Things to Know Before Watching Amazon's Jack Ryan

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Lifehacker talks about the books on which the series is based and previous film adaptations of this story.

Coming to streaming Amazon Prime on August 31st, the new series is plotted from works by American author Tom Clancy. The writer worked on this cycle of books in the genre of political technotriller almost all his life. He wrote a total of 16 works about analytics, which can unravel any of the most difficult and dangerous cases.

The main character

Jack Ryan is a former Marine who has retired from service due to a back injury. At first, he makes a lot of money in banking and is a professor at the Naval Academy. Financial fraud attracts the attention of the CIA, and he is hired as an analyst. Ryan's intelligence and knowledge allows him to investigate the most difficult cases related to international terrorism and political conflicts.

Many believe that the author has invested a lot in the image of Ryan from himself. Clancy himself also retired from military service, but due to vision problems. In addition, some conspiracy theorists regularly suspected Clancy of being involved with the CIA.

Unlike other characters in books about the secret services, Ryan prefers to work not with his fists, but with his head. Clancy's writings are more about intrigue and political confrontation than typical chases and gunfights.

Jack Ryan's career goes uphill from book to book. Starting as an analyst, he quickly becomes the CIA's deputy director for intelligence, then vice president, and then the president of the United States altogether. In later works, part of the plot is already dedicated to his son Jack Ryan Jr. He works for the special service "Campus", formed by his father, and also fights terrorism. And Ryan Sr. at this time solves global political problems.

Why Clancy's works are loved at home

Among readers in the United States, Clancy's books are popular because of their vivid propaganda of patriotism. In them, it is America that is the basis of world order and stability. The first novels were written during the Cold War, and many plots are devoted specifically to the confrontation between the USSR and the United States. Jack Ryan first appears in The Hunt for Red October, where he rescues an escaped Soviet submarine captain.

In further works, Ryan has to fight Irish terrorists, prevent a coup d'etat in Russia and look for which the Israeli Air Force has lost. And as President, he is already confronting the "Chinese threat", which forces him to get closer to the Russian leadership. True, the latest books are again devoted to conflicts with Russia and the security forces who came to power, headed by President Volodin.

Unlike many authors, Tom Clancy tries to avoid the typical "cranberry" - that is, describing ridiculous stereotypes about Russia and other countries. But nevertheless, sometimes the Orders of Lenin, which are awarded in the XXI century and mentions of the GULAG in modern Russia, slip through him.

Why Clancy is loved in other countries

If in the USA his works were loved for the patriotism and exaggerated exclusivity of the American people, in other countries he is read because of the very good technical study of the books.

Entire chapters can be devoted to the operation of a particular device. In the same "Hunt for" Red October "is described in great detail about the structure of the submarine. Moreover, this is done in a very simple language - so that any reader can understand the basic principles.

The book "All the fears of the world" explains the processes that take place in the atomic bomb, and also provides documentation for its creation. The novel "The Bear and the Dragon" introduces the principles of missile defense. Therefore, anyone who wants to understand how military equipment works will become a little more educated after reading these books.

In addition, the author tries to prescribe all the little things about politics and intrigue, which makes his books very realistic. He takes many events from real life, changing the details and names of the characters, but leaving recognizable features. And it happens that his fantasies are subsequently embodied in life.

Because of this, they even look for predictions in the works of Clancy. So, in the novel "Duty of Honor" in 1994, a terrorist crashes into the Capitol on an airplane and destroys the entire ruling elite of the United States. Many considered this plot a harbinger of the events of September 11, although, most likely, the author took as a basis the history of Japanese kamikaze pilots. Similarly, the events described by Clancy in 2013 concerning the conflict between Russia and Ukraine are associated with reality. Of course, only the general outline coincides, but this turned out to be enough for readers to start talking again about the author's connection with the special services.

What to see about Jack Ryan

Over the years of publication, various directors have repeatedly tried to bring the stories of Jack Ryan to the big screens. Moreover, the most famous actors were always taken on the main roles.

The hunt for "Red October"

• USA, 1990.
• Thriller.
• Duration: 129 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 6.
• Alec Baldwin as Jack Ryan

During the Cold War, the Soviet Union launched the Red October submarine, equipped with the latest Caterpillar system, which is capable of deceiving US troops' sonars. However, Captain Marco Ramius wants to get to the United States and hand over the boat to the Americans. As a result, "Red October" finds itself between two fires: the Americans fear an attack, and the Russians want to destroy the fugitives. Only CIA analyst Jack Ryan can help the captain and prevent international conflict.

Patriot Games

• USA, 1992.
• Thriller.
• Duration: 116 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 9.
• Harrison Ford as Jack Ryan.

US Naval Academy professor Jack Ryan, formerly of the CIA, is speaking in London. Later, he becomes a casual witness to a terrorist attack by the Irish separatists against the royal family. Ryan prevents the tragedy, but from that moment the terrorists threaten the protagonist himself and his family.

Direct and obvious threat

• USA, 1994.
• Action movie.
• Duration: 141 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 9.
• Harrison Ford as Jack Ryan.

CIA intelligence chief Jack Ryan confronts Colombians. At the same time, his National Security Assistant and the head of the CIA, with the help of mercenaries, are organizing military operations in Colombia.

The price of fear

• USA, 2002.
• Action, drama, thriller.
• Duration: 126 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 4.
• Ben Affleck as Jack Ryan

After the death of the President of Russia, the post of head of state is occupied by a man about whom very little is known in the West. At the same time, it is revealed that terrorists have stolen an atomic bomb lost by the Israeli Air Force and are planning to detonate it in the United States. The Americans suspect Russia of an attempted attack, and the world is already on the brink of a global war. However, CIA analyst and Russia specialist Jack Ryan can save the day.

Jack Ryan: Chaos Theory

• USA, 2014.
• Thriller, political, action, spy.
• Duration: 105 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 2.
• Chris Pine as Jack Ryan

CIA analyst Jack Ryan is assassinated when he comes to Moscow on a routine working visit. He has to remember military skills and defend himself. It turns out that behind this attempt is an international conspiracy, which only he can unravel.

Series from Amazon Prime

The Amazon studio has recently decided to focus on large-budget and long-term projects. She buys the rights to film the most popular book series, among which there are even. Of course, Amazon could not ignore the legendary Tom Clancy franchise.

The series takes the viewer back to the days when Jack Ryan was a simple analyst, mostly busy with paperwork. He discovers suspicious bank transfers that put him on the trail of terrorists from the Middle East.

The main role in the series was taken by the star of the American TV series "Office" and the movie "A Quiet Place" John Krasinski. His character turned out to be simpler and more fun than all previous on-screen incarnations of Ryan. At the same time, Amazon has no doubts about the success of its project, and the series has already been extended in advance for a second season.