Red Dawn (1984)

It is the dawn of World War III. In mid-western America, a group of teenagers band together to defend their town, and their country, from invading Soviet forces.

Director:

John Milius

Writers:

Kevin Reynolds (story), John Milius (screenplay)

Stars:

Patrick Swayze, C. Thomas Howell, Lea Thompson

1 nomination.

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	...	Mr. Mason
Harry Dean Stanton	...	Mr. Eckert
Ron O'Neal	...	Bella
William Smith	...	Strelnikov
Vladek Sheybal	...	Bratchenko
Powers Boothe	...	Andy
Frank McRae	...	Mr. Teasdale

Storyline

From out of the sky, Soviet, Nicaraguan, and Cuban troops begin landing on the football field of a Colorado high school. In a few seconds, the paratroopers have attacked the school and sent a group of teenagers fleeing into the mountains. Armed only with hunting rifles, pistols, and bows and arrows, the teens struggle to survive the bitter winter and the Soviet K.G.B. patrols hunting for them. Eventually, trouble arises when they kill a group of Soviet soldiers on patrol in the highlands. Soon they will wage their own guerrilla warfare against the invading Soviet troops under the banner of "Wolverines!"

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Plot Keywords:

russkies | teenage girl | propaganda | thin girl | invasion | 

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Taglines:

. . . . A Gang of high-school kids become the last line of defence.

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Genres:

Action | Drama

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Certificate:

PG-13

Did You Know?

Trivia

Patrick Swayze got frostbite during filming. A few years later, he said it still felt like someone shoving toothpicks up his fingernails when he got too cold.

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Goofs

When the Russian Hind helicopter lands and Russian soldiers are exiting, "Front Left" is written in English on a vertical piece of fuselage. It was probably left from when they were adding parts to the French Puma helicopter to make it look like a Hind or to hold pyrotechnics for when one of the Wolverines shot a RPG into it.

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Quotes

Jed Eckert: [they are surveying a wintery landscape, as several tanks gather on both sides to shoot it out] You got across *that*?
Col. Andy Tanner: Just part of it. I hope our guys are still there.
Jed Eckert: So this is the battlefield?
Col. Andy Tanner: It's a real war, kid. It's here every day.

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Crazy Credits

None of the actors are in the opening credits

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Connections

Referenced in American Horror Story: Red Dawn (2019)

User Reviews

An entertaining action movie. Simple as that.

It's no masterpiece, but reading some of the reviews here...you'd think it was an affront to humanity and that some people has been personally harmed by its existence.

It's an action movie, folks. Don't get your communist panties in a twist. Just kick back, enjoy it and get off your soapbox.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English Russian Spanish

Release Date:

10 August 1984 (USA)

Also Known As:

Ten Soldiers

Filming Locations:

Ghost Ranch, Abiquiu, New Mexico, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$17,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$8,230,381, 12 August 1984

Gross USA:

$38,376,497

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$38,376,497

Company Credits

Production Co:

United Artists, Valkyrie Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

114 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo (4 channels)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1