The Ultimate Warrior (1975)

Director:

Robert Clouse

Writer:

Robert Clouse (writer)

Release Date:

2 October 1975 (Netherlands)

Genre:

Action | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Tagline:

A Film of the Future

Plot:

Atomic holocaust is not the only plague that threatens our future. New York City, 2012 A.D.: In a devastated world, one tired man finds a reason to fight.

Plot Keywords:

Plague | Gang | Turf | Future | Gangster

Cast

Yul Brynner	...	Carson
Max von Sydow	...	Baron
Joanna Miles	...	Melinda
William Smith	...	Carrot
Richard Kelton	...	Cal
Stephen McHattie	...	Robert
Darrell Zwerling	...	Silas
Lane Bradbury	...	Barrie
Nate Esformes	...	Garon
Mel Novak	...	Lippert
Mickey Caruso	...	B. Harkness
Gary Johnson	...	L. Harkness
Susan Keener	...	Angry Woman
Stevie Myers	...	Ice House Woman
Fred Slyter	...	Store Room Clerk

Also Known As:

The Barony (International: English title)
The Last Warrior

Runtime:

94 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Norway:16 (video premiere) | Iceland:16 | Australia:M | Finland:(Banned) (1975) | Netherlands:18 | Sweden:(Banned) (1975) | UK:15 | USA:R | Germany:BPjM Restricted

Filming Locations:

Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Quotes:

Carrot: We will both go to hell, you and me!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Hannibal (2001)

Post Apocalyptic Super Magnificent Seven-type stranger!

This is the movie that virtually set the template for all post-holocaust action films. Yul Brynner, pushing sixty at the time of filming(!)has enough old school movie star charisma to more than make up for the rather pedestrian fight scenes. It is a shame he died when he did because he is loaded with charm and presence and he could have made a much better action movie hero than the lame wanna-be's who followed in the 80's. And how often does one get to see an actor of Max Von Sydow's caliber in films like this? He brings an air of dignity and authority to the film. If one could quibble with anything it would be the sheer cleanliness of everyone--they all look like they just got their freshly laundered clothes from Wardrobe--but this is small potatoes when you consider that in 1975 there were NO movies of this kind being made, other than THE OMEGA MAN and A BOY AND HIS DOG. Take the cool story, cool post-apocalyptic sets and Brynner's and Von Sydow's presence and add b-movie legend WILLIAM SMITH as the heavy and you have a rather enjoyable way to spend 90 minutes. One final note, the cinematography by Gerald Hirschfield is quite lovely, contrary to my memories of earlier viewings, where I thought the lighting flat and TV movie-like; not at all; Hirshfields cinematography creates an eerie, diffuse beauty out of the images of a decayed, empty metropolis. This is a film that deserves to be released on DVD!