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Striking Distance
Striking Distance
Striking Distance
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Striking Distance
Theatrical release poster
Directed byRowdy Herrington
Written by
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyMac Ahlberg
Edited by
Music byBrad Fiedel
Distributed byColumbia Pictures
Release date
  • September 17, 1993 (1993-09-17)
Running time
101 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$30 million
Box office$77 million[1]

Striking Distance is a 1993 American action thriller film starring Bruce Willis as Pittsburgh Police homicide detective Thomas Hardy. The film co-stars Sarah Jessica Parker, Dennis Farina, and Tom Sizemore. It was directed by Rowdy Herrington and written by Herrington and Marty Kaplan. The film was shot on location throughout Pittsburgh; its early title was Three Rivers.

Plot

[edit]

Pittsburgh homicide detective Thomas Hardy turns in his partner and cousin, Jimmy Detillo, for using excessive force, which in turn causes him to become alienated by the majority of his fellow officers. Thomas and his father, Vincent, later receive a call indicating that the Polish Hill Strangler, a serial killer who Tom believes is an officer, was spotted driving nearby. As Tom and Vince pursue the killer, their vehicles collide and roll down an embankment. After regaining consciousness, Tom learns that Vince was shot dead and the killer escaped. Police arrest criminal Douglas Kesser as the Strangler. Later, Jimmy jumps off the 31st Street Bridge; his body is never located.

Two years later, an alcoholic Tom has been reassigned to the River Rescue Squad. He was demoted after telling a reporter that he believed the Strangler was a policeman. Called to the scene of a body dump, Tom finds the victim is an ex-girlfriend. He is assigned a new partner, Jo Christman. After a nurse is abducted, Tom receives a call similar to the ones left by the Strangler. Detective Eddie Eiler, who holds a grudge against Tom for testifying against Jimmy, states on TV the murder was committed by a copycat. Tom is met with opposition by his uncle, Captain Nick Detillo, after suggesting that the Strangler returned. Tom steals the Strangler file from the precinct to conduct an unauthorized investigation. The body of another of Tom's ex-girlfriends is later found.

Tom is invited to the Policemen's Ball by Jo, where a tussle occurs between Tom and the hostile officers. Jo takes Tom home, where they proceed to have sex while being observed by an unseen person.

The next morning, Tom and Jo stumble upon someone dumping what appears to be a wrapped body off a bridge. Tom destroys the suspect's car with a flare gun, but the unidentified individual escapes on foot. Divers retrieve the bundle only to find it merely a group of rugs. Tom and Jo are humiliated by their peers. Later that night in bed, the lovers share their suspicions that the killer dumped the rugs to discredit them. Jo then confesses that she was previously married and now has a four-year-old daughter.

Meanwhile, Eiler informs Nick that he suspects Tom of the murders. Nick discloses that Tom has been under scrutiny by Internal Affairs. During a court hearing to have Tom removed from the force, it is revealed that Jo's real name is Emily Harper, a Pennsylvania State Police investigator probing Tom for evidence of misconduct. Emily perjures herself, and Tom goes free.

That evening, Emily is kidnapped while Tom finds the body of another victim (this time a coworker from River Rescue) outside his houseboat. Thinking that Jimmy's brother Danny has been committing the murders out of revenge, Tom heads upriver to the Detillo family cabin. Just as Danny arrives, someone tases Tom unconscious. Tom awakens to find himself, Danny, and Emily handcuffed to chairs. The killer turns out to be Jimmy, who survived the fall into the river. Jimmy is about to kill Emily when Nick walks in and tells Jimmy to turn himself in. It was revealed two years back, Nick arrived at the crash site, confronted the killer, and was horrified to find it was Jimmy. Jimmy begged Nick to let him go, which he did. Vince pried himself out of the wreckage and aimed at the fleeing killer, unaware that it was Jimmy. Nick tried to stop him and, in the ensuing struggle, accidentally shot Vince dead.

Jimmy shoots Nick and fights with Danny, giving Tom a chance to free himself. As the police close in, Jimmy flees in Tom's motorboat with Tom in pursuit. The two fight and fall into the Ohio River, where Tom kills Jimmy with the taser. Tom is later reinstated as a detective and visits Vince's grave with Emily and her daughter Sarah, putting a wreath on it.

Cast

[edit]
  • Bruce Willis as Sergeant Thomas "Tom Tommy" Hardy, a former homicide detective who was partnered with his cousin whom he later testified against. He is now an officer with the city's River Rescue Squad.
  • Sarah Jessica Parker as PSP Detective Trooper Emily Harper / Officer Jo Christman
  • Dennis Farina as Captain Nick Detillo, Tom's maternal uncle and Danny and Jimmy's father
  • Tom Sizemore as Danny Detillo, Tom's maternal cousin, Jimmy's younger brother, and Nick's son. Formerly a Pittsburgh Police Officer as well. He leaves the force and becomes an alcoholic.
  • Brion James as Detective Eddie Eiler, a loud, rude overzealous detective who despises Tom for ratting on his partner
  • Robert Pastorelli as Jimmy Detillo, Tom's disgraced and extremely psychotic maternal cousin and partner.
  • Timothy Busfield as Officer Sacco, a by-the-book but sarcastic officer, who was Tom's first partner in the River Rescue Squad
  • John Mahoney as Captain Vince Hardy, Tom's father
  • Andre Braugher as District Attorney Frank Morris
  • Tom Atkins as Sergeant Fred Hardy, a police officer and Tom's paternal uncle
  • Mike Hodge as Captain Penderman, Tom's commanding officer on the River Rescue Squad
  • Jodi Long as Kim Lee, a dispatcher of the River Rescue Squad
  • Roscoe Orman as Sid
  • Gareth Williams as Chick Chicanis
  • Billy Hartung as Boat Preppie
  • Robert Gould as Douglas Kesser
  • Timothy Butts as Huck Tuckerman

Production

[edit]

The film was cited as one of the many troubled projects during the time Sony Pictures was run by Jon Peters and Peter Guber. It took a huge amount of resources to merely break even.

Filming took 13 weeks in the summer of 1992 in Pittsburgh. The working title was Three Rivers, and it was scheduled for release on May 21, 1993. But after the original cut performed poorly with test audiences, extensive reshoots were done in Los Angeles, with story changes and removal of some plot points. Because of this, the release date was pushed from May to Sept. 17.[2] According to articles and reports at the time, test audiences were unimpressed with the initial cut of the film largely allegedly because they found parts of it confusing. Those parts were added into director Rowdy Herrington's and Marty Kaplan's original script by star Willis. One source claimed the original cut was like "Hudson Hawk without the laughs."[3]

One of the veteran production members said that Willis "called the shots like he did on '(Hudson) Hawk' and like he used to do on Moonlighting. He had scenes rewritten. He did what he wanted to do. We were working with Orson Willis."[3]

When news about reshoots was reported, Columbia's then-current chairman Mark Canton said in an interview that he "couldn't be more enthusiastic" about the film, predicting it would be a "beyond-sizable hit". But in order to do so, the movie had to make a $30 million-plus profit at the box office. Canton was known for being heavily involved in several other films in earlier years that had very troubled productions and received negative receptions from audiences during test screenings. Those include Wes Craven's sci-fi horror film Deadly Friend, one of Willis's earlier box office flops The Bonfire of the Vanities, and John McTiernan's Last Action Hero. Just as he did with Striking Distance, Canton kept the news and rumors about problems on sets of those films and negative responses from test audiences from the public and demanded heavy changes on the films, which only ended up making matters worse.

