Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- tense
- witty
- adversarial
- 1980s action night
- crime movie marathon
What critics said
Critics generally found the film a conventional and underpowered action mystery whose early energy gives way to slower character conflict.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Jay Austin and Alan Caldwell must cooperate across civilian police and military authority while investigating connected murders.
Austin left military police after a dispute with former commanding officer Caldwell, making their forced collaboration adversarial.
Austin's relationship with Donna Caldwell directly complicates his already hostile dynamic with her father.
The critical overview highlights an immediately explosive opening gambit followed by a slower focus on investigation and character dynamics.
Films like The Presidio, and why
The Last Boy Scout
military-police investigation, strained partnership, and action-crime thriller structure
Lethal Weapon
wisecracking detective work, institutional conflict, and buddy cop dynamics
Basic Instinct
neo-noir murder investigation, procedural tension, and San Francisco atmosphere
Movie Details
- Director
- Peter Hyams
- Release Date
- 1988-06-10
- Runtime
- 97 min
- Rating
- 5.8 / 10 (385)
Cast
- Sean Connery
- Mark Harmon
- Meg Ryan
- Jack Warden
- Mark Blum
- Dana Gladstone
- Jenette Goldstein
- Marvin J. McIntyre
- Don Calfa
- John DiSanti
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Presidio about?
- A civilian detective and his former military commander must overcome old hostility and family tension to solve murders spanning San Francisco jurisdictions.
- What is The Presidio like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Presidio as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Presidio violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in The Presidio as moderate.
- What did critics think of The Presidio?
- Critics generally found the film a conventional and underpowered action mystery whose early energy gives way to slower character conflict.
- Which films are like The Presidio?
- Films with a similar feel include The Last Boy Scout, Lethal Weapon, and Basic Instinct.
- How long is The Presidio?
- The Presidio runs 97 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Presidio?
- In United States, The Presidio streams on fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus.
