Mike Hammer: Murder Takes All

Mike Hammer: Murder Takes All

Year: 1989

Runtime: 92 mins

Language: English

Director: John Nicolella

ActionCrime

Mike Hammer is kidnapped and led to believe it is the work of a Las Vegas entertainer, but soon realises somebody else is involved.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Mike Hammer: Murder Takes All yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – Mike Hammer: Murder Takes All (1989)

Trace every key event in Mike Hammer: Murder Takes All (1989) 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

Abduction in Las Vegas

Mike Hammer is summoned to Las Vegas by Johnny Roman, but he refuses and is abducted while the entertainer tries to coerce him into helping. Johnny insists the favor is because Barbara Leguire stole something from him, hinting at a larger conspiracy. Hammer's capture sets the escalating conflict in motion.

Las Vegas
2

Meeting at the wedding chapel

While staying at the Hilton, Hammer receives an anonymous invitation to meet someone at a wedding chapel. The person turns out to be Helen Durant, a wealthy socialite with her own secrets. The meeting deepens the web of accusations surrounding Hammer.

Las Vegas (wedding chapel)
3

Johnny's death and frame-up

Johnny Roman is killed in an explosive trap, and someone plants evidence to point to Hammer. The death triggers a cascade of investigations and casts doubt on Hammer's innocence. The immediate suspect becomes Hammer himself.

Hilton casino (Las Vegas)
4

Barbara Leguire's murder

Barbara Leguire is murdered, ensuring Hammer remains the prime suspect. The clock is ticking as Hammer tries to clear his name while new motives surface. The case widens beyond Johnny's death to a broader frame-up.

Las Vegas
5

Hospitalization after the fall

Hammer chases a suspect from the hotel roof and falls, landing in the hospital. There he meets Dr. Carl Durant, who asks who bailed him out of jail, a key clue to the bonds among the Durant family. The encounter deepens the convoluted web of relationships.

Hospital (Las Vegas)
6

Discharged and new allies

After discharging himself, Hammer encounters Amy Durant and Carl's accountant, Brad Peters, continuing the search for answers. They become tangled in a dangerous investigation centering on Hilton and the Durants. The trio begins pursuing leads together.

7

Arrest and Bundy revealed as attacker

Hammer tries to enter the Hilton's control room but is arrested, and security supervisor Leora Van Treas reveals William Bundy as the attacker. This shifts the mystery from personal vendettas to a larger criminal plot. The truth about the assault starts to emerge.

Hilton control room
8

Desert trek to Bundy’s ranch

Brad arranges a trip to Bundy's Rosy Buttes ranch; Hammer and Brad are abandoned in the desert after a fight with Bundy and are rescued by a biker. The dangerous trek exposes the deeper conspiracy and pushes Hammer toward a final confrontation.

Rosy Buttes ranch, desert
9

Return and Bundy's murder

Hammer and Brad return to Bundy's ranch only to find Bundy murdered, forcing them to flee from arriving police. The body count escalates and suggests a wider scheme. The duo must rely on each other to stay alive.

Bundy’s ranch
10

Revelation at the prospector's cabin

At a desolate prospector's cabin, Amy reveals Johnny Roman was her biological father, though Carl raised her. The revelation reframes family ties and motives behind the earlier murders. The trio's investigation gains a new emotional edge.

Prospector's cabin
11

Helen’s diary and Carl’s clinic

Hammer learns that Helen lied about Amy's paternity and seeks her out at Carl's clinic. Helen explains past affairs with Johnny and the need to recover Johnny's diary, hinting at a plan to protect the children's clinic from a scandal. The diary becomes a central clue.

Carl's clinic
12

Ambush on the yacht

Hammer collects the diary but is ambushed by riflemen; he shoots them and escapes. Helen hides on her yacht and asks Hammer to guard her, realizing the plan is unraveling. The yacht becomes a battleground of suspicion.

Helen's yacht
13

Booby-trap door and yacht explosion

Carl and Brad arrive seeking a bank account book misidentified with Johnny's diary; Carl goes to find Helen and is killed by a booby-trapped door that explodes the yacht. Hammer survives by jumping overboard and reaches the dock. The false clues crumble as the larger plot comes into focus.

Yacht / dock
14

The true scheme is exposed

Hammer discovers that the account book and diary were false clues and that Johnny and Carl were stealing telethon money. Helen had masterminded the murders in revenge for her mistreatment. The criminal's tangled web is finally being exposed.

15

Final confrontation and aftermath

Hammer confronts Helen; she attempts suicide but the bullets were removed, so she is arrested. Amy learns the truth about her parents, and Hammer donates the ransom money to the defrauded charity clinic. The case closes with a hollow victory and a renewed resolve for Amy.

Charity clinic

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:18

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of Mike Hammer: Murder Takes All

Don't stop at just watching — explore Mike Hammer: Murder Takes All in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Mike Hammer: Murder Takes All is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Mike Hammer: Murder Takes All Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Mike Hammer: Murder Takes All, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Mike Hammer: Murder Takes All Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Mike Hammer: Murder Takes All

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Mike Hammer: Murder Takes All. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Mike Hammer: Murder Takes All

More About Mike Hammer: Murder Takes All

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Mike Hammer: Murder Takes All: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Mike Hammer: Murder Takes All

Similar Movies to Mike Hammer: Murder Takes All

Discover movies like Mike Hammer: Murder Takes All that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.