This movie was originally conceived and written by Thai producers. An American producer kicked in some financing to upgrade the cast. The script did not change, so the bones of the film are pretty ridiculous but the military effects are quite good, as is the cinematography. Of particular note is the crisper editing done for the American version and the score, which musically distinguishes between three ethnically diverse elements, Thai soldiers, ethnic Hmong and American mercenaries. A fine Hollywood gloss was put on a foreign exploitation film.
5 Reviews
What a waste of celluloid
gtjmm0329 January 2005
Could a movie be any more lame? Possibly anything with a duck. But this movie would make a rotting corpse look fresh.
Plot is weak, acting is could be bettered if most of the cast was replaced with a classroom of ADD afflicted 9 year olds, the cinematography looks as if it was made of a collection of 1960's era Polaroids.
Fortunately, Bill Bremiver had a short acting career. Unfortunately the guns that were used to mow him and some of his fellow "actors" (it's SOOOO hard to say that without retching) were not loaded with something other than blanks.
Frankly, anything with Madonna and Sean Penn is better than this.
Plot is weak, acting is could be bettered if most of the cast was replaced with a classroom of ADD afflicted 9 year olds, the cinematography looks as if it was made of a collection of 1960's era Polaroids.
Fortunately, Bill Bremiver had a short acting career. Unfortunately the guns that were used to mow him and some of his fellow "actors" (it's SOOOO hard to say that without retching) were not loaded with something other than blanks.
Frankly, anything with Madonna and Sean Penn is better than this.
For releasing this movie, this is why we're always touting AIP. We recommend this movie highly!
tarbosh2200023 April 2012
Warning: Spoilers
Maniacal mercenary Jeff Slater (Jones), and his right-hand man Christoph (Kluppel)lead a band of baddies to Thailand to try and retrieve a cache of gold bars hidden in what looks like a miniature NASA spacecraft. Also after the gold is Slater's former 'Nam buddy Oliver Moss (Vincent). Moss takes his right-hand gal Debbie (Rose) along with him and his gang. But there's going to be plenty of conflicts and competition, not even amongst the two groups vying for the treasure, but from local soldiers, as well as a battalion of Japanese warriors hidden in a Thai cave (????). He who has the gold makes the rules...who will rule? This movie is so great! It ranks among the best work of P. Chalong, the best work of Jan-Michael Vincent, the best work of Sherrie Rose, the best work of AIP, the best work of Christoph Kluppel and by far the best work of Sam Jones. All in one convenient movie! How can you lose? P. Chalong has directed six movies in his career and we've seen three of them to date - Gold Raiders (1983), The Lost Idol (1990), and this. Sadly, it was his last movie, because he'd finally fulfilled his potential as a director and given us the P. Chalong that we've always wanted to see, if that makes any sense. He seems to be the only guy out there willing to hire the under-used Christoph - who, in true Tony Danza fashion only plays dudes named Christoph - but for some reason is dubbed with a Russian accent. He's a member of the team of baddies that includes a guy that looks like an 80's-era Weird Al, and a Tommy Chong-like man as well. Truly these are the villains that will strike fear in your heart. On the hero side we have Sherrie Rose, who hails from our home state of Connecticut. She can certainly hold her own with all the testosterone around. And fan favorite JMV - even though it was the 90's at this point - still wears his sunglasses at night in true Corey Hart fashion, as well has his Member's Only jacket and childlike hair part. Witness as he mispronounces the word "Laos" - but even still, he doesn't seem that drunk this time around. Whether that's a good thing or not is up to you.
But, ladies and gentlemen, no one can even come close to Sam Jones in this, the role of his lifetime. Jones, playing a baddie (which is rare for him) seizes the opportunity with gusto. He's at his absolute best as he chews the scenery to shreds with hyped-up abandon. It's over the top in the best sense of the word, even a John Miller (From Honor and Glory, 1993)-like performance. It's beyond a tour-de-force. It's a tour-de-France as he attempts to lead his horde of highly-questionable antagonists to victory. Sam Jones in this movie is enough to warrant a purchase.