In Striking Distance's case, for example, all the love/intimate scenes between Hardy and Jo were re-shot to make them sexier. Several dialogue scenes, such as the scene in the bar between Willis and Sizemore, were also cut to make the film's pace quicker. The change in tone made Columbia change the title from Three Rivers to Striking Distance, as it now focused more on the action/thriller elements. Although his interference in the script and huge ego during filming caused problems with the production and the original cut, Willis was still very angry because he had to return for re-shoots, so much so that he blamed Herrington for it, despite the fact that Herrington defended Willis in interviews regarding problems with the film. According to cast and crew, Willis treated Herrington very poorly during both initial filming and re-shoots.[3]

Reception

[edit]

Box office

[edit]

Striking Distance opened at number one at the US box office with a gross of $8,705,808 but only went on to gross a total of $24 million.[4][5] Internationally it did better, including a number one opening in France, grossing $53 million for a worldwide total of $77 million[1] on a budget of $30 million.[6]

Critical response

[edit]

On Rotten Tomatoes the film has an approval rating of 20% based on 25 reviews. The site's consensus states: "Weighed down by a rote story and passionless performances, Striking Distance represents one of the lesser '90s genre outings from action hero Bruce Willis."[7] On Metacritic it has a score of 36% based on reviews from 25 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews".[8] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B" on an A+ to F scale.[9]

Roger Ebert rated the film one and a half out of four stars, criticizing the film's cliches (even listing them individually) and stating: "The credits say 'written by Rowdy Herrington and Martin Kaplan,' but the right word would have been 'anthologized'."[10] Owen Gleiberman called the film a "flat, dankly lit, grindingly inept thriller about a serial killer whose victims all turn out to have been acquaintances of Willis' rumpled, alcoholic cop hero."[11]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Striking Distance

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Striking Distance is a American action directed and co-written by , starring as Pittsburgh Police sergeant Tom Hardy, a maverick homicide detective who is demoted to the marine unit after publicly accusing a fellow officer of involvement in his father's murder, and who subsequently investigates a that begins targeting his former girlfriends. The story unfolds in , where Hardy, now partnered with Jo Christman (), navigates internal police politics and personal vendettas while pursuing the elusive killer, blending elements of crime mystery and high-stakes action set against the city's rivers and bridges. The supporting cast includes as Detective Eddie Eiler, as Captain Nick Detillo, and as Hardy’s late partner Jimmy Detillo. Produced by with a of $30 million, the film was released in theaters on September 17, 1993, running for 101 minutes and earning an R rating for violence, language, and some sexuality. It opened at number one at the North American box office with $8.7 million but ultimately grossed $24.1 million domestically, failing to recoup its costs. Critically, Striking Distance was poorly received, with a 20% Tomatometer score on based on 25 reviews, where the consensus describes it as "weighed down by a rote story and passionless performances," marking one of Bruce Willis's lesser action films of the . It also holds a 5.9/10 rating on from over 47,000 user votes.

Overview

Plot

Tom Hardy, a fifth-generation , testifies against his partner and cousin, Jimmy Detillo, in an internal affairs investigation into excessive force during the of a suspect; disgraced, Jimmy leaps to his apparent death from a bridge while fleeing arrest. Branded a "rat" by his colleagues and facing ongoing harassment from his police family—including his uncle, Fred Hardy—Tom is already isolated within the department. While driving with his father, Captain Vince Hardy, the chief of detectives, en route to the annual Policemen's Ball, Tom pursues a known as the Polish Hill Strangler, who strangles young women and dumps their bodies in the city's rivers. During a high-speed with the killer, the suspect causes an accident; Tom's father is killed, and the killer escapes after shooting at pursuing officers. A suspect, Douglas Kessner, is apprehended and charged, but Tom publicly doubts his guilt, theorizing on television that the Strangler's knowledge of police procedures indicates the killer is a cop, which further isolates him within the department. Demoted from homicide to the River Rescue Squad, where he patrols Pittsburgh's three rivers on a patrol boat while battling alcoholism, Tom continues to face harassment from his police family. Two years later, in 1993, the body of Tom's ex-girlfriend, a nurse, surfaces in the Ohio River, strangled in a manner matching the Strangler's modus operandi; over the following weeks, more strangled women—all Tom's former romantic interests—are discovered in the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers, prompting Tom to resume his investigation despite official dismissal of any connection to the original case. Assigned a new partner, Jo Christman, an experienced officer initially antagonistic toward him, Tom confides his suspicions that the killer remains at large and is targeting him personally; their partnership evolves into mutual respect and romance as they covertly probe the killings, clashing with internal affairs, who view Tom as the prime suspect due to the victims' links to him. As the murders continue, Tom scrutinizes his extended family within the force, including his and cousins, noting patterns like the killings pausing during a nephew's trip to and resuming upon his return—though this lead proves false. Tensions escalate during a family gathering at a remote cabin, where revelations about the original chase surface: Tom's had discovered Jimmy's involvement in the Strangler killings but covered for him, and in the ensuing , the uncle accidentally shot Vince while trying to stop Jimmy. The true twist emerges when Jimmy, having faked his by surviving the bridge fall, is unmasked as the Polish Hill Strangler; he murders his own father in the chaos and flees. The climax unfolds in a nighttime boat pursuit on the dark waters of the , where Tom and Jo chase Jimmy in a stolen vessel; amid gunfire and collisions with debris, Tom confronts his cousin in on a garbage , ultimately subduing and killing him with a after a brutal struggle. Vindicated but scarred by the betrayal within his family and the force, Tom finds partial redemption through his partnership with Jo, as the Strangler's ends.

