The Pursuit of D.B. Cooper

Take place in 1971, the year of the real hijacking this story centers on. The film depicts a pre-digital era of investigation with a tense cross-country manhunt across Northwest forests and Southwestern plains. The date anchors the stakes and the authenticity of the chase.

The pursuit spans Washington's forests where Meade parachuted and first evades capture, and later leads to the desert outskirts near Tucson, Arizona. Hannah's river rafting operation provides a key backdrop for escape and movement. A hot-air balloon sequence and the aircraft boneyard in Arizona become pivotal settings in the aftermath of the hijacking.

🕵️ Chase & Deception

A relentless pursuit drives the plot as Gruen, Remson, and the authorities close in on Meade. The hijacker uses misdirection and terrain to stay ahead, underscoring the cat-and-mouse dynamic at the film’s core.

💰 Dreams vs. Consequences

Meade’s grand ambitions clash with the cost of his actions. The narrative probes what one risks for money and whether pursuit itself defines the dream.

🧭 Loyalty & Betrayal

Relationships between Meade, Hannah, Gruen, and Remson reveal shifting loyalties. Trust becomes a currency as plans unfold and lines blur between pursuer and pursued.