A Soviet Special Forces soldier is sent on a mission to infiltrate an African rebel army and assassinate its leader, but the war machine they trained starts to think for himself.
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Title: Red Scorpion (1988)
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Edit
Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Dolph Lundgren | ... | Lt. Nikolai Rachenko | |
| M. Emmet Walsh | ... | Dewey Ferguson | |
| Al White | ... | Kallunda Kintash | |
| T.P. McKenna | ... | General Vortek | |
| Carmen Argenziano | ... | Col. Zayas | |
| Alex Colon | ... | Mendez | |
| Brion James | ... | Sgt. Krasnov | |
 |
Ruben Nthodi | ... | Ango Sundata |
|
|
Vusi Dibakwane | ... | Guerilla Officer (as Vuzi Dibukwana) |
|
|
James Mthoba | ... | Guerilla Officer |
|
|
Dinky Motsemme | ... | Guerilla Officer |
|
|
Ernest Ndlovu | ... | Guerilla Guard / Guerilla |
|
|
Thapelo Mofokeng | ... | Guerilla (as Thapeld Mofokeng) |
|
|
Mxolisi Hulana | ... | