Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins (1985)

An officially "dead" cop is trained to become an extraordinary unique assassin in service of the US President.

Director:

Guy Hamilton

Writers:

Richard Sapir (novel), Warren Murphy (novel)

Stars:

Fred Ward, Joel Grey, Wilford Brimley

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Fred Ward	...	Remo Williams
Joel Grey	...	Chiun
Wilford Brimley	...	Harold Smith
J.A. Preston	...	Conn MacCleary
George Coe	...	Gen. Scott Watson
Charles Cioffi	...	George Grove
Kate Mulgrew	...	Maj. Rayner Fleming
Patrick Kilpatrick	...	Stone
Michael Pataki	...	Jim Wilson
Davenia McFadden	...	N.Y. Traffic Control Cop
Cosie Costa	...	Pvt. Damico
J.P. Romano	...	Boomer #1
Joel Kramer	...	Boomer #2 (as Joel J. Kramer)
Frank Ferrara	...	Boomer #3
Marv Albert	...	Sports Announcer (voice)

Storyline

An NYPD cop is 'killed' in an accident. The death is faked, and he is inducted into the organization CURE, dedicated to preserving the constitution by working outside of it. Remo is to become the enforcement wing (assassin) of CURE, and learns an ancient Korean martial art from Chiun, the Master of Sinanju. Based on the popular pulp series "The Destroyer," by Richard Sapir and Warren Murphy.

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Plot Keywords:

race against time | assassin | korean war veteran | soldier | action hero | 

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Taglines:

A most reluctant hero takes you on an action-adventure armed only with his fists and wits...and with his tongue planted in his cheek.

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Comedy | Crime | Romance | Thriller

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Certificate:

PG-13

Did You Know?

Trivia

The full name of the military facility was the "Mount Promise Proving Grounds United States Army Weapons Testing and Evaluation Command".

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Goofs

While hanging on to the outside of the cabin on the Coney Island Wonder Wheel, the safety wire attaching the stunt man to the cabin is visible.

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Quotes

Chiun: Remember, perfection is a road, not a destination.

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Alternate Versions

UK cinema and video versions were cut by 35 secs by the BBFC with edits to kicks and blows during the opening fight scene. The cuts are restored in the MGM DVD release.

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Connections

Referenced in Jake Speed (1986)

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Soundtracks

Remo's Theme (What If)
Performed by Tommy Shaw
Written by Tommy Shaw and Richie Cannata
Courtesy of A&M Records, Inc.

User Reviews

One of my favorites

I was just the right age when this came out to really enjoy it. Watching it again loses some of the wonder but none of the fun.

A brilliant mix of espionage and Karate Kid with the master / pupil relationship played for both laughs and oriental mystique, this is a film to kick back to and simply enjoy.

The Eighties were the decade for action comedies and this was one of the best (It was nominated for an Oscar, for goodness sakes)- watching it now brings back lots of great memories.

Always liked Fred Ward - he's the actor Chuck Norris should have been here - and he and the others make this a winner.

Fun movie and one that deserves a remake.

Details

Official Sites:

MGM

Country:

USA Mexico

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 October 1985 (USA)

Also Known As:

Remo: The Adventure Begins...

Filming Locations:

Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$3,376,971, 14 October 1985

Gross USA:

$14,393,902

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$14,393,902

Company Credits

Production Co:

Dick Clark Productions, Orion Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

121 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1