Cast

The principal cast of Striking Distance is led by as , a demoted reassigned to river patrol who leads the investigation into a series of murders, drawing on his deep family ties within the Department to navigate internal conflicts. portrays Jo Christman, Hardy's partner on the force, whose ambiguous loyalties as both ally and potential suspect heighten the film's suspense around issues of trust and deception. Supporting roles bolster the thriller's ensemble dynamic, emphasizing departmental rivalries and familial pressures. plays Capt. Nick Detillo, Hardy's uncle and superior officer, whose authority figures prominently in the procedural elements and personal stakes of the story. appears as Danny Detillo, Hardy's antagonistic cousin and fellow detective, contributing to the interpersonal tensions that drive the narrative's intensity. is cast as Det. Eddie Eiler, another colleague whose role underscores the cutthroat atmosphere within the precinct. Additional key supporting performances include as Det. Jimmy Detillo, further highlighting the Hardy family's entrenched position in ; as Capt. Vince Hardy, representing paternal legacy; and as Dist. Atty. Frank Morris, adding prosecutorial oversight to the investigation. The ensemble's interplay, particularly the familial connections among the police characters, enhances the film's exploration of loyalty and betrayal in a high-stakes thriller setting, with background roles filled by local Pittsburgh talent to authentically capture the city's riverside environment.

Production

Development

The screenplay for Striking Distance originated from writer-director Rowdy Herrington, a Pittsburgh native, who conceived the story set around the city's three rivers, drawing inspiration from real-life river patrols conducted by local police. Originally titled Three Rivers, the screenplay was purchased by Regency Enterprises on 4 May 1990 for $900,000, including directing rights and unlimited rewrites. Co-written with Marty Kaplan, the initial draft emphasized themes of internal police corruption and family betrayal within a law enforcement dynasty, reflecting Herrington's desire to capture the gritty underbelly of Pittsburgh's waterways and institutional loyalties. Bruce Willis became involved in the early 1990s, following the success of (1991), which helped revive his action star status after earlier setbacks, and he advocated for the project as a grounded cop thriller distinct from his high-octane . Development had paused due to Willis's recent disappointments but resumed after . Starring as the protagonist Tom Hardy, Willis joined under an initial non-pay-or-play contract valued at $13 million, which was later renegotiated to approximately $9–$10 million, and contributed to script revisions during to enhance character depth and narrative tension. Herrington was chosen to direct based on his prior work helming the action-oriented Road House (1989), bringing experience in blending visceral set pieces with character-driven drama. The project secured financing from through , with negotiations settling on a $30 million budget to support location shooting in and practical effects for river sequences. As development progressed, the script underwent significant rewrites to amplify , including the introduction of romantic tension between the leads—Willis and —to balance the procedural elements. Creative conflicts arose over the film's tone, with debates centering on whether to lean into explosive action or maintain a taut vibe, ultimately aiming for a hybrid that highlighted moral ambiguity in policing.

