Silent Rage (1982)

User Rating:

5.2/10   

Director:

Michael Miller

Writer:

Joseph Fraley (writer)

Release Date:

2 April 1982 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Horror | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

The king of martial arts versus a bionic killing machine!

Plot:

Dan Stevens is the sheriff of a small Texas town who checks out a disturbance which turns to murder...

Plot Keywords:

Hospital | Murder | Axe Murder | Comic Sidekick | Terror

Cast

Chuck Norris	...	Sheriff Dan Stevens
Ron Silver	...	Dr. Tom Halman
Steven Keats	...	Dr. Phillip Spires
Toni Kalem	...	Alison Halman
William Finley	...	Dr. Paul Vaughn
Brian Libby	...	John Kirby
Stephen Furst	...	Charlie
Stephanie Dunnam	...	Nancy Halman
Joyce Ingle	...	Mrs. Sims
Jay De Plano	...	Biker Leader
Lillette Zoe Raley	...	Tatooed Biker Mama
Mike Johnson	...	Biker at Cafe
Linda Tatum	...	Biker Mama #1 at Bar
Kathleen Lee	...	Biker Mama #2 (as Kathy Lee)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
James Bodean	...	Biker in Bar
David Unger	...	Boy #3 at the house (as David Andre Unger)

Runtime:

Sweden:91 min | USA:103 min | Belgium:96 min (video version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Netherlands:16 | Australia:R | Finland:K-18 | France:-12 | Norway:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 (video rating) (1986) | UK:X (original rating) | USA:R | Germany:BPjM Restricted

Filming Locations:

Texas, USA

Company:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When Dr. Spires finds the body of Dr. Vaughn, the syringe in Vaughn's neck can be seen vibrating with his pulse.

Quotes:

Alison Halman: It's no use, Dan. I just can't start seeing you again.
Sheriff Dan Stevens: Okay!
Alison Halman: Okay? You sure do give up easy. You really know how to make a girl feel good.
Sheriff Dan Stevens: I didn't say I give up. I just said okay.
Alison Halman: Okay, that's it! Fenito, the end of the chapter.
Sheriff Dan Stevens: You sure do give up easy.
Alison Halman: Yeah, I do!

Movie Connections:

References Taxi Driver (1976)

Norris doesn't need prophylactics...he has denim

This movie is a lost classic, the "the Godfather" of the karate trained, small town sheriff vs. indestructible killer, while running a motorcycle gang out of town, and rekindling an old romance genre. All kidding aside, what's not to like about this movie? Chuck Norris is at his butt kicking best, Stephen Furst makes for excellent comedy relief, and Brian Libby, as the indestructible killer, brings to life one of the most bizarre and effective screen maniacs ever, all while hardly speaking a word. There are so many great things about this film. The opening scene, with the noise amped up of screaming kids, loud TV, and the screeching landlady, (easily one of the most annoying characters in screen history), gives perfect motivation to the killers rampage. And what I never hear mentioned is the great lighting and camera work found here. The steadicam work is a particular joy. And the bizarre color palette of reds and greens gives the movie an off kilter look that is unique to only a few movies. The bar fight with the bikers, while a little stagey, is still one of the best fight scenes ever. And Norris' final confrontation with the killer who will not stay dead, is tense and exciting. When I am king, I will have a weekly movie program called "Lost genre classics" that will show great, but little seen movies like "Night of the Kreeps, The Monster Squad, Master of the Flying Guillotine, From Beyond," and others like them. And "Silent Rage" will be right there at the top.