The Park Is Mine (1985 TV Movie) User Reviews

Don't mess with a clever Vietnam vet.

[michaelRokeefe · 6/10 · 6 August 2000]

You might say this is a passionate action movie. Probably did not cost much to make, but is somewhat interesting. Tommy Lee Jones plays a veteran from the Vietnamese conflict and he wants to raise awareness to how veterans, the elderly and underprivileged are overlooked. He decides to take Central Park hostage. Then he is forced to defend his position with gunfire. Who said all is fair in love and war?

Also in the cast are Helen Shaver and Yaphet Kotto. Not too far fetched; and this movie does grab your attention.

If Tommy Lee says the park is his Well, then the park is his!

[Coventry · 6/10 · 17 May 2010]

"The Park is Mine" is a modest yet fervent and well-intended mid-80's TV drama with a noble underlying message and a fabulous lead performance by Tommy Lee Jones. Basically speaking the film belongs in the thriller sub category of 'trouble with Vietnam veterans', but this one is of a different caliber. There where most exploitation movies deal with disillusioned veterans going bonkers and heading out on a violent murder rampage, "The Park is Mine" tries to implement a more emotional and humane approach. Sure the whole premise is completely implausible and even somewhat preposterous, but if you switch off your sense of logic for a good hour and a half, you definitely won't be bored! This is the second time Tommy Lee Jones depicts an embittered Vietnam veteran, after his role in the dark and gritty "Rolling Thunder". Mitch is an aimlessly roaming vet in New York. He can't keep a job, his wife divorced him and he doesn't get any respect from anybody is this damned city where everyone simply minds his own business. When his terminally ill war buddy commits suicide, Mitch finds out he was planning an attention- grabbing initiative in Central Park. Mitch executes the plans and takes control over the park. His peaceful but nevertheless explosive attempt to make people more aware of life receives a lot of interest from the media and support from the populace, but it's quite an embarrassment for the authorities – and particularly for the deputy mayor – so they try to eliminate Mitch in any possible way they can. There are some nice photographic shots and explosions, but this is primarily Tommy Lee Jones' movie! He's excellent, charismatic and quite overpowering with his painted face and mirror sunglasses. His great acting compensates even for the stupidest plot twists (Vietcong mercenary in Central Park? !?) and the clichéd ending. Jones also receives pretty good support from Yaphet Kotto as the likable copper and Peter Dvorsky as the sleazy deputy mayor.

Central Park is now private property for 72 hours.

[lost-in-limbo · 6/10 · 17 November 2008]

Think of Rambo, but more tone down in the violence and having a political angle focusing on how certain situations / individuals are undeservedly swept under the rug. 'The Park is Mine' is a passable, up-tempo little made-for-TV feature. Even with it's firework shows, expensive set-up and unique setting with , it's still merely low scale where at the heart it's all about the one man standing up for the underprivileged. At times it can manipulate, but manages to be respectable and hardly overwrought. It can be a fascinating tussle between Tommy Lee Jones' character and political big-heads, as what eventuates is a circus-show for the crowds and media. Some actions are a bit unbelievable; however you seem to take it with a grain of slat.

A Vietnam veteran takes over the plans of his now deceased war-time buddy (who committed suicide) who had thought-up an idea to take over Central Park for 72 hours, before Veterans Day. He eventually goes ahead and sets the plan in motion, where he doesn't intend to hurt anyone, but to only grab everyone's attention. However some powerful figures don't like this and try to change the situation (by any dirty means) in their favour, so society don't side with the vet and paint them in the wrong. Also a media reporter also finds herself caught up in it all when she tries to get closer to the action.

His definitely gotta plan. Packed with ammo, a lot of ammo. The material is formulaic, but tactically trimmed to suit Steven Hilliard Stern's tidy direction and sustained tension. I found it to get better the further along it goes, as the tricks and themes turn to the real thing. 'The Tangerine Dream' contributes a bellowing score that overwhelms the joint, but I don't believe to be as bad as a lot seem to make sound. Performances shape up pretty well. Tommy Lee Jones superbly instills a hard, tough shell to his character, but one we can feel and root for too. He's no troublesome, or unstable person, but someone that just wants to make a difference. A wonderfully affable Helen Shaver adds plenty of kick to her role and Yaphet Kotto provides some serious class. Lawrence Dane is picture-perfect as the scummy Commissioner.