Filming

Principal photography for Striking Distance took place primarily in , , from early June to September 1992, spanning a 70-day schedule over approximately 12 weeks. The production utilized the city's distinctive geography to enhance authenticity, with key action sequences filmed along the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio Rivers, reflecting the script's emphasis on river patrol duties. Specific sites included , the , Armstrong Tunnel, , neighborhood, and downtown areas such as Bigelow Boulevard and Second Avenue. Interiors were shot at local police stations, while boats were sourced from the Pittsburgh River Rescue unit to maintain realism in marine sequences. The film's water-based stunts presented significant technical challenges, particularly those involving real river currents during the climactic boat chase at the Tarentum dam on the . These sequences were coordinated by a stunt team using reinforced models of a 21-foot 1956 Chris Craft powerboat and a 27-foot , captured with three cameras to simulate high-risk jumps and collisions. Production also incorporated eight weeks of night shoots for suspenseful scenes, relying on practical effects like squibs and dust hits to achieve a gritty, authentic look without heavy digital intervention. Heavy rains during one field shoot caused vehicles to slide uncontrollably down a hillside, adding unforeseen logistical hurdles. To prepare for the demanding river scenes, cast members including underwent training in diving, boat piloting, and CPR under the guidance of Pittsburgh River Rescue Captain Bob McCaughan. Post-production reshoots in February 1993 at Sony Pictures Studios in , intensified certain boat chase elements to address pacing issues identified in test screenings.

Release and Reception

Theatrical release and box office

Striking Distance was released theatrically in the United States on September 17, 1993, distributed by . The film premiered in 1,889 theaters and saw an international rollout later that year, including releases in on October 30, 1993, and on December 24, 1993. Marketing efforts centered on Bruce Willis's star power as a disgraced river cop pursuing a , with trailers and television spots emphasizing the film's thriller elements and local setting to capitalize on Willis's popularity from action hits like the series. Promotional materials, including taglines such as "They shouldn't have put him in the same river with the killer," were designed to highlight the high-stakes cat-and-mouse plot. The movie debuted at number one at the North American , grossing $8,705,808 over its opening weekend and surpassing holdover competitor The Fugitive. It ultimately earned $24,107,867 domestically against a $30 million , a performance deemed modest relative to expectations for a Willis-led thriller. The film's underwhelming returns were partly attributed to its critical panning. Worldwide totals aligned closely with domestic figures, indicating limited international success.

Critical response

Upon its release in 1993, Striking Distance received predominantly negative reviews from critics, earning a 20% approval rating on based on 25 reviews. awarded the film 1.5 out of 4 stars, describing it as a "generic" thriller that recycles tired clichés such as the rebel cop, the framing the , and an obligatory romantic subplot, ultimately lacking energy and style. The film's plot was criticized for misleading clues and predictable elements, including the revelation of the killer's identity, which frustrated viewers expecting more originality. Despite the overall negative consensus, some reviewers praised specific aspects of the production. Bruce Willis's portrayal of the demoted detective Tom was highlighted for its charisma and engagement, with Ebert noting that Willis "seems to be having a good time" amid the film's flaws. The depiction of was commended for its authenticity, capturing the city's blue-collar streets and three rivers in a stark, realistic manner that added atmospheric depth to the setting. The river-based action sequences, including high-speed boat pursuits, were particularly well-regarded for their staging and excitement, contributing to the film's pulpy entertainment value even as the narrative faltered. Critics frequently pointed to shortcomings in the script and character development as major detractors. The female lead, played by as Jo Christman, was seen as underdeveloped, with her role lacking spark or depth despite the actress's capable performance, resulting in a romance that felt forced and unconvincing. The story's reliance on clichéd cop drama tropes—such as internal and vengeful pursuits—was unfavorably compared to superior vehicles like Die Hard, underscoring the film's derivative nature. Pacing issues further hampered the experience, with noticeable lulls interrupting the thriller's momentum. Audience reception mirrored the critical divide but was slightly more forgiving, as evidenced by an average rating of 5.9 out of 10 on from over 47,000 user votes. The film's underperformance at the was partly attributed to this poor word-of-mouth from initial reviews.

