Night Watch (1995 film)

Last updated
Night Watch
NightWatch1995.jpg
DVD cover
Also known asDetonator II: Night Watch
GenreAction
Thriller
Based onNight Watch
by Alistair MacNeill
Written by Alistair MacLean
Screenplay byDavid Jackson
Directed by David Jackson
Starring Pierce Brosnan
Alexandra Paul
Theme music composer John Scott
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Producer Peter Snell
CinematographyMichael Negrin
EditorEric Boyd-Perkins
Running time101 minutes
Production companyJ&M Entertainment
Budget$6,000,000
Original release
Network USA Network
ReleaseOctober 13, 1995 (1995-10-13)

Night Watch (also known as Detonator II: Night Watch) is a 1995 American television spy film directed by David Jackson starring Pierce Brosnan and Alexandra Paul. The film, also known as Alistair MacLean's Nightwatch, was shot in Hong Kong. The film aired on the USA Network. It is a sequel to Death Train .

Contents

Hong Kong location Mount Johnston Ap Lei Chau.jpg
Hong Kong location

Plot summary

Cast

Novel

Like Death Train, the film was based on a novel by Alistair MacNeill which in turn was based on a story by Alistair MacLean. [1]

MacLean had written a number of unfinished storylines before he died in 1987. These were fleshed out in novel form by Alistair MacNeill. Night Watch came out in 1990. A review of the novel said: "The book doesn't have MacLean's touch, but MacNeill has managed to capture some of the verve and daring spirit of the original. Like other recent remakes - including Ian Fleming and Rex Stout - this version of Alistair MacLean will probably fan the fires of loyalty among his fans". [2] In 1991 a Warwickshire Council trading standards department sued the publisher of the novel claiming misleading advertising. [3] In September the publishers were fined £6,250 for misleading advertising. By that stage they had sold 355,000 copies of MacNeill's novels. [4]

When a third MacNeill novel, Time of the Assassins, came out in late 1991 the cover art was amended so MacNeill's name was as large as MacLean's. [5]

Production

The film was shot in Zagreb, with some second unit filming involving Brosnan in Hong Kong. It was the last film Brosnan made before he played James Bond in Goldeneye. [6]

Producer Neil MacDonald said the budget "will cost less to make altogether than Pierce's fee for appearing as James Bond in his next film". [7]

Release

Night Watch aired on the USA Network on October 13, 1995. In the Philippines, the film was theatrically released by Globe Vision as The Destroyer in mid-1997. [8]

DVD release

Detonator II: Night Watch is available on Region 1 DVD both individually and bundled as a double pack with Detonator (a.k.a. Death Train). [9]

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References

  1. The Name Is Graham, Mike Graham, New York Times, 1 Oct 1995: TE5.
  2. Higgins a master at action, suspense: [FINAL Edition], Reviewed by Doug Williamson. The Windsor Star; Windsor, Ont., 19 May 1990: E5.
  3. Article 1 -- No Title: Taxi driver jailed over murders, The Guardian, 6 July 1991: 2.
  4. MacLean publishers fined, Chaudhary, Vivek. The Guardian, 28 Sep 1991: 3.
  5. Diary Moncur, Andrew. The Guardian, 13 Nov 1991: 23
  6. READY TO BOND: [3 STAR Edition], Orlando Sentinel, 21 Aug 1994: A2.
  7. Yu just the setting for a truly spectacular tiff, South China Morning Post; Hong Kong, 19 July 1994: 4.
  8. "Globe Vision announces big projects for '97". Manila Standard . Kamahalan Publishing Organization. June 2, 1997. p. 19. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  9. The DVD's ASIN is B000HXDWFK.