Air Force One is a 1997 American action-thriller film directed by Wolfgang Petersen, starring Harrison Ford and Gary Oldman. The film follows the President of the United States (Ford), who is forced to fight off an attempted takeover of the President’s plane while his family are held hostage. The movie was a huge success at the box office, grossing over $315 million worldwide, and it was well-received by critics.
Wolfgang Petersen
Wolfgang Petersen is a German film director and producer. He is best known for directing films such as Das Boot, In the Line of Fire, Air Force One, and Troy. Petersen was born in Emden, Germany, and attended the University of Television and Film Munich. After graduation, he worked as a director for German television, directing episodes of popular shows such as Derrick. He made his feature film debut in 1979 with the German drama The Consequence.
Early Career
Petersen began his film career in 1979 with the German drama The Consequence. He followed this up with the 1982 submarine drama Das Boot, which was an international success and was nominated for six Academy Awards. After Das Boot, Petersen went on to direct films such as Enemy Mine (1985), Shattered (1991), In the Line of Fire (1993), and Outbreak (1995). He also directed the 1996 remake of Sabrina, starring Harrison Ford and Julia Ormond.
Air Force One
In 1997, Petersen directed Air Force One, a political action-thriller starring Harrison Ford as the President of the United States. The film was a box office success and was praised by critics for its action sequences and Ford’s performance. Petersen followed this up with the 2004 epic Troy, starring Brad Pitt and Eric Bana, and the 2006 drama Poseidon, starring Kurt Russell. He also directed the 2008 adaptation of the novel The Boy in the Striped Pajamas.
Later Career
In 2010, Petersen directed the disaster film The Great Wall, starring Matt Damon and Willem Dafoe. In 2012, he directed the submarine thriller A Hijacking, starring Pilou Asbæk and Søren Malling. In 2017, he directed the action-thriller The Guardians, starring Gerard Butler, Morgan Freeman, and Jada Pinkett Smith. His most recent film is the 2020 drama The Monuments Men, starring George Clooney, Matt Damon, and Cate Blanchett.
Awards and Nominations
Petersen has been nominated for several awards throughout his career, including two Academy Awards for Das Boot. He has also been nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Director three times, for the films In the Line of Fire, Air Force One, and Troy. In 2005, he was awarded the Bavarian Film Award for his body of work.
Personal Life
Petersen was married to actress Ursula Werner from 1975 to 1990. They have two children together, a daughter named Jennifer and a son named Alexander. Petersen is currently married to his second wife, Susanne Haun, with whom he has a daughter named Rebecca.
Conclusion
Wolfgang Petersen is a German film director and producer who is best known for directing films such as Das Boot, In the Line of Fire, Air Force One, and Troy. His films have been highly successful, both at the box office and with critics, and he has been nominated for several awards throughout his career. He is currently married to his second wife, Susanne Haun, with whom he has a daughter named Rebecca.