The Final Option (1982)

It's suspected that a peace/anti-nuke organization in UK has some extremists willing to use terrorism. The action will probably be against an embassy in London. The SAS/Special Air Service try to get the organization infiltrated.

Director:

Ian Sharp

Writers:

George Markstein (based on an original story by), Reginald Rose (screenplay by)

Stars:

Lewis Collins, Judy Davis, Richard Widmark

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Lewis Collins	...	Captain Peter Skellen
Judy Davis	...	Frankie Leith
Richard Widmark	...	Secretary of State
Edward Woodward	...	Commander Powell
Robert Webber	...	General Ira Potter
Tony Doyle	...	Colonel Hadley
John Duttine	...	Rod
Kenneth Griffith	...	Bishop Crick
Rosalind Lloyd	...	Jenny Skellen
Ingrid Pitt	...	Helga
Norman Rodway	...	Ryan
Maurice Roëves	...	Major Steele (as Maurice Röeves)
Bob Sherman	...	Hagen
Albert Fortell	...	Freund
Mark Ryan	...	Mac

Storyline

A trooper with the British Special Air Service (SAS) infiltrates a radical political group who are planning a terrorist operation against American dignitaries. A glamourized look at the methods and tactics of the famed British anti-terrorist squad.The SAS are a elite army unit which as well as its Anti terrorist role also performs covert and overt training of friendly countries armed forces and operates enemy lines.

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Plot Keywords:

murderess | politician | german | american in the uk | american abroad | 

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Taglines:

Who Dares Wins. The Final Option.

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Genres:

Action | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

Apart from the British SAS, "Who Dares Wins" is also the motto for the Belgium 1st Parachutist Battalion; the Hong Kong Special Duties Unit; the Greek 1st Raider / Paratrooper Brigade; the Rhodesian Special Air Service; the French 1st Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment; the Israeli Sayeret Matkal Shachak Armored Battalion (the 196th Battalion / 460th Armored Brigade); and also for both the Australian and New Zealand Special Air Service (SAS) Regiments. All have some kind of historical tie or connection with the British SAS.

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Goofs

A hovercraft is shown arriving, cars are then shown passing through customs. However the hovercraft shown (an SRN-6) is a passenger-only model and is far too small to carry cars.

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Quotes

Colonel Hadley: When the SAS is called upon to do what we're trained to do, we have been likened to a surgeon cutting out a cancer. It's a filthy and difficult job. We don't like doing it, but it's our duty.

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Crazy Credits

In final credits, "Military Advisors" are listed as "Anonymous."

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Connections

Referenced in 6 Days (2017)

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Soundtracks

Straight Ahead Blues
(uncredited)
Written by Roy Budd, Jerry Donahue and Marc Donahue
Performed by Roy Budd And His Orchestra featuring Jerry Donahue & Marc Donahue

User Reviews

Good honest hokum!

I read the book that inspired this film, 'The Tiptoe Boys,' and to be honest, I prefer the film to the book, which is unusual. The movie is a bit over-long, but the characters are quite well developed and the action sequences are among the best in any UK production and highly realistic. The legendary Roy 'Get Carter' Budd provides the score and we have a minor 80s action classic. Without doubt the assault at The Mews is outstanding and I will never forget the rush the first time I saw it. 'You don't muck (sic) about with the SAS...'

Details

Country:

Switzerland UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 September 1983 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Final Option

Filming Locations:

Portobello Road Market, Portobello Road, Notting Hill, London, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$6,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$750,259, 18 September 1983

Gross USA:

$2,666,873

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$2,666,873

Company Credits

Production Co:

Richmond Light Horse Productions, Varius Entertainment Trading A.G.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

125 min 109 min (cut)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1