Maybe not as good as I remember, but..

[Geoff-21 · 7 September 1999]

I saw this on HBO in the mid '80s and I loved it. Tommy Lee Jones was so cool and I had no problem buying the premise. It was kind of like Assault on Precinct 13 or The Warriors in its cartoonish depiction of violence. I remember especially the part where he's in full military garb and grease paint on his face with an arsenal of weapons around his body and he tells a woman to leave the park because its filled with "thugs and perverts and weirdos." Check it out if you can, it won't change your life, but it's good.

It's Mine! Mine! Mine! Do you hear me All Mine!

[sol-kay · 6/10 · 21 March 2007]

**SPOILERS** Like most Vietnam Vets Mike, Eric Peterson, was lost in the shuffle when he came back from the war with severe mental and emotional problems. Mike was totally ignored by both the Veterens Administration and his family members feeling that he was just too unstable and ill-tempered to have anything to do with. Seeing no way out of the hell he found himself in and no one to turn to Mike did the only thing that he felt that could do to take him out of his miseries; jump to his death from the top of the fleabag hotel he was staying in.

Sending a letter to his fellow Vietnam Vet and good friend the also very troubled Mitch, Tommy Lee Jones, Mike wanted him to finish the job that he started out to do. Take over New Yorks Central Park for 72 hours, over the Veterans Day Weekend, and hold it all all cost. This bizarre action would throw light on not only the forgotten and ignored veterans in the city and country but all the other unfortunates who slipped through the cracks and were left out in the cold by an ungrateful and unfeeling nation.

Mitch took up with where Mike left off arming himself to the teeth with and arsenal of weapons, that Mike hid all throughout the park, and ammunition that would equipped a fully armed and supplied infantry battalion. By the time the 72 hours were up Central Park New York City or for that matter the entire country would never be the same again and neither would Mitch. A bit overdone, one man holding off the entire NYPD of over 30,000 men & women, but still powerful film that has to do with a person who was driven to do the impossible, as well as insane, and in the end succeed against overwhelming odds. Where at the same time not really knowing, or even caring, if he lived or died throughout the ordeal that he not only put himself but the entire city of New York through.

Tommy Lee Jones is perfect, and in fighting trim, as Mitch the man with the plan who takes on all comers in his determined attempt to hold off the entire New York Police Department, as well as a number of hired anti-guerrilla foreign mercenaries, to call attention to the sad and sorry plight of his fellow Vietmnam Vets like his late friend Mike. Not wanting to hurt anyone Mitch used for the most part magazines of blanks and non-lethal explosives to hold off the NYPD and unites of the New York State National Guard. It's when the man in charge of capturing him the politically conscious Deputy Mayor Dix, Peter Dvorsky, orders the police to shoot to kill and even brought into the park armed and kill crazy mercenaries Mitch had no choice but but was himself forced to shoot to kill and ask questions later.

There's also photo journalist Valery Weaver, Helen Shavers, who ends up getting trapped inside the park, trying to get the big story, and becoming Mitchs hostage and later biggest supporter. Valary ends up filming Mitch's every action and statements to show the outside world just what he's really all about. Valerys involvement with the troubled Vietnam Vet almost has her killed by he two mercenaries who were sent into the besieged park by Deputy Dix to kill him. We also have Mitch's old lady Rachel, Gale Garnett, who refused to have anything to do with her husband and didn't even let Mitch see their infant son. Rachel feels now, after what Mitch pulled off, if she only paid some attention to him all this would have never happened. And last but certainly not least there's NYPD Captain Eubanks, Yaphet Kotto, who despite his boss' double-dealings and double-crossing of the fugitive Mitch refused to go alone with them. Risking suspension or even termination of his job. Capt. Eubanks in the end is the person who got Mitch, after the 72 hours were up, to turn himself in with a minimum of violence and destruction.

