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Red Dawn (1984)
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Overview
User Rating:
Release Date:
10 August 1984 (USA) moreTagline:
A full scale military invasion by foreign troops begins. Total surprise. Almost total success . . . . morePlot:
It is the dawn of World War III. In mid-western America, a group of teenagers bands together to defend their town, and their country, from invading Soviet forces. full summary | full synopsisAwards:
1 nomination moreNewsDesk:
(179 articles)
Wolverines!: Red Dawn Remake to Destroy Detroit (From ReelzChannel. 5 November 2009, 12:03 AM, PST)
'Red Dawn' Remake Will Blow Up 'All Of Downtown Detroit,' Star Josh Hutcherson Says
(From MTV Movies Blog. 4 November 2009, 2:00 PM, PST)
User Comments:
Just because it's propaganda, doesn't mean it's bad more (325 total)Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Patrick Swayze | ... | Jed | |
| C. Thomas Howell | ... | Robert | |
| Lea Thompson | ... | Erica | |
| Charlie Sheen | ... | Matt | |
| Darren Dalton | ... | Daryl | |
| Jennifer Grey | ... | Toni | |
| Brad Savage | ... | Danny | |
| Doug Toby | ... | Aardvark | |
| Ben Johnson | ... | Mason | |
| Harry Dean Stanton | ... | Mr. Eckert | |
| Ron O'Neal | ... | Bella | |
| William Smith | ... | Strelnikov | |
| Vladek Sheybal | ... | Bratchenko | |
| Powers Boothe | ... | Andy | |
| Frank McRae | ... | Mr. Teasdale |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
View content advisory for parentsRuntime:
114 minCountry:
USAColor:
Color (Metrocolor)Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 moreSound Mix:
DolbyCertification:
Canada:A (Nova Scotia) | Iceland:16 | Brazil:14 | Argentina:Atp | Netherlands:12 | Netherlands:16 (DVD rating) | Australia:M | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:AA (Ontario) | Canada:PA (Manitoba) | Finland:(Banned) (original rating) | Finland:K-16 (re-rating) | Norway:15 (re-rating) | Norway:16 (original rating) | Singapore:PG | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | USA:PG-13 | West Germany:18Fun Stuff
Trivia:
In the movie, a regional headquarters for the invasion forces is bombed by the Wolverine insurgents. On 8/3/06 the actual 107-year-old historical landmark used in the film, the "Center Block Building" in Las Vegas, NM, was destroyed as result of heavy thunderstorms. moreGoofs:
Miscellaneous: In the scene where Strelnikov and his special forces soldiers are parading down the street, the belt of the soldier behind the drummer on the far right breaks off. moreFAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (325 total)
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Anyone who has seen Leni Riefenstahl's "Triumph Des Willens" (Triumph of the Will), the documentary about the Nuremburg Rallies, understands that even the vilest propaganda can attain the status of great art. Without a doubt, Nazism was a force to be despised and resisted, yet "Triumph" remains a fascinating, even great film.
That said, I will not put "Red Dawn" on the same plane as Riefenstahl's work. It is neither as good a film nor as vile propaganda. But it does underscore a point I see running through many of the criticisms of "Red Dawn" that have been posted here. Many of the movie's detractors reject the film out of hand because of its undeniably conservative overtones. This, I believe, is lazy criticism. The movie has an excellent pedigree. I suggest you search on ImDb under John Milius' name to see what other films he has been involved in. Some of his more notable accomplishments include the screenplays of "Jeremiah Johnson" and co-authoring "Apocalypse Now", as well as the notably UNconservative adaptation of "Clear and Present Danger". Basil Poledouris' score is fantastic, with its Copland-esque homages. The touches of authenticity in the film are also admirable, including the indoctrination camp (see the recently published "Gulag" or Koestler's "Darkness at Noon")and "Radio Free America" scenes, not to mention the efforts the filmmakers went to to make the military hardware look Russian (as opposed to Russians flying American aircraft in dismal movies like "Iron Eagle II" and "Rambo"). Yes, Red Dawn is propaganda, but just because it may be, from your perspective, the wrong kind of propaganda, you are not justified in invalidating the whole enterprise. It is slick, well-made, and memorable.