Patriot Games (1992)

Patriot Games (1992), an American action thriller film directed by Phillip Noyce and based on Tom Clancy’s novel of the same name, follows Jack Ryan. He is a former CIA analyst who now teaches history at the United States Naval Academy. While in London with his physician wife, Cathy, and young daughter Sally, Ryan witnesses and intervenes in a terrorist kidnapping attempt on Lord William Holmes. He is wounded but manages to disarm one terrorist and fatally shoot two others before subduing Sean Miller. The attack was carried out by a radical IRA splinter cell led by Kevin O’Donnell, which also results in the death of Miller’s younger brother. After the incident, IRA operatives try and fail to assassinate O’Donnell due to his extreme views. Miller is later convicted for his involvement and while being transported to prison, O’Donnell’s comrades ambush the police convoy, freeing Miller and killing the guards.

After fleeing to North Africa, O’Donnell makes plans for his next attempt on Lord Holmes. In the midst of seeking revenge for his brother’s death, Miller is joined by O’Donnell’s lover, Annette, and a group of others as they travel to the US with the intention of assassinating Ryan. As this unfolds, British police are actively monitoring an IRA operative who has been identified as the source of tip-offs to potential terrorist activities. Meanwhile, back in the United States, Ryan is alerted about Miller’s escape from custody. Shortly after, he narrowly escapes an assassination attempt made by Miller’s accomplices. At the same time, Miller sets his sights on Cathy, who is driving home to Annapolis on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. The resulting impact causes Cathy’s car to crash into a highway divider and Sally sustains serious injuries that require her spleen to be removed.