Avenging Force (1986)

A senator is targeted by the Pentangle, a right wing paramilitary group. His pal, a former CIA agent and martial artist, tries to help him. The group kidnaps the agent's sister and tries to hunt him down, "The Most Dangerous Game" style.

Director:

Sam Firstenberg

Writer:

James Booth

Stars:

Michael Dudikoff, Steve James, James Booth

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Michael Dudikoff	...	Capt. Matt Hunter
Steve James	...	Larry Richards
James Booth	...	Adm. Brown
William Wallace	...	Wade Delaney (as Bill Wallace)
John P. Ryan	...	Prof. Elliott Glastenbury
Karl Johnson	...	Cmdr. Jeb Wallace
Marc Alaimo	...	Charlie Lavall
Allison Gereighty	...	Sarah Hunter
Loren Farmer	...	Andrew Parker
Rick Boyle	...	Grandpa Jimmy (as Richard Boyle)
Sylvia Joseph	...	Daisy Richards
Robert Taylor	...	Larry Richards Jr.
Bruce Johnson	...	Jeff Richards
Robert Cronin	...	T.C. Cooper
John Wilmot	...	Gen. Al Wyatt

Storyline

Matt Hunter, a former Military Intelligence man who resigned so that he could take care of his sister following his parents' death, goes to visit Larry Richards, a friend who's running for the Senate. When he arrives he learns that Larry's been receiving death threats from a group calling themselves the Pentangle. Later at the rally, someone takes a shot at Larry and hits one of Larry's sons. Matt chases the shooter and takes him out. Matt then calls his former boss to find out who Pentangle is. He learns that they're a right wing paramilitary group and that Larry once foiled one of their plans which is why they're targeting him. Matt also learns that they have an affinity for hunting men. When they try to lure Larry into a trap, Matt tags along and stops them. The group upon learning of Matt decides they would like to make him their next prey. They attack Matt's ranch where Larry and his family are staying and kill Larry and his family and take Matt's sister hostage and tell Matt ...

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Plot Keywords:

mask | death of a friend | white supremacist | murder of a boy | murder of a child | 

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Genres:

Action | Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

Michael Dudikoff's career was on the rise, thanks to his previous Cannon outing American Ninja (1985). He was assured by Cannon heads Menahem Golan and Yoram Globus that his next few films for them would increase in budget and scope, but the company collapsed before this happened. While under contract with Cannon, Dudikoff was linked to every major production they had, including "Spider-Man" and Captain America (1979), sequels to The Delta Force (1986) and "American Ninja".

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Goofs

When Hunter and the boy fall from the roof of the burning house, a real stuntman plays Hunter, but the boy is obviously a dummy.

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Quotes

Larry Richards: Matt, you don't have to get involved in this part, this is my fight.
Matt Hunter: Your fight is my fight. You just remember that.

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Connections

Referenced in Remo, Rambo, Reagan and Reds: The Eighties Action Movie Explosion (2014)

User Reviews

First rate villains make "Avenging Force" memorable .......

While Michael Dudikoff is serviceable as the hero of "Avenging Force", it is John P. Ryan and his right-wing, lunatic-fringe henchmen that make the movie memorable. The film is part hunted in the wild, part car chases, and part martial arts. The assassination attempt at Mardi Gras is quite effective, and the attack on Dudikoff's farm quite brutal. Our hero takes some real punishment in this one, and that definitely adds realism to what could have been nothing more than cartoon violence. If you enjoy hunted in the woods films like "Hunter's Blood", or "Rituals", then "Avenging Force" is something you'll want to check out. - MERK

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 September 1986 (USA)

Also Known As:

Night Hunter

Filming Locations:

Kraemer, Louisiana, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$4,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$1,131,502, 14 September 1986

Gross USA:

$4,679,650

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$4,679,650

Company Credits

Production Co:

The Cannon Group, Golan-Globus Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo

Color:

Color (TVC)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1