The end of the movie has Central Park light up like a Christmas Tree with Mitch setting off all the explosives that he had still left to let those who tried to stop him, as well as most of the people in the city who were pulling for him, see that he got his message through even though it may well have cost him his freedom. Mitch showed in what he did that for the 72 hours had New York's Central Park totally and completely under his control and no one, not even the entire NYC police force, could take it from him.

Passable Entertainment

[Bayjohn · 6/10 · 20 February 1999]

Tommy Lee Jones does his part to hold this movie together, and that's about the only thing going for it. The plot about one man taking over Central Park (!) is highly improbable, but makes for a good Saturday afternoon action flick. Don't put a lot of thought into this movie, just enjoy it for what it is!

Someone Needs to make those "The Park Is Mine" tshirts from the movie.

[grantparkcinema · 6/10 · 14 January 2023]

Following the success of First Blood and other attempts to cash in on the struggle of vets in overcoming their still recent emasculation, The Park is Mine strips away any unnecessary subtext and nuance, leaving a gratifying action flick that shoves its foot up the collective ass of the cops, the politicians, and even the Viet Cong, as Tommy Lee Jones uses domestic terrorism and an astronomical sense of entitlement to control Central Park as a publicity stunt to tell the world that we should be kinder to each other, not because he so desperately needs to prove to them that we could have won the war, guys, if only we'd...

Good for a few laughs -- mostly unintentional ones

[stinkair · 4/10 · 8 January 2006]

My husband and I happened upon this film last night. We were exhausted and would settle for "anything colour that moved." We had no idea what it was until we IMDb'd it. We are generally favourably disposed to Tommy Lee Jones so we gave it a go.

I am the Queen of Suspension of Disbelief but even in my tired state I just couldn't buy into this film. The actors looked like they were... um, acting. I could almost make out the director and his megaphone just off camera.

The best scene is where the two journalists arrive at Central Park and Valery is about to hop the wall and go in. She asks her colleague to help her over - but the wall is only about three feet high! My six-year-old son wouldn't need help getting over.

We were surprised not to find the following in the Memorable Quotes collection: "You get the commissioner on the line and I'll try to raise Dix."

Horrible Plot Premise...

[Brakathor · 3/10 · 13 January 2009]

The whole premise of this movie is really pretty stupid. Not so much the simple idea of holding a park illegally for a time as some sort of social statement, which to me seems only stupid, insane and pointless from the characters point of view, but especially the idea that the place was able to be so perfectly trapped without the guy getting caught over the length of a year. Firstly most of the traps are right out in the open, and there's no way these would have gone undetected in this time: roadside bombs, bombs in car trunks, dug out pits for people to fall into, bombs all over the forrested areas. To put that in perspective, he would have to be carrying hundreds of detonators with him; prety laughbale and hard to keep track of. Secondly, half of them are just so conveniently at the right place at the right time as is Mitch in order to defend himself.

If not the worst aspect though, then at least no less damning to the film, is the reaction of the police. They don't even TRY to reason with him. He doesn't even have any hostages, has made no threats, and has asked for no ransom, and the police forces recklessly break into the park and launch assault after assault on him, risking many lives, clearly for cheap entertainment value, because honestly if this film was even slightly realistic, it would be pretty damn boring from THIS director, who I doubt could really capture much emotional depth which this movie for the mostpart fails to do aside from a few little contrived moments.

I decided to check this movie out just to see what they came up with, but in the end it really was not worth it. Don't bother with this film unless you're a Tommy Lee Jones fan who in fact does act the part fairly well. Instead, watch a REAL hostage type film like "Dog Day Afternoon", you'll likely be much less disappointed.

Fantastic fantasy action

[WillCAD · 8/10 · 21 November 2006]

The idea is absurd - a Vietnam veteran who feels that Vietnam vets have been poorly treated by the country they served decides to single-handedly take control of New Yorks Central Park by force of arms as a social protest.

But the vet is dyeing of cancer (courtesy of agent orange exposure during the war) and commits suicide before he can complete his plan. So instead, he leaves a long letter to his war buddy Mitch (Tommy Lee Jones), asking him to complete the plan in his place.

