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.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Let’s Get Harry (1986)

Trace every key event in Let’s Get Harry (1986) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Kidnapping during pipeline unveiling

During the unveiling ceremony of the water pipeline in Colombia, rebels interrupt the event and take hostages, including a visiting American diplomat. In the chaos, Harry Burck is kidnapped as well, pulled away from the proceedings. The scene marks the start of a crisis that will ripple internationally.

During opening ceremony Colombia
2

Harry Burck is kidnapped

Harry Burck is forcibly taken by the rebels and disappears from view. His kidnapping creates a scar of fear across his family and colleagues, setting the stage for a high-stakes rescue. The fate of the engineers and diplomats becomes entwined with a dangerous criminal network.

Colombia
3

Mastermind revealed: Carlos Ochobar

Back home, Corey and his friends learn that the kidnapping was orchestrated by drug lord Carlos Ochobar. The revelation reframes their mission from simply finding Harry to stopping Ochobar’s operations. They realize the stakes are much larger than a single rescue.

4

Brothers seek government help

Corey and Bob travel to Washington, D.C. to seek rescue plans from the U.S. government. They are bluntly told there are no plans to mount a rescue. The official rejection pushes them toward taking matters into their own hands.

Washington, D.C.
5

Despondent father

Harry Burck, Sr. is despondent over his son's kidnapping, awaiting any sign of progress. The family’s hope is tempered by political delays and slow international response. His despair mirrors the personal toll of the crisis.

Burck family home
6

A plan forms to rescue Harry

Kurt reminds the group that they personally owe Harry something and that they must act. Despite initial skepticism from Kurt and Spence, the men decide to pursue a rescue. The decision marks a turning point from concern to action.

US
7

Funding and mercenary join the team

They enlist a sympathetic local car salesman, Jack, who funds the operation and insists on joining the mission. They also hire mercenary Norman Shrike to provide military expertise, though his training is rushed. The team becomes an unconventional, high-stakes rescue crew.

US
8

Departure to Colombia

With a sense of urgency, the team heads to Colombia to begin the rescue. They carry limited training and high hopes, relying on improvised tactics to outmaneuver danger. The cross-continental journey sets up the first real test of their resolve.

Colombia
9

Obstacles and skepticism

In Colombia, the group encounters resistance from wary local officials and skepticism from the U.S. government. Bureaucratic hurdles complicate the mission and threaten to derail the rescue. The odds grow as the clock keeps ticking.

Colombia
10

Arrest and imprisonment

A Shrike contact who was supposed to supply weapons sets them up, leading to their arrest. They are handed over to U.S. officials and placed on a plane back to the United States. The mission seems doomed as the group faces a forced return home.

Colombia
11

Escape before takeoff; Kurt quits

Just prior to takeoff, the group manages to escape, but Kurt decides to give up and go home. The remaining members press on with a smaller, tighter team. The detour tests their loyalty and commitment to the mission.

On board or airport
12

Resuming the trek toward Ochobar

The surviving members resume their trek toward Ochobar's camp, driven by the memory of Harry and the need to finish what they started. They push through difficult terrain and increasing danger. The mission shifts from a retreat to a focused pursuit.

Colombia
13

Shrike falls in battle

The group is engaged by rebels, and Shrike is killed in a firefight while saving one of the men. His sacrifice underscores the peril of the mission and the stakes for everyone left fighting. The team presses forward with renewed resolve.

Colombia
14

Final assault and rescue

With help from local Veronica, they locate Ochobar's hideout and launch a final assault. Jack is killed in the ensuing gunfight, but Harry is rescued and Ochobar's camp is destroyed. The operation shifts from survival to survival with victory.

Ochobar's camp, Colombia
15

Return home to a hero's welcome

Harry and the rescuers return home to a hero's welcome, celebrated for their bravery and determination. The harrowing ordeal becomes a defining moment for each man and for their families. Peace returns, at least for the moment, as the bonds forged in crisis endure.

US

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:27

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Let’s Get Harry

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