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Born American

  • 19861986
  • RR
  • 1h 35m
IMDb RATING
4.2/10
2.1K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
36,511
68
Born American (1986)
ActionDramaThriller
A trio of vacationing American students cross the border from Finland to the USSR during the Cold War and are soon imprisoned after a skirmish with Soviet soldiers.A trio of vacationing American students cross the border from Finland to the USSR during the Cold War and are soon imprisoned after a skirmish with Soviet soldiers.A trio of vacationing American students cross the border from Finland to the USSR during the Cold War and are soon imprisoned after a skirmish with Soviet soldiers.
IMDb RATING
4.2/10
2.1K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
36,511
68
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Director
      • Renny Harlin
    • Writers
      • Renny Harlin
      • Markus Selin
    • Stars
      • Mike Norris
      • Steve Durham
      • David Coburn
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Renny Harlin
    • Writers
      • Renny Harlin
      • Markus Selin
    • Stars
      • Mike Norris
      • Steve Durham
      • David Coburn
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 24User reviews
    • 11Critic reviews
    • 35Metascore
  • See production, box office & company info
  • Photos38

    Born American (1986)
    Born American (1986)
    Born American (1986)
    Born American (1986)
    Born American (1986)
    Born American (1986)
    Born American (1986)
    Born American (1986)
    Born American (1986)
    Born American (1986)
    Born American (1986)
    Born American (1986)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Mike Norris
    • Savoy Brown
    Steve Durham
    Steve Durham
    • Mitch Sheppard
    David Coburn
    David Coburn
    • K.C.
    Thalmus Rasulala
    Thalmus Rasulala
    • The Admiral
    Albert Salmi
    Albert Salmi
    • Drane
    Piita Vuosalmi
    • Nadja Kulakova
    Vesa Vierikko
    Vesa Vierikko
    • Kapsky
    Ismo Kallio
    • Zarkov
    Laura Munsterhjelm
    • Irina
    • (as Laura Heimo)
    Antti Horko
    • Cossack
    Pauli Virtanen
    • Sergei
    Jone Takamäki
    • Interrogator
    • (as Jouni Takamäki)
    Inkeri Luoma-aho
    • Female Guard
    Markku Blomqvist
    • Irina's Father
    Sari Havas
    • Girl at Party
    Marjo Vuollo
    • Tamara
    Juhani Tuominen
    • Car Salesman
    Renny Harlin
    Renny Harlin
    • Man's Voice from Ship's Loudspeakers
    • (voice)
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Renny Harlin
    • Writers
      • Renny Harlin
      • Markus Selin
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Nähdään tunnin kuluttua
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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      As the film was initially banned in Finland for grounds of violence and that it could harm Finland's foreign relations, this meant severe financial hardship to producer Markus Selin as the distribution deals were drawn out so that the Finnish co-producers would get their income only from the Finnish sales.
    • Goofs
      None of the buildings or people in the film have a Russian look, which is natural as it was filmed completely in Finland. The only Soviet things you see (besides a few AK's) are the two cars right in the end: A Lada and a Volga.
    • Quotes

      Interrogator: [while torturing Mitch] We really do have all the time in the world.

    • Alternate versions
      Almost completely non-cut version was released on DVD in Finland 2006.
    • Connections
      Featured in The Dinosaur (2021)

    User reviews24

    Review
    Review
    Top review
    This Yankee Pride Chest Thumper makes Red Dawn look like Apocalypse Now.
    The movie was directed by Renny Harlin who has never done anything good and it's a wonder why people keep letting him make films... such as: Deep Blue Sea (1999), Long Kiss Goodnight, The (1996), Cutthroat Island (1995), Cliffhanger (1993), Adventures of Ford Fairlane, The (1990), and Die Hard 2 (1990).

    This is the only movie I've ever walked out on. Basically three red-blooded American boys are deer hunting in Finland. They ignore HUGE signs in English warning them not to wily nilly cross over the border into the USSR. They happen on a town where there's been a murder. Borrowing from most Doctor Who plots, it's assumed the new comers committed the murder. With their shotguns they proceed to level the town and slaughter most of the paratrooper garrison stationed there.

    In one classic scene, as the characters discuss the virtues of America and why it has won them the battle this day, a flaming man casually runs by.

    Alas their brave fight is in vain for they're captured and promptly handed over to the KGB. For reasons not explained, their release is negotiated by a British diplomat. Ostensibly the USSR and the USA do not have diplomatic relations so the Brits are asked to help. This Brit is as evil as the KGB. Over vodka and comely sex slaves recruited from a nearby Gulag, the boys' fate is decided. They're to disappear... this little matter of 3 American boys wiping out a regiment of the USSR's finest troops would be an embarrassment to all concerned.

    After having their nipples wired to car batteries and some torture, they're thrown into the Gulag.

    We're now forced to endure scene after dreary scene of them cold, damp, sick, and suffering in a recycled set from Hogan's Heroes.

    For more reasons not explained, there exists a labyrinth under this gulag where guards force prisoners to play a form of living chess. Prisoners battle each other to the death with crude knives, maces, and trash can lids for shields.
    helpful•6
    14
    • kamamer
    • Nov 20, 2000

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 19, 1986 (Finland)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • Finland
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Arctic Heat
    • Filming locations
      • Helsinki, Finland
    • Production companies
      • Cinema Group Ventures
      • Larmark Productions Inc.
      • Man & Gun Film Production
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $3,401,376 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $3,388,020
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $2,225,475
      • Sep 1, 1986
    • Gross worldwide
      • $3,388,020
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 35 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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