MovieChat Forums > Mission: Impossible (1996) Discussion > Ethan's obsession with the NOC list I re...

Ethan's obsession with the NOC list I really don't understand in the movie


So the NOC list disc is the MacGuffin aka the big deal of the plot of the movie sort of but not really worth risking your life over a stupid computer disc.

So why was Ethan going through all that trouble for a stupid CIA NOC list which really wasnt that damn important since one half was useless without the other anyway?

Also Phelps should have known better be smart about it due to the blow up gum and the glasses at the end. He acted surprised and caught off guard. he should have known better

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The complete list was stolen from CIA HQ. The original disc was a decoy so the needing of the other half was false anyway. This was all explained in the aquarium restaurant scene.

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[deleted]

This whole premise is spelled out to us by Kittridge in the restaurant. Afterwards, Hunt puts two and two together, finds the arms-dealer Max to settle an agreement: the entire (real) list, sold to her, in return for the delivery of "Jobe" (the mole/traitor who assasinated the IMF team.) The NOC List is essential to Hunt flushing out the traitor in return for him being proven innocent.

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