Joshua Tree (1993)

Director:

Vic Armstrong

Writer (WGA):

Steven Pressfield (written by)

Release Date:

27 March 1993 (Japan)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

When it comes to getting even, he's taking revenge into overdrive.

Plot:

A framed prison escapee unknowingly kidnaps a female cop en-route to a rendezvous with the corrupt cop who put him behind bars.

Plot Keywords:

Murder | Framed | Chase | Hostage | Race Car

Cast

Dolph Lundgren	...	Wellman Anthony Santee
George Segal	...	Lt. Franklin L. Severence
Kristian Alfonso	...	Rita Marek
Geoffrey Lewis	...	Sheriff Cepeda
Beau Starr	...	Jack 'Rudy' Rudisill
Michelle Phillips	...	Esther Severence
Matt Battaglia	...	Michael Agnos
Bert Remsen	...	Woody Engstrom
Michael Paul Chan	...	Jimmy Shoeshine
Khandi Alexander	...	Maralena Turner
Marcus Brown	...	E.G. Turner
Nick Chinlund	...	Deputy Tomay
Ken Foree	...	Eddie Turner
Edward Stone	...	Detective Jordan
Rondi Reed	...	Detective Chelsey

Also Known As:

Army of One (USA) (video title)

Runtime:

UK:97 min (heavily cut) | 106 min (unrated version) | 102 min (cut version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

Germany:18 (re-release) (uncut) | West Germany:18 (video release) (cut) | Iceland:16 | Germany:16 (cut TV version) | New Zealand:R18 | Argentina:16 | Spain:18 | Netherlands:16 | South Korea:15 | Philippines:R-18 | USA:R | Australia:R | France:-12 | Norway:18 (video premiere) | UK:18 (cut) | USA:Unrated (DVD/VHS release)

Filming Locations:

Alabama Hills, Lone Pine, California, USA

Company:

Epic Productions

Trivia:

The gunfight in the warehouse where Santee, with a gun in either hand, mows down a small army of Asian heavies is a direct homage to the "Heroic Bloodshed" action sequences of John Woo, despite the absence of doves. At the Premiere, Vic Armstrong was horrified to encounter Woo himself. "Sorry, John," he mumbled. "I'm kind of ripping you off in one scene in this movie." Unperturbed, John Woo replied "Don't worry about it, Vic. I've been stealing from you for years."

Goofs:

Continuity: In the hotel scene where Rita is getting undressed for the shower, she takes off her panties, then her bra. When she takes off her bra, the camera moves down her back, you can clearly see she is still wearing panties.

Quotes:

Wellman Anthony Santee: You can open the safe with your balls or without 'em.
Jimmy Shoeshine: First choice.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Are We Alone? (2006) (V)

VERY GOOD

This movie is very well made and has a decent plot. The editing may be a little ham-fisted in places but the shoot-outs are far from simple and the car chases rival that of even RONIN. It also has a sly sense of humour and self aware of it's stupidity. I like the music, it's highly thematic. I like George Segal's character, adding a little class to the oily villain he plays and Dolph is good. He's always good. Much better than Seagal or Van Damme or Stallone. It's a pity he's not in many high profile movies. But this one is definitely one of his best.