FirefoxĀ is a 1982 American actionĀ techno-thrillerĀ film produced, directed by, and starringĀ Clint Eastwood. The cast also includesĀ Freddie Jones,Ā Kenneth Colley,Ā Warren Clarke, andĀ Nigel Hawthorne. Based on the 1977Ā novel of the same nameĀ byĀ Craig Thomas,Ā FirefoxĀ is the only film appearance of Thomas' characterĀ Mitchell Gant.[2]Ā The film recounts Gant's mission to secretly enter theĀ Soviet Union, hijack a cutting-edge fighter plane, and fly the aircraft back into American hands.
Although the story is largely set in the Soviet Union,Ā Cold WarĀ considerations meant that Eastwood's and Fritz Manes'Ā Malpaso CompanyĀ used several locations inĀ Austria, includingĀ Vienna, for many scenes. One source states that the film was shot on a $21 million budget, the largest-everĀ production budgetĀ for Malpaso.[3]Ā Another source indicates that over $20 million was spent on special effects.[4]Ā The effects have been called "particularly innovative,"[5]Ā as the "reverse bluescreen" technique was invented for the film.[6]