Adding to the silliness/weirdness (besides everything else) is the Godzilla movie-like dubbing of the Thai actors, the George W. Bush-like Texan "John Point" who appears in the beginning of the film, JMV shooting a missile launcher in mid-air from a parachute (it's in the trailer so it's not a spoiler) and plenty of other great, rewindable moments, which are normally so rare. This is truly one of the best Exploding Hut movies we've yet seen, it really transcends the genre. But when buying this movie, don't confuse it with the 2010 release of the same name. Obviously the people who made that one are film-illiterate because they've never heard of P. Chalong! Chalong was the first one to cleverly add a simple "L" to the famous inscription on our currency. We miss you, P. We really do.
For releasing this movie, this is why we're always touting AIP. We give them props. In Gold We Trust is so much fun, and now, finally, Jeff Slater can go in the pantheon of great movie villains. We recommend this movie highly!
For more action insanity, please visit: www.comeuppancereviews.com
But, ladies and gentlemen, no one can even come close to Sam Jones in this, the role of his lifetime. Jones, playing a baddie (which is rare for him) seizes the opportunity with gusto. He's at his absolute best as he chews the scenery to shreds with hyped-up abandon. It's over the top in the best sense of the word, even a John Miller (From Honor and Glory, 1993)-like performance. It's beyond a tour-de-force. It's a tour-de-France as he attempts to lead his horde of highly-questionable antagonists to victory. Sam Jones in this movie is enough to warrant a purchase.
Adding to the silliness/weirdness (besides everything else) is the Godzilla movie-like dubbing of the Thai actors, the George W. Bush-like Texan "John Point" who appears in the beginning of the film, JMV shooting a missile launcher in mid-air from a parachute (it's in the trailer so it's not a spoiler) and plenty of other great, rewindable moments, which are normally so rare. This is truly one of the best Exploding Hut movies we've yet seen, it really transcends the genre. But when buying this movie, don't confuse it with the 2010 release of the same name. Obviously the people who made that one are film-illiterate because they've never heard of P. Chalong! Chalong was the first one to cleverly add a simple "L" to the famous inscription on our currency. We miss you, P. We really do.
For releasing this movie, this is why we're always touting AIP. We give them props. In Gold We Trust is so much fun, and now, finally, Jeff Slater can go in the pantheon of great movie villains. We recommend this movie highly!
For more action insanity, please visit: www.comeuppancereviews.com
Well-made Thai action movie
lor_2 August 2023
My review was written in August 1992 after watching the film on AIP video cassette.
Excellent production values highlight this Far Eastern actoner, a hit on its own turf in Thailand that boasts American talent in the leading roles.
Obvious in-joke has Jan-Michael Vincent portraying ex-Green Beret Oliver Moss, sent back to Vietnam to find a group of savage MIAs (led by Sam Jones) in possession of $54,000,000 in stolen gold. Beautiful Sherrie Rose is the unlikely commando Vincent recruits for the mission.
It's fun watching the hapless Jones and his men try to open a NASA capsule containing the gold (and might blow up if tampered with). Other subplots become farfetched, especially as pretty Michi McGee leads her native tribe of Freedom Fighters against a mysterious platoon of Japanese warriors who are on the Laotian border for no good reason except to serve as all-purpose villains.
Jones' acting is over the top, but pic plays well otherwise, with good dubbing of the non-English speaking supporting cast. Quality explosions and action scenes reflect what must have been a big budget by Thai film industry standards.
Excellent production values highlight this Far Eastern actoner, a hit on its own turf in Thailand that boasts American talent in the leading roles.
Obvious in-joke has Jan-Michael Vincent portraying ex-Green Beret Oliver Moss, sent back to Vietnam to find a group of savage MIAs (led by Sam Jones) in possession of $54,000,000 in stolen gold. Beautiful Sherrie Rose is the unlikely commando Vincent recruits for the mission.
It's fun watching the hapless Jones and his men try to open a NASA capsule containing the gold (and might blow up if tampered with). Other subplots become farfetched, especially as pretty Michi McGee leads her native tribe of Freedom Fighters against a mysterious platoon of Japanese warriors who are on the Laotian border for no good reason except to serve as all-purpose villains.
Jones' acting is over the top, but pic plays well otherwise, with good dubbing of the non-English speaking supporting cast. Quality explosions and action scenes reflect what must have been a big budget by Thai film industry standards.
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