Harrison Ford, known for rarely criticizing his past roles, made an exception when it came to Hanover Street, a 1979 romantic drama directed by Peter Hyams. Unlike many forgettable or poor films in his career, Ford openly distanced himself from this particular movie, marking it as one he completely disowned. His experience during the film’s production and its aftermath left a strong negative impression on him, especially given his motivations to take the role.
Early Career Choices and The Drive Behind Hanover Street
After rising to prominence as Han Solo in Star Wars, Ford faced a period where his film choices were more limited and less celebrated. Among these early post-Star Wars projects was Force 10 from Navarone, which Ford bluntly described as a piece of total dogshit. At the same time, he was eager not to be confined to one type of role, hoping to expand his range beyond the iconic space hero. In particular, he wanted to prove he could perform romantic scenes, having never shared a kiss onscreen despite being frequently cast as a charming lead.
This desire motivated Ford’s decision to join Hanover Street, where he portrayed an American pilot in London who embarks on an affair with a married woman and later undertakes a dangerous mission in Nazi-occupied France. Ford admitted years later that his main reason for taking the part was to finally show romantic chemistry on film.
Harrison Ford’s Reflections on the Film Experience
Ford’s memories of Hanover Street remain bitter, as he openly revealed the poor relationship with director Peter Hyams and his personal dissatisfaction with the film. He confessed,
“I don’t even like to think about Hanover Street,”
reflecting the deep disappointment he felt. Ford added,
“The director and I did not get along. I’ve never seen the film. My motivation for doing Hanover Street was because I had never kissed a female human being on the screen before. The characters I played were totally sexless, and here was a movie that was being touted as a romance.”
Another factor that influenced his signing on was the higher salary after his Star Wars success. Ford explained,
“That was a clear, obvious reason for doing it. There are a lot of other reasons, which may or may not have been the right ones for doing it.”
Despite these reasons, Ford ended up regretting the entire project, stating emphatically,
“I hated making that film from start to finish. They wanted me to promote it, but they wouldn’t show it to me, and I’d never pay to see it. It was a terrible experience.”
Hanover Street’s Swift Decline and Ford’s Final Distance
The film quickly disappeared from theaters after its release, failing at the box office and leaving almost no lasting impression on audiences. This swift failure mirrored Ford’s attitude toward the project. Whenever Hanover Street is mentioned, he promptly distances himself, making it clear that he does not want any association with it. This rare instance of Ford disowning a film highlights his frustration and disappointment with both the process and product.
