Steel Dawn (1987)

In a post-apocalyptic world, a warrior wandering through the desert comes upon a group of settlers who are being menaced by a murderous gang that is after the water they control.

Director:

Lance Hool

Writer:

Doug Lefler

Stars:

Patrick Swayze, Lisa Niemi, Anthony Zerbe

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Patrick Swayze	...	Nomad
Lisa Niemi	...	Kasha
Anthony Zerbe	...	Damnil
Christopher Neame	...	Sho
Brion James	...	Tark
John Fujioka	...	Cord
Brett Hool	...	Jux
Marcel van Heerden	...	Lann
Arnold Vosloo	...	Makker
James Whyle	...	Tooey
Russel Savadier	...	Off (as Russell Savadier)
Joseph Ribeiro	...	Cali (as Joe Ribeiro)
Alex Heyns	...	Priest
Brad Morris	...	Bluto
Tullio Moneta	...	Henchman

Storyline

In a post-apocalyptic world, a warrior wandering through the desert comes upon a group of settlers who are being menaced by a murderous gang that is after the water they control.

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Plot Keywords:

water | blonde | blonde woman | thirst | bearded man | 

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Taglines:

Patrick Swayze. The 'Dirty Dancer' is now a desert warrior!

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

31 March 1988 (South Africa)

Also Known As:

Desert Warrior

Filming Locations:

Dead Vlei, Namib-Naukluft Park, Namibia

Box Office

Budget:

$3,520,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$311,892, 8 November 1987, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$562,187

Company Credits

Production Co:

Independent Film Centre, Lions Gate Films, Silver Lion Films

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This was the only film written by Doug Lefler.

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Goofs

In the final battle when Sho kicks the wagon Nomad is standing on, the cue to pull the wagon accordingly is notably missed by the team.

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Alternate Versions

German Video-Release was cut to get a "not under 16"-Rating. In contrast to this the TV-Version, which was also rated not unser 16, is uncut

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Connections

Remake of Shane (1953)

User Reviews

Oh, so Cheesy!

Wars and drought have ravished the future, a distant reality, and the world is now a husk of its former self. Civilisation now exists in small pockets spread across the desolate landscapes. It is the time of heroes, fighters, and bronzed men who know how to kick butt in a big way.

Steel Dawn, is has an interesting premise, but as a story struggles to develop much higher than a collection of action set pieces. Swazye plays a nomad (the man with no name), who after a tangle with some strange human like creatures of the waste lands, runs into his old mentor on the way to the pub. His mentor is killed and Swazye's character is now after revenge. The film has a spaghetti western feel to it but with out the mystery.

But despite that it has its good side too, as always Swazye is enjoyable to watch and the supporting casts do an admirable job with their characters. Christopher Neame brings a likeable side to his fallen warrior turned assassin, Sho. Who after all just wanted to challenge a worthy opponent to fight. Brion James is good as Tark, Kasha's foreman, whose initial jealousy of the Nomad make him suspicious of all he does, so of course Tark's trust must be earned.

This is not an example of cinematic magic. It is in many ways though a fun film, silly and enjoyable , with out a doubt oh so cheesy.

Enjoy I did.