C.A.T. Squad (TV 1986)

A special government organization known as the C.A.T. Squad is formed to deal with terrorists.

Director:

William Friedkin

Writer:

Gerald Petievich

Stars:

Joe Cortese, Jack Youngblood, Steve James

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Joe Cortese	...	John 'Doc' Burkholder
Jack Youngblood	...	John Sommers
Steve James	...	Bud Raines
Patricia Charbonneau	...	Nikki Blake
Barry Corbin	...	The Director
Eddie Velez	...	Carlos
Sam Gray	...	Dr. Henry Spivak
Al Shannon	...	Irish Johnny
Frank Military	...	Willie Darby
Anna Maria Horsford	...	Mrs. Raines
Bradley Whitford	...	Leon Trepper
Anne E. Curry	...	Janet
Hans Bogild	...	Dieter Porzig
Thomas Hauff	...	Nolan
Michael Sinelnikoff	...	Sir Cyril Sharpe

Storyline

When terrorists start killing scientists who are working on NATO's laser defense , an elite team, the Counter Assault Tactical (C.A.T.) Squad, are brought in to to stop the killers. The squad consists of five members. The leader is totally ruthless as a military type, but is a pussycat with his dancer lover. His second-in-command also has his compassionate side as he deals with his hearing-impaired son. The third member is the expected explosives expert, whose twist here is that he is a total outdoors-man and absolutely hates cities. the fourth member is a forensics expert who loves to play poker. The remaining member is a young language expert.

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Plot Keywords:

acronym in title | period in title | first part | animal in title

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Genres:

Action | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some violence

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 July 1986 (USA)

Also Known As:

Stalking Danger

Filming Locations:

Mexicali, Baja California Norte, Mexico

Company Credits

Production Co:

NBC Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Referenced in The Directors: The Films of William Friedkin

User Reviews

CAT Squad is too serious for a name like that.

I'm a huge Friedkin fan, but this was not a very good film. Two good things about it: Steve James shines in his role as always, and Eddie "Napoleon" Velez of all people is so much better here than the rest of the cast that the wtf factor of him playing an international terrorist drops quite quickly. The boss Joseph Cortese looks tough as hell says such dopey lines you'd think it's all a parody. Action scenes are well done, but don't really make up for the abundance of dramatic scenes that have a pathetic edge. Ennio Morricone rehashes his old score from Almost Human (Milano Odia) which doesn't fit the tone of this film at all. Friedkin himself rehashes the beginning of Sorcerer on a smaller scale. Written by Gerald Petievich, the same guy who wrote To Live & Die In L.A., it's understandable that the dialogue isn't very good. But hey, this is out on DVD, so you should check it out!