Ruckus (1981)

Director:

Max Kleven

Writer:

Max Kleven (writer)

Release Date:

March 1981 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Thriller | Drama

Tagline:

On the long lonely journey from a past he wanted to forget, to the uncertain future which awaited, he wanted to be left alone... but only she understood. So if they wanted trouble, there was bound to be a ruckus.

Plot:

Kyle Hanson is a Vietnam veteran whose traumatic war-time experiences have left him unable to rejoin mainstream society...

Plot Keywords:

Vietnam | Vietnam Veteran | Veteran | Small Town | Man Hunt

Cast

Dirk Benedict	...	Kyle Hanson
Linda Blair	...	Jenny Bellows
Richard Farnsworth	...	Sheriff Jethro Pough
Matt Clark	...	Cecil 'Cece' Grant
Jon Van Ness	...	Deputy Dave
Taylor Lacher	...	Sarge
Clifford A. Pellow	...	Homer
Ben Bates	...	Big Ben
Jerry Gatlin	...	Bubba
Bennie E. Dobbins	...	Joe
Bobby Hughes	...	Bobby Bellows
A.J. Blake	...	Sally the Barmaid
Melanie Weeks	...	Counter Girl
Patrick Connolly	...	Gas Station Attendant
Bob Peeler	...	Farmer at Fair

Also Known As:

Big Ruckus in a Small Town (USA) (video title)
Ruckus in Madoc Country
The Loner

Runtime:

93 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:12 | Norway:15 | Norway:16 (1982) | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Knights Landing, California, USA

Company:

International Vision

Trivia:

Director 'Max Kleven (I)' considered 'Tom Selleck (I)' for the lead role of Kyle Hanson, but decided against him as he was too big for the role.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: Shots of Kyle driving red pick-up that he escapes in are shown mirrored back-to-front in several shots - the steering wheel is clearly on the wrong side.

Quotes:

Kyle Hanson: Gimme a hamburger... raw.
Counter Girl: Excuse me, sir... did you say "Rare"?
Kyle Hanson: RAW!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in A Stuntman for All Seasons: A Tribute to Bennie Dobbins (2004) (V)

Soundtrack:

I DON'T DO WINDOWS

A Really Cool Movie

The lead, Dirk Benedict, is really cool. There is a lot of comedy in the way he makes monkeys of all of the country rednecks that try to take him out. There is nothing he doesn't know about how to defend and take care of himself. His relationship with the young and delectable Linda Blair is tender and cute.

The country songs, especially "One Day at a Time," complement the hokey, but cool and entertaining story perfectly. The supporting actors, including Ben Johnson and Richard Farsnworth, are great. I've watched the film dozens of time, first when it came out on cable in 1982, and then after 2000, when I bought the VHS tape. You'll really enjoy this film.