Firepower
Year: 1979
Runtime: 104 mins
Language: English
Director: Michael Winner
The objective is to locate the world’s wealthiest individual, bring him back alive, and collect a $1 million reward. To achieve this, the FBI contracts a seasoned mercenary to hunt down the reclusive, powerful criminal, while a determined woman pursues him for her own personal vendetta.
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Firepower (1979) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained
Read the complete plot breakdown of Firepower (1979), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
In New York City, Adele Tasca, Sophia Loren, is present when her husband is murdered by a letter bomb. She suspects the reclusive billionaire Karl Stegner, George Touliatos, his former employer, of orchestrating the crime. Her husband, a chemist, had discovered that Stegner’s company produced a contaminated drug that caused cancer in patients. The US government is eager to bring charges against this elusive magnate who hides his face from the world and funnels income away from the tax authorities.
FBI agent Frank Hull, Vincent Gardenia, is assigned to the case but he’s unsure how to locate Stegner. To close the case, he enlists Sal Hyman, Eli Wallach, a former secret agent, to help him navigate the web surrounding Stegner’s empire. Sal, in turn, hires Jerry Fannon, James Coburn, a former mafia hitman, for a million dollars, and sends him to Antigua to pierce the protection network guarding Stegner.
On the island, Stegner’s right-hand man, Catlett, O. J. Simpson, is killed by Leo Gelhorn, George Grizzard, with the quiet aid of a determined Adele who seeks revenge. Jerry quietly tracks down Stegner, only to discover that he has captured Stegner’s double—an imposter used by Stegner’s men to mislead pursuers. Undeterred, Jerry returns to the island where Stegner is hiding and confronts the core operation. He dismantles the security by removing Dr. Félix’s vehicles and helicopter, and he takes Dr. Félix, Anthony Franciosa, prisoner, fleeing with Adele while being chased by Stegner’s guards.
As they make for a seaplane, Adele pulls a gun on Jerry, while Dr. Félix — who is really Stegner in disguise — springs to action and briefly turns the tables. Félix finally wields a weapon, but Adele looks away, and Jerry manages to escape with Dr. Félix, bringing him closer to justice. A little later, Adele is introduced to Howard Everett, Victor Mature, another billionaire whom she targets for her next conquest, leaving the door open for a new chapter in her dangerous and glittering world of power and intrigue.
Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 11:19
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Firepower Timeline
Track the full timeline of Firepower with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
