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Skyscraper is a direct-to-video action film directed by Raymond Martino (under the pseudonym ‘Rifkin’). It was released in 1996, at the height of the erotic thriller and DTV action boom. The film stars:
The plot follows Carrie Wisk, who must rescue hostages (including her sister) from a Los Angeles skyscraper taken over by terrorists. The terrorists have stolen a deadly virus and wired the building with explosives. What ensues is 95 minutes of low-budget mayhem, explosions, and — most infamously — unsimulated nudity and sexual acts.
For collectors, here is what the elusive version contains:
| Version | Runtime | Notable Features | |--------|---------|------------------| | Theatrical R-Rated | 91 min | No nudity, censored violence | | Unrated DVD (1999) | 95 min | Shower scene extended + blood | | Workprint “H Work” | 98 min | Alternate ending, raw audio, timecode visible on top |
The “H Work” copy includes a pre-credits sequence where Wisk escapes a burning warehouse—a scene missing entirely from the final film.
The story follows Carrie Wisk (played by Anna Nicole Smith), a former Marine Corps sergeant and helicopter pilot who now runs a charter service. While delivering a helicopter to a wealthy client, she makes an unscheduled stop at a high-tech Los Angeles skyscraper.
Terrorists, led by the ruthless Quarles (Branko Tomovic), seize the building in an attempt to steal a sophisticated computer chip. They take the building's residents hostage, including Carrie's husband, Gordon (Richard Steinmetz). Carrie manages to evade capture and uses her military training to wage a one-woman war against the terrorists inside the tower, working to rescue the hostages and stop the criminals.
Introduction: The Die Hard Formula To understand Skyscraper (1996), one must first understand the cinematic landscape of the mid-90s. Following the massive success of Die Hard (1988), Hollywood entered a decade-long phase of "Die Hard on a [Blank]" movies. We had Speed (Die Hard on a bus), Under Siege (Die Hard on a boat), and Cliffhanger (Die Hard on a mountain).
Skyscraper was the quintessential B-movie entry into this sub-genre: Die Hard in a Skyscraper, starring a celebrity who was famous for being famous—Anna Nicole Smith.
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If you're looking for a post to share or describe the 1996 cult classic Skyscraper skyscraper 1996 wwwddrmoviesactor unrated h work
, starring Anna Nicole Smith, here is a concise breakdown of its plot, cast, and the "unrated" elements. Movie Summary: Skyscraper (1996)
Often described as a low-budget, "Die Hard" clone, the film follows Carrie Wink (Anna Nicole Smith), a helicopter pilot in Los Angeles who accidentally transports a group of ruthless terrorists to a high-rise building. Led by a Shakespeare-quoting villain named Fairfax, the group seizes the 86-story Zitex building
to steal a high-tech electronic device. Trapped inside, Carrie must use her wits and unexpected combat skills to save hostages while her detective husband fights his way up from the street. Cast & Crew
The 1996 film Skyscraper is a low-budget action-thriller notable primarily for being a starring vehicle for late Playboy model Anna Nicole Smith
. Directed by Raymond Martino, the movie is often described by critics as a "Die Hard" rip-off, though it trades the high-octane polish of its inspiration for a campy, direct-to-video aesthetic. Plot Overview
The story follows Carrie Wink (Smith), a helicopter pilot in Los Angeles who unknowingly transports a group of terrorists to an 86-story building. Led by a ruthless mastermind named Fairfax—who frequently quotes Shakespeare to signify his intelligence—the terrorists seek four electronic devices capable of shifting global power. When the fourth device ends up in Carrie's possession, she must navigate the building to survive and thwart the villains, while her detective husband, Gordon (played by Richard Steinmetz), attempts to rescue her from the ground. Production and "Unrated" Content
Produced by PM Entertainment, known for high-volume action and stunt-heavy productions, Skyscraper leans heavily into its "Unrated" status.
Action and Stunts: The film features various stunts by Cole S. McKay, including a sequence where Smith’s character dangles from a cable and kicks through a window, mirroring iconic scenes from Die Hard.
Explicit Scenes: As a vehicle for Smith, the movie includes several gratuitous nude scenes, including a shower sequence and a romantic flashback with her husband, which are frequently cited by reviewers as attempts to bolster the film's appeal.
Struggles on Set: Reports suggest the production was troubled; screenwriter William Applegate Jr. noted that Smith was often incoherent due to substance use during filming, requiring extensive reshoots and pick-ups to make the final product coherent. Critical Reception Skyscraper is a direct-to-video action film directed by
Critics generally view Skyscraper as a "so-bad-it's-good" cult classic. While Smith’s acting was widely panned for its lack of depth and Believable delivery, reviewers sometimes found her "downers-inspired performance" and thick Texas accent to be part of the film's unintentional charm. The villains are often highlighted as the most entertaining part of the film due to their "over-the-top" performances and "eccentric" behavior.
In 1996, the direct-to-video market witnessed one of its most infamous "Die Hard on a _____" entries: Skyscraper , starring the late pop-culture icon Anna Nicole Smith . Released through PM Entertainment
, the film has since ascended to "so-bad-it's-good" legend status, often cited as a prime example of 90s B-movie excess The Plot (A Very Familiar One) The film follows Carrie Wink
(Smith), a helicopter pilot in Los Angeles who unknowingly transports a ruthless terrorist named Charles M. Huber
) to the 86-story Zitex building. Fairfax is after four electronic devices that can supposedly "shift the balance of power in the world"
. When the building is taken hostage, it’s up to Carrie and her LAPD detective husband, Gordon Wink Richard Steinmetz ), to save the day. Why It’s Noteworthy Action Star Reinvention : The movie attempted to cast Smith as a John McClane-style action hero
, complete with high-stakes shootouts and death-defying stunts. "Unrated" Sensibilities : Staying true to its unrated marketing, the film features multiple shower and sex scenes
that often occur as bizarre, slow-motion flashbacks right in the middle of the terrorist siege. The Dialogue : The script is famous among bad movie enthusiasts
for its hilariously whiny delivery and bizarre exchanges, including the villain randomly quoting Shakespeare to appear sophisticated. Censorship History
: The film’s "unrated" nature led to heavy cuts in various international markets; for example, the German release was famously shortened by 9 minutes to remove extreme violence. Cast and Crew Highlights Raymond Martino Anna Nicole Smith as Carrie Wink Richard Steinmetz as Gordon Wink Charles M. Huber as Fairfax Jonathan Fuller as Jacques While critics at Metacritic Rotten Tomatoes have never been kind, Skyscraper The plot follows Carrie Wisk, who must rescue
remains a fascinating time capsule of 1990s video-store culture and Anna Nicole Smith's brief, earnest attempt at becoming an action queen. from the same era or more details on Anna Nicole Smith’s filmography
The 1996 film Skyscraper is a cult-classic action movie starring Anna Nicole Smith
. It is frequently described as a "Die Hard" knockoff, where Smith takes on the Bruce Willis-style role. 🎬 Movie Overview: Skyscraper (1996) Starring: Anna Nicole Smith as Carrie Wink Director: Raymond Martino
Plot: A helicopter pilot (Smith) gets trapped in an 86-story Los Angeles skyscraper during a terrorist siege. She must save hostages and protect a high-tech "balance of power" device while her LAPD husband tries to help from the ground.
Production: Produced by PM Entertainment, a studio known for low-budget, direct-to-video action hits in the '90s. 🔞 Version Details: Unrated & H-Work
The "Unrated" version is significantly different from edited television or international releases: Skyscraper (Video 1996) - Alternate versions
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