Target (1985)
A Cold War thriller where a father's buried past explodes into a desperate race across Europe to save his family.
Target - Movie Information
- Original Title: Target
- Release Year: 1985
- Directed by: Arthur Penn
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Action, Thriller
- Age Rating (US): R
- Runtime: 1h 57m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English, French, German
- Release Date (Theatrical): November 8, 1985 (United States - R), August 28, 1986 (Germany - 12), January 1, 1986 (France)
- Alternative Titles: Livsfarlig måltavla (SE), Мишень (RU), Forfulgt af fortiden (DK), 飛越東柏林 (CN), Agente doble en Berlín (ES), Target - Entführt in Paris (DE)
- Production Companies: CBS Theatrical Films, The Zanuck/Brown Company
- Production Countries: United States of America
Target - Plot
A Texan with a secret past searches Europe with his son after the KGB kidnaps his wife.
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Target - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Arthur Penn
Main Cast
- Gene Hackman
- Matt Dillon
- Gayle Hunnicutt
- Josef Sommer
- Guy Boyd
- Viktoriya Fyodorova
- Herbert Berghof
- Ilona Grübel
- Jean-Pol Dubois
- Ullrich Haupt
Writers
- Howard Beck
- Don Petersen
- Leonard B. Stern
Producers
- Richard D. Zanuck
- David Brown
Target - FAQs
What is Target (1985) about?
Target follows Walter Lloyd, a seemingly ordinary Texas lumber dealer whose wife is kidnapped by the KGB while vacationing in Paris. He and his estranged son Chris race across Europe to find her, uncovering Walter's buried past as a former CIA operative along the way. It's a tense father-son thriller set against Cold War Europe.
What secret is Walter Lloyd hiding in Target?
Walter Lloyd, played by Gene Hackman, appears to be a quiet small-town businessman, but the kidnapping of his wife exposes his true identity as a former CIA spy. His past operations in Cold War Europe come back to haunt him, forcing him to reveal his double life to his son Chris for the first time.
Where can you stream or watch Target (1985)?
Target (1985) is available to watch on Hoopla for free. You can also rent or buy it on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Fandango At Home. It's a solid pick for a Cold War thriller night.
Does Target explore the father-son relationship meaningfully?
Absolutely. The strained dynamic between Gene Hackman's Walter and Matt Dillon's Chris is the emotional core of the film. Chris sees his father as dull and distant — until the mission forces them to confront each other honestly. Their evolving bond gives the thriller genuine emotional weight beyond the espionage action.
Who are the main actors in Target (1985)?
The film stars Gene Hackman as Walter Lloyd, a former CIA operative, and Matt Dillon as his son Chris. Gayle Hunnicutt plays Donna Lloyd, the kidnapped wife. The supporting cast includes Josef Sommer, Guy Boyd, Viktoriya Fyodorova, and Herbert Berghof.
Who directed Target (1985) and what is his background?
Target was directed by Arthur Penn, the acclaimed filmmaker behind Bonnie and Clyde (1967) and Little Big Man (1970). Penn was known for bringing psychological depth and moral complexity to genre films, and he applies that same sensibility to this Cold War thriller, grounding the action in character-driven tension.
Is Target (1985) based on a true story?
No, Target is not based on a true story. It's an original screenplay by Howard Berk, Don Petersen, and Leonard B. Stern. However, the film draws on the very real atmosphere of Cold War espionage and KGB operations in Europe during the 1980s, lending it a grounded, plausible feel.
Where was Target (1985) filmed?
Target was filmed on location across Europe, with key sequences shot in Paris, France, and Hamburg, Germany — cities that serve as the backdrop for the Cold War chase. The authentic European locations give the film a genuine sense of place and period, enhancing its espionage atmosphere considerably.
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