At first, Mitch thinks the plan is as crazy as... well, as it is. But after a series of disappointing encounters with his ex-wife, his landlord, and some snotty NYPD cops, he gets angry enough to complete the plan and take over Central Park, keeping everyone out with explosive booby traps and gunfire (blanks at first) for 48 hours until Veteran's Day.

The city administration is understandably upset by this action, and after a police assault to capture Mitch fails, they hire a pair of mercenaries to simply kill him.

Complicating matters is an overly ambitious TV reporter (Helen Shaver) who sneaks into the park on her own to try for an interview, and a Swat team leader (Yaphet Koto) who sympathizes with Mitch but wants him out of the park as much as the administration.

This movie has it all - action, suspense, drama, a few unsuspected twists, and an ending that leaves you feeling both happy and sad at the same time.

Originally made for HBO in 1985, this excellent action flick has unfortunately never been released on DVD. But with so much TV being released on DVD these days, I have hope that one day soon I will be able to add The Park Is Mine to my DVD collection.

Awful, just plain awful.

[WilliamFAlexander · 1/10 · 9 August 2017]

I found this movie extremely hard to watch since it lacked any semblance of a plot and it focused on the action. The music by Tangerine Dream is just over the top and further detracts from the movie experience. After 30 minutes, I fast forwarded to parts that looked promising, but was just disappointed by the continuation of the sad, sad, sad film making attempt. I finally fast forwarded to the end only to confirm that the film made absolutely no sense and is an example of movies that should never have been made in the first place.

Implausible, but fairly compelling

[Wizard-8 · 24 August 2011]

The premise of this movie - a lone ex-soldier unraveling a plan to take over New York's Central Park singlehanded and managing to keep the police at bay over several days - does seem kind of hard to swallow. However, with the way the movie is executed, you'll almost believe it could happen. The movie does have a good amount of merit to it. While it's a mid-'80s Canadian movie, the production values are surprisingly good; this movie obviously had a budget. Tommy Lee Jones gives a fairly commanding performance at the Vietnam vet with a plan, and there are other good performances by Helen Shaver as the curious news reporter, and Yaphet Kotto as a chief police officer (though he's given little to do until near the ending.) Director Steven Hilliard Stern creates some good action sequences and keeps things moving at a rapid rate. Though maybe the movie is a little bit too swift; we hardly learn anything about Jones' character at the beginning, and before the twenty minute mark he's already taken over the park. Some people may be offended that Jones' Vietnam vet character is yet another cinematic Vietnam vet who is a "loser" (unemployed, estranged from his wife, etc.), despite surveys that show that most Vietnam vets in real life are adjusted and happy. But if you can look over this "loser" portrayal, chances are you'll find some enjoyment with this movie.

Not all fights require guns

[view_and_review · 4/10 · 22 January 2020]

"The Park is Mine" is a poor man's "Rambo" less the sympathetic character. Like Rambo, Mitch (Tommy Lee Jones) is a Vietnam vet who's adept at killing. Unlike Rambo, Mitch is tilting towards psychopathy and is far less commiserative as a character.

On the flimsiest of pretenses Mitch takes over Central Park. He went from attending a funeral, to reading the dead man's Central Park takeover plan, to acting out said plan. Most people, if they were to read a paper detailing how to takeover public property using bullets and bombs would probably throw it away considering the author is now dead. If they were to also find said ordnance, that's when they'd involve the police. Mitch involved the police; just not in the manner most people would.

Mitch, as we would find out throughout the movie, was equally fed up as his now deceased comrade. He didn't want to hurt anybody, but he wanted to get the world's attention. He certainly did that, but this was a clear case of the ends don't justify the means.

Mitch's message was simple enough: take care of one another. With such a simple and universal message he was able to garner wide support in spite of the methods he used. Sure, he took over the park using land mines and machine guns, but the explosions were just for show and the bullets were blanks. Not that anyone else knew that.

