The Hunter is a 1980 action thriller film directed by Buzz Kulik and starring actor Steve McQueen in his final role; he would die in November of that year, just three months after its release.
The film is an episodic and heavily fictionalized account of the exploits of real-life bounty hunter Ralph "Papa" Thorson, as he goes after bail-jumpers across the country. In a subplot, Papa and his pregnant girlfriend (Kathryn Harrold) are stalked by a psychotic drug addict out to seek revenge on the former for apprehending him. The movie is also notable for featuring LeVar Burton in one of his earlier cinematic roles.
Tropes featured in this film include:
- Actor IS the Title Character
- Adaptational Attractiveness: Compare McQueen's Papa to the genuine article.
- The Alleged Car: Papa's '51 Chevy convertible.
- Ax-Crazy: Rocco Mason, in no small part thanks to his speed addiction.
- Babies Ever After: The film ends with Papa's girlfriend giving birth after Papa rushes her to the hospital.
- Bounty Hunter: "Papa" Thorson, of course.
- This movie is one of the more accurate depictions of what a bounty hunter does in Real Life. At one point, Papa requires one of his captured bail jumpers (played by Le Var Burton) to read aloud the federal laws governing how bounty hunters work.
- Brutal Honesty: On being faced with parents who insist Mama Didn't Raise No Criminal, Blumenthal points out their son is a rat who's hiding out regardless of his parents having to forfeit the bail money, because if he does surrender he'll go to jail for a long time.
- Chase Scene: There are a couple.
- Cowboy Cop: Papa isn't a law enforcement officer, but he nevertheless fulfills the trope.
- Creator Cameo: The real "Papa" Thorson appears as a bartender.
- Damsel in Distress: Dotty is kidnapped by Rocco Mason in the third act.
- Drives Like Crazy: Papa is a terrible driver and the worst at parking.
- Drowning My Sorrows: Papa, after his friend Spota commits suicide.
- Hypocritical Humor: After Billy Joe thrashes Papa, with his girlfriend shouting encouragement, Papa finally knocks Billy out using the beanbag gun, whereupon she complains about Papa hurting him.
- Imperiled in Pregnancy: Dotty finds herself being stalked by a psychotic criminal who holds a grudge against Papa for capturing him.
- Knight in Sour Armor: Papa. He's tired, jaded, world-weary, and openly mulls quitting his job, but he's ultimately a good man. He prefers not to kill his bounties, even in some cases where it'd be easier to.
- Last of His Kind
- Rude Hero, Nice Sidekick: Papa, who is a Knight in Sour Armor, and his bail bondsman Ritchie Blumenthal, who is kind, supportive and professional.
- Rule of Cool: Although based on a real life bounty hunter, the film vastly exaggerates the dangerous situations a real bounty hunter would face for audience excitement.
- Screw the Rules, I Have Connections!: Early on, a sheriff advises that Papa not take a fugitive back to Los Angeles with him on the grounds that said fugitive is his nephew. Papa captures the man anyway.
- Short-Distance Phone Call: Papa gets a threatening phone call. After he hangs up, the caller is shown behind him using a public phone.
- Stuff Blowing Up: Papa chases a pair of dynamite-wielding brothers through a cornfield.
- Trick Bullet: "Papa" Thorson carries a stun gun that fires beanbag rounds to allow him to bring his bounties in alive. Leads to this immortal exchange:Price: Hey, Papa; what the hell is that thing?
Papa: Stun gun.
Price: Well what does it do?
Papa: Ruins your day. - "Wanted!" Poster
- Watch the Paint Job: Papa's rented Trans Am. Brand new, only 78 miles. Sadly, thanks to the dynamite-wielding brothers, the car is returned to the rental agency in pieces after it got blown up.