Home media and legacy

Following its theatrical run, Striking Distance was released on by Columbia TriStar Home Video on March 2, 1994. A DVD edition followed on July 14, 1998, available in both widescreen and full-screen formats from . The film received a Blu-ray release on June 16, 2009, also distributed by , featuring enhanced video and audio quality that highlighted its action sequences. In the 2010s, it became available for streaming on platforms including and Crackle, broadening access to audiences beyond physical media. Over time, the film developed a , particularly through frequent cable TV reruns in the 2000s and availability, where viewers appreciated its blend of thriller elements and Pittsburgh setting despite mixed initial reception. This appreciation grew among fans of Willis's action roles and enthusiasts, positioning it as an underrated entry in his filmography. Marking its 30th anniversary in 2023, retrospectives in media celebrated the film's showcase of local landmarks, including the , dams, and neighborhoods like Mt. Washington, portraying the city as a vibrant character in the story. Writer-director , a Pittsburgh native, reflected on the production's use of authentic locations and practical effects, such as boat jumps over dams and a that wrecked 40 vehicles, highlighting overlooked strengths in work. In terms of legacy, Striking Distance contributed to cop thriller narratives by exploring themes of internal and family within , themes echoed in later films addressing institutional distrust. Willis's portrayal of the demoted detective served as an early example of his transition toward more dramatic roles amid action projects, blending high-stakes pursuits with personal turmoil. No sequels were produced, but the film remains a notable reference in Pittsburgh's cinematic history, often cited for elevating the region's profile in Hollywood productions through its on-location filming in 1992.

References

  1. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108238/
  2. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/striking_distance
  3. https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0108238/
  4. https://www.upi.com/Archives/1993/09/20/Striking-Distance-tops-The-Fugitive-at-box-office/4963748497600/
  5. https://variety.com/1993/film/reviews/striking-distance-1200433322/
  6. https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/striking-distance-1993
  7. https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/moviedetails/59672
  8. https://www.pghcitypaper.com/arts-entertainment-2/30-years-later-action-movie-classic-striking-distance-still-hits-24565296/
  9. https://ryansmoviereviews.com/2025/01/11/striking-distance/
  10. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108238/fullcredits/
  11. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/striking_distance/cast-and-crew
  12. https://www.slashfilm.com/1044314/the-bruce-willis-movie-that-was-completely-changed-during-production/
  13. https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/striking-distance-30-year-retrospective/
  14. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108238/releaseinfo/
  15. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108238/taglines/
  16. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltRqZSVtFgM
  17. https://spectrumculture.com/2010/07/03/in-defense-of-striking-distance/
  18. https://www.nytimes.com/1993/09/17/movies/reviews-film-three-rivers-two-officers-one-killer.html
  19. https://www.metacritic.com/movie/striking-distance/critic-reviews/
  20. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b80a4QgXlzA
  21. https://www.amazon.com/Striking-Distance-Dennis-Farina/dp/0767807588
  22. https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Striking-Distance-Blu-ray/5042/
  23. https://www.netflix.com/title/1008461
  24. https://pghfilm.org/pittsburgh-filmed-features-and-series-you-can-stream-at-home/
  25. https://www.facebook.com/CulturalLensofTime/posts/striking-distance-1993-is-a-high-stakes-action-thriller-set-in-pittsburgh-pennsy/615915901534589/
  26. http://www.robotgeekscultcinema.com/2018/01/90s-thriller-throwback-striking-distance.html
  27. https://www.pittsburghmagazine.com/retro-review-striking-distance-has-pittsburgh-loyalty-above-all-else/
  28. https://acrosspittsburgh.com/pittsburgh-in-art/films/striking-distance
  29. https://bandsaboutmovies.com/2019/06/06/striking-distance-1993/
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