"A Father's Revenge" is a story about terrorism and one father's personal efforts to save his daughter. The audience appeal to this TV film would have been different than it is for an audience watching the film today. To understand that, it helps to consider the evolution of terrorism, especially since the mid-20th century.
There always has been terrorism of some kind someplace in the world. But except for genocidal campaigns that have occurred in history, most terrorism had been in isolated acts organized by small groups. The terrorism of today is more often widespread random acts of bombings and mass killings. These are associated mostly with radical Muslims. They are against governments, religious groups and nationalities and cultures. No one will ever forget 9-11– the Sept. 1, 2001, terrorist attacks on the U.S. that resulted in the collapse of the Twin Towers in New York City, and other death and destruction.
Two other major terrorist actions happened in the 1970s. In 1972, Palestinian terrorists killed 11 members of the Israeli Olympic team. Many people saw some of these killings live on TV. Then, in July, 1976, Palestinian and Neo-Nazi terrorists hijacked an Air France jetliner with 248 passengers aboard. They landed in Uganda where they had assistance from the government of dictator Idi Amin. After 148 passengers were released over two days, more than 100 Jewish and Israeli passengers (and the French captain of the plane) faced death if hundreds of political prisoners weren't released from prisons in Israel and Europe.
An excellent film was made on the daring Israeli rescue operation. Israeli planes carrying 100 commandos flew 2,500 miles at night, landed at the En Tebbe airport and rescued 102 passengers. Three passengers and the operation commander were killed, with five others wounded. But they killed all the terrorists and 47 Ugandan soldiers who were guarding the airport. Read any encyclopedia account for more on the En Tebbe hijacking and raid, and the terrorist reprisals against Kenyans and others who aided Israel in the raid.
So, by the time of this film, "A Father's Revenge," people in many nations were anxious when traveling. And, by that time, the U.S. and most Western nations had adopted official policies that they would not negotiate with terrorists. Sound reasoning was behind those policies. Negotiating with any terrorists only encouraged more terrorism. And, with no hope of negotiating, many would-be terrorists were discouraged from making such attempts.
Of course, that doesn't bring much hope to the families of people who are taken hostage in terrorist actions. This film is fiction and takes place in 1988. The plot is very good, but the script is a bit choppy in places and not well connected. The scenes in Frankfort and cinematography in Germany add to the film. The acting is fairly good overall, but I agree with another reviewer who said the portrayal of the terrorists was not very realistic. It seems strange that Paul Hobart, played by Brian Dennehy, didn't know outright that the U.S. would not negotiate with terrorists.
This film has a couple of surprise twists in it. Although it seems quite far-fetched, it has some good action and sleuthing, and makes for an interesting watch.
