Let’s Get Harry

Let’s Get Harry

Year: 1986

Runtime: 102 mins

Language: English

Directors: Stuart Rosenberg, Alan Smithee

Action

An adventure that taps into the hero within each of us. After Harry Burck is kidnapped by South American terrorists and the U.S. government declines to act, his loyal friends launch a bold rescue mission of their own, determined to bring him home, they devise their own plan, risking danger at every turn.

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Timeline & Setting – Let’s Get Harry (1986)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Let’s Get Harry (1986). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Colombia, Washington D.C.

In Colombia, the action unfolds against a backdrop of rebel activity and cartel influence, with a water pipeline project at the center of the opening ceremony. The journey moves from the initial kidnapping in Colombia to the political corridors of Washington, D.C., where the government weighs its response. The setting features rugged terrains, urban centers, and a tense security climate that drives the rescue mission.

🌎 Colombia 🧭 Adventure 🏛️ U.S. Involvement

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:46

Main Characters – Let’s Get Harry (1986)

Meet the key characters of Let’s Get Harry (1986), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Harry Burck (Mark Harmon)

An American engineer overseeing a water pipeline project in Colombia. He is abducted during a high-profile ceremony, and his resilience under captivity anchors the mission. He demonstrates technical savvy and stubborn determination, pressing his teammates to persevere. His survival and return become the catalyst for the group’s effort.

🧭 Protagonist ⚙️ Engineer

Corey Burck (Michael Schoeffling)

Harry's brother and a factory coworker, Corey is driven by loyalty and a sense of debt to his sibling. He negotiates with his friends to take matters into their own hands when the government refuses a rescue. He balances courage with pragmatism as the plan evolves. His leadership helps keep the group focused on bringing Harry home.

🤝 Loyal 🎯 Determined

Spence (Glenn Frey)

Spence is a loyal coworker who is initially skeptical but committed to the cause. He provides practical support and camaraderie during the perilous journey. He faces moral and physical danger with a steady demeanor. His presence underscores the film’s idea that friendship can mobilize ordinary people.

🌟 Loyal 🧭 Guide

Kurt Klein (Rick Rozovich)

Kurt Klein is cautious but ultimately loyal to the group’s mission. He reminds the others of their past debts to Harry and pushes them to act, even when the odds look grim. He weighs personal risk against friendship and responsibility. His choices reflect the tension between prudence and courage.

🧭 Cautious 💡 Voice of Reason

Shrike (Robert Duvall)

Shrike is a battle-hardened mercenary hired to train the group, offering ruthless efficiency and rough charm. He pushes the inexperienced rescuers to improvise and survive in hostile territory. His tactical acumen saves lives, but his presence also foreshadows the high human cost of the mission. Shrike meets a fatal end while protecting the group.

🗺️ Mercenary 💥 Ruthless

Jack (Gary Busey)

Jack is a car salesman who funds the expedition and insists on joining as a condition of funding. He provides street-smarts and a pragmatic perspective, balancing skepticism with willingness to take risks. His loyalty to the team is tested by the mission’s brutal realities. Jack is killed in Ochobar’s camp, marking a pivotal loss.

💼 Fundraiser 🧰 Practical

Veronica (Elpidia Carrillo)

Veronica is a local woman who aids the group with her knowledge of the terrain and her courage. She becomes a crucial ally, helping them navigate danger and reach Ochobar’s camp. Her involvement illustrates how local alliances can matter in foreign rescue efforts. She embodies resilience in a hostile environment.

🌺 Local Ally 🗺️ Guide

Mr. Burck Sr. (Ben Johnson)

Harry's father is grief-stricken over his son's kidnapping, yet he remains a source of support and moral anchor for the family. He embodies the emotional cost of the crisis and the desire to see his son safe. His reaction highlights the personal stakes behind the political and military actions.

👨‍👦 Father Figure 😢 Grief

Walt Clayton (Matt Clark)

Walt Clayton is a coworker who provides financial support and practical help from the United States side. He represents the civilian backing that accompanies the rescue effort, bridging the gap between corporate interests and frontline action. His involvement underscores the cross-border nature of the mission.

🧑‍💼 Supportive 🤝 Connector

Bob

Bob is one of Harry's coworkers who joins the plan to rescue him, driven by loyalty and a sense of duty to his colleagues. He contributes to the team’s morale and manpower as they push into danger.

🤝 Loyal 🧭 Companion

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:46

Major Themes – Let’s Get Harry (1986)

Explore the central themes of Let’s Get Harry (1986), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💪 Camaraderie

Friendship and loyalty become the core engine of the mission, pulling ordinary coworkers into a dangerous rescue. Each member contributes his own skills and courage, turning fear into action. The group's bond is tested by setbacks, but shared purpose keeps them pressing forward. The climax reframes bravery as a collective effort rather than a lone hero’s act.

⚖️ Moral Dilemma

The film juxtaposes private resolve with official hesitation, highlighting the tension between citizen initiative and government policy. The rescuers confront the consequences of operating outside the law as they improvise tactics and take risks. The narrative asks whether ends justify means when a loved one is in danger. It suggests that accountability can fall to ordinary people when institutions fail.

💥 Violence

Violent confrontations punctuate the voyage, from firefights to ambushes in hostile terrain. Key sacrifices intensify the stakes, including Shrike’s death while saving others and Jack’s demise in Ochobar’s camp. The danger underscores the high price of extralegal rescue missions. In the end, survival hinges on quick decisions under fire.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:46

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Let’s Get Harry Timeline

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