The city brass had a vested interest in stopping Mitch as well as driving him out of the park. The city saw his actions--rightly so--as setting a dangerous precedent. If they allowed him to continue unabated then who would be next and what landmark would be next? Does the next person take over the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Wall Street? And even though Mitch had no intention of harming anyone, the next extremist may not be so scrupulous. And what of the message of the next radical? Will it be as universally accepted?

The reasons for putting a lid on Mitch's crusade are numerous, yet he is the hero--or antihero--in this film. He says that he only wants the park until 9:00 p.m. on Veteran's Day at which time he will give himself up. You know who also said he'd give himself up if his demands were met? David Koresh. He said that if his manifesto was printed for the public, he'd turn himself in. Well, it was printed and we all saw that Waco, Texas compound burned to the ground after he reneged.

Mitch was no David Koresh and he was also no Rambo. Rambo was acting upon his American right to freely move about when he was backed into a corner by a smarmy sheriff. It was then he made the woods of Washington state a killing field. Mitch was just a burnt-out vet who was tired of how he was being treated and how people treated each other. That's very conscientious of you Mitch and it's something worth fighting for, but not all fights require guns.

Some reasonable ideas but not executed particularly memorably

[Red-Barracuda · 5/10 · 8 March 2018]

In New York, a Vietnam vet takes over Central Park after one of his fellow veterans commits suicide. The dead man left him a note detailing caches of weaponry he has hidden throughout the park, which he explains he intended to use to hijack the area in an attempt to make the city denizens aware of the plight of the veterans and downtrodden generally.

This made for cable movie stars Tommy Lee Jones. It's sort of like a collision between Taxi Driver (1976) and First Blood (1982), with a side helping of The Prince of Central Park (1977) thrown in for good measure. It sort of begins quite well with a set-up which suggests that things could get quite interesting but unfortunately in the second half it essentially turns into a tedious action movie with exploding helicopters. The basic premise behind Jones's plan also made little sense to me, yet his fellow New York citizens were clearly right behind the concept of an armed madman taking over their beloved park with automatic guns and hidden bombs as a means of socking it to The Man. The villains were one dimensional corporate types and Yaphet Kotto similarly played a predictably clichéd sympathetic policeman. It's not a total write-off by any means, as there is some entertainment here but it is strictly mid-level thrills and spills at best. It also is notable I guess for having a soundtrack by electronic pioneers Tangerine Dream, although I can't say I honestly noticed the score being especially memorable either.

A Worthwhile Flick!

[tom-1140 · 8/10 · 10 October 2007]

I can't imagine Tommy Lee Jones in anything bad... His performance here is solid and believable although a bit hammy at times.... What I like about this movie is the story... With the current state of affairs in the USA at the present time...(2007) It seems very relevant...

Everyone seems to be asleep .. Too preoccupied with their cell phones and Ipods to notice what is going on around them. This movie really grabs you... Too bad this doesn't happen in real life! You still find yourself rooting for the guy who you know is doing wrong but his justification is beyond what is legal.. it's simply the right thing to do! Good supporting cast and Helen Shaver does a good job as the objective reporter. It is an old theme but still a very powerful one and all the key elements are there. Sometimes you have to put your selfish desires aside and find the strength to do what is right even though it may not be popular.

If you like a story with a solid message, decent acting and a few thrills for good measure, I recommend The Park Is Mine!

NOT implausable - based on Texas Univ. tower shooting 1966

[revbyront · 5/10 · 19 November 2018]

Not only is this event plausable it's based on the Texas Univ. shooting of a former Marine in 1966. August 1, 1966 - In Austin, Texas, Charles Joseph Whitman, a former US Marine, kills 16 and wounds at least 30 at the University of Texas while shooting from a tower. I'm fairly certain there was a movie made about it, too.

my favorite movie of all time

[w19blue56 · 10/10 · 14 February 2005]

this movie is one of the best i'V ever seen and to be honest i'V been trying to get it on DVD for years now its one of those movies that keeps you riveted to the screen as not to miss a second of the action, as this is my all time favorite movie,tommy lee Jones hits the mark in this one,as we all know he is a phenomenal actor but in my opinion this one puts him over the mark,are they ever going to release it on DVD?i'V seen a lot of movies since its release but not many come close to the excitement this one still creates in me props go out to the cast and staff on that work on and with this one. hats off to you folks thanks for a great flick, now please get it out on DVD

Slightly implausible...

