician: French horn (uncredited) |
Script and Continuity Department
| Marilyn Bailey | ... | script supervisor |
Transportation Department
| Troy Flynn | ... | driver: production van |
| Shane Greedy | ... | production driver |
Additional Crew
| Dave Adams | ... | pilot: AH-64 |
| Ralph Arnold | ... | pilot: UH-60 Blackhawk |
| Billy Badalato | ... | aerial supervisor |
| Kristena D. Baker | ... | technical advisor: air force |
| Michael Barnes | ... | legal services |
| Phil Bautista | ... | production assistant: Video Assist for Simulation Scenes |
| Redney Bither | ... | pilot: AH-64 |
| Ralph Boyd | ... | scout pilot: OH-S8D |
| Marty Caldwell | ... | paramedic |
| Christopher G. Chalko | ... | chief technical advisor (as Major Christopher G. Chalko) / project advisor: DA/DOD (as Major Christopher G. Chalko) |
| Randy Crockett | ... | pilot: UH-60 Blackhawk |
| Dan Cutshall | ... | pilot: AH-1 Cobra |
| Robert Duuton | ... | pilot: AH-1 Cobra |
| Dale Dye | ... | technical advisor |
| Thomas Fritz | ... | pilot: UH-60 |
| Paul Guyot | ... | stand-in: Nicholas Cage |
| Jim Hadley | ... | pilot: UH-60 |
| Jimmy Hancock | ... | pilot: AH-64 |
| Jeffrey Harlacker | ... | assistant to producer |
| Ross Hill | ... | pilot: AH-64 |
| Skip Holmes | ... | jet pilot: Draken |
| Harriet Katz-Stevens | ... | production accountant |
| Lonnie Kragel | ... | assistant production coordinator |
| Rocco Marra | ... | assistant to aerial coordinator (as Rocco J. Marra) |
| Ed R. Mayers Jr. | ... | aerial technical advisor |
| Ray Mayers | ... | pilot: AH-64 |
| Eric McCall | ... | Bar Patron |
| Bob McKeegan | ... | pilot: AH-64 |
| Peter McKernan | ... | aerial coordinator |
| James D. Morgan | ... | pilot: OH-S8D |
| Maria Norman | ... | assistant: Arnold Kopelson |
| Larry Pucci | ... | pilot: AH-1 Cobra |
| Hal Hooper Reichle | ... | aerial advisor |
| Christopher J. Rigon | ... | pilot: OH-S8D |
| CW4 Terry Rose | ... | mock-up technical advisor / pilot: AH-64 |
| Hugo Sanhueza | ... | pilot: UH-60 Blackhawk |
| Ronald C. Smith | ... | pilot: UH-60 Blackhawk |
| Brian Steward | ... | production assistant |
| Shannon Tanner | ... | stand-in: Sean Young |
| Neal Thompson | ... | title designer |
| Carl Vanderpool | ... | pilot: UH-60 |
| Dale Whitmore Jr. | ... | pilot: AH-1 Cobra |
| Monty Jordan | ... | senior military advisor (uncredited) |
Production Companies
- Touchstone Pictures (presents)
- Nova International Films
Distributors
- Buena Vista Pictures Distribution (1990) (United States) (theatrical) (as Buena Vista Pictures Distribution, Inc.)
- Medusa Communications and Marketing (1990) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- AFMD (1990) (France) (theatrical)
- Herald Film Company (1990) (Japan) (theatrical)
- Hoyts Fox Columbia TriStar Films (1990) (Australia) (theatrical)
- New Vision Video (1990) (Germany) (VHS)
- Medusa Home Video (1991) (United Kingdom) (VHS)
- RCA/Columbia-Hoyts Home Video (1991) (Australia) (VHS)
- Seven Network (1996) (Australia) (tv)
- Walt Disney Home Video (2004) (United States) (DVD)
- Mill Creek Entertainment (2013) (United States) (DVD)
- Mill Creek Entertainment (2015) (United States) (Blu-ray)
- Rai Movie (2016) (Italy) (tv)
- Kino Lorber (2018) (United States) (Blu-ray)
- Kino Lorber (2018) (United States) (DVD)
- Jugendfilm-Verleih (1990) (Germany) (theatrical)
- Kommunenes Filmcentral (KF) (1991) (Norway) (theatrical)
- Svensk Filmindustri (SF) (1991) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- Argentina Video Home (Argentina) (video)
- Buena Vista Television (2000) (United States) (tv) (syndication)
- HanseSound (2022) (Germany) (Blu-ray)
- HanseSound (2022) (Germany) (DVD)
- Paris Vídeo (1991) (Brazil) (VHS)
- WGN (2000) (United States) (tv)
Special Effects
- The Magic Model Company (radio control aircraft by)
Other Companies
- Bell Helicopter (special thanks to)
- Castle Oaks Productions (sound post-production)
- Cinema Research (titles and optical effects by)
- Completion Bond Company (completion guaranty provided by)
- Credit Lyonnais Bank (Nederland) N.V. (special thanks to)
- Deluxe Entertainment Services (color by)
- Dolby Laboratories (in selected theatres)
- Filmtrucks (locations equipped by)
- Great Northern Brokerage Services (insurance provided by)
- Hansard (process compositing by)
- Home Box Office (HBO) (provided courtesy of: footage from Crack USA: County Under Siege)
- Honeywell (special thanks to)
- Inter Video (24 frame video services)
- Mario's Catering (caterer)
- McDonnell Douglas Corportion (special thanks to)
- Motion Picture Association (MPA) (no. 30312)
- Otto Nemenz International (camera & lenses provided by)
- Panavision (louma crane by)
- Photo Sonics (hi speed cameras by)
- Segue Music (music editing)
- Sunrise Film (negative cutter)
- TAJ Soundworks (additional sound effects)
- Technicolor (prints by)
- Texas Film Commission (special thanks to)
- The Burbank Studios (re-recorded at)
- The Casting Group (atmosphere)
- The Sound Choice (sound by)
- Tucson Film Commission (special thanks to)
- U.S. Army (special thanks)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
The U.S. Government is willing to help any country that requires help in ridding themselves of drugs with support from the Army. Unfortunately, the drug cartels have countered that offer by hiring one of the best air-combat mercenaries and have armed him with a Scorpion attack helicopter. The army decides to send in its best people from its Apache Air Combat school. But first they have to be taught how to fly air-to-air combat missions
Written by Michael O'Keefe |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | The best just got better. See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
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Additional Details
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Box Office
| Budget | $22,000,000 (estimated) |
| Opening Weekend United States | $6,358,761, 27 May 1990 |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | The enemy jet fighter is portrayed by a Swedish SAAB J 35F 'Draken' (Dragon). See more » |
| Goofs | An OH-58D (The helicopter flown by Sean Young's character) can not be flown single-pilot in the left seat. Many of the Mission-Related controls are only available to the Right-hand seat (Pilot-in-command seat.) See more » |
| Movie Connections | Edited into Supreme Sanction (1999). See more » |
| Soundtracks | Do You Remember See more » |
| Quotes |
Jake Preston:
I AM THE GREATEST! See more » |