[thehook · 26 March 2001]

Like many of the Reagan era action movies, it is rampantly xenophobic, incrediably incoherent, and in no way grounded in reality. Tommy Lee (not the hair band drummer)plays a Vet who takes over central park to generate sympathy for the forgotten soldiers of that war. A noble sentiment, but a man would have to be completely out of his gourd to attempt that...its not like the park has a series of fortified bunkers and a moat around it!!! The most insane plot twist (no one is in suspense about this piece anyway) is that the "authorities" hire two Asian assasins to take out the hero. What the $%^#$^! is that all about? It is just one of the many warped plot contrivances that earn this work a lofty six on the Tango and Cash scale of implausability. Forgive the spelling.

Taking over Central Park in the name of public awareness concerning the plight of Vietnam veterans

[Woodyanders · 8/10 · 27 December 2016]

Disaffected Vietnam veteran Mitch (the almighty Tommy Lee Jones in fine rugged form) decides to take over Central Park in New York City so he can raise public awareness about the shamefully neglected plight of fellow Vietnam veterans and other overlooked less fortunate folks.

Director Steven Hilliard Stern treats the delightfully ludicrous premise with utmost seriousness, keeps the gripping story moving along at a brisk pace, and generates plenty of tension. Lyle Gorch's compelling and provocative script offers lots of spot-on stinging social commentary on America's appalling apathy towards Vietnam war veterans and everyday people who feel like they have no control over their lives. Moreover, the sound acting by the able cast keeps this picture humming: Helen Shaver as pesky eager beaver TV reporter Valery, Yaphet Kotto as compassionate cop Eubanks, Lawrence Dane as slimy police commissioner Keller, Peter Dversky as equally smarmy deputy mayor Dix, and Gale Garnett as Mitch's fed-up estranged ex-wife Rachel. Sporting gnarly mirror shades and funky camouflage face paint, Jones cuts a cool and commanding figure as the deeply flawed, yet still sympathetic Mitch. Kudos are also in order for Laszlo George's slick cinematography and the marvelously moody score by Tangerine Dream. Granted, this movie isn't remotely plausible for a minute (for example, the corrupt city officials hire a couple of scumbag mercenaries to take out Mitch after the general public embrace Mitch as an everyman folk hero!), but it's this infectiously delirious sense of giddy absurdity combined with a certain lovably cockeyed sincerity that gives this flick its uniquely wacky 80's charm.

Modern day revenge movie

[AirborneRanger · 17 November 2006]

Tommy Lee Jones, in an updated version of Taxi Driver, plays a disillusioned, disenchanted Vietnam Vet who only truly feels at home while on patrol. He takes over Central Park in downtown New York City in a believable scenario; seeking control, and seeking recognition, he dominates the city by shutting down the Park.

Jones becomes the indigenous guerrilla, the one who controls the fight by setting the scene and drawing the inept Police into his traps. An excellent movie, ahead of its time, imagine a very human Rambo in downtown New York. The movie does not have a neat ending, like Taxi Driver or even Dog Day afternoon. Instead, it ends as you might like it too.

koool

[sturetired911 · 10/10 · 18 November 2019]

Great moovie too bad it wasnt shot in nyc why do a nyc movie and film it in canada..very weird...and yes there is a movie about the austin shooting its called the deadly tower it stars kurt russel as whitman...

why??

[summer-12 · 6 March 1999]

I kept thinking throughout this movie 'get a life.' The script is so dumb, it's laughable. Die hard Tommy fans will like this. He does a good job, and is convincing. Nb// Tommy says the F word alot. I enjoy all of Tommy's performances, but did he read the script of this one? On the bright side, it's not as bad as the script of "Eyes of laura mars.'

oops.

[sturetired911 · 10/10 · 18 November 2019]

During the scene where helen shavers and partner are in van in morning..in the background the hotel is flying a canadian flag.. and weird though isnt that central park when tommy lee jones is in the tower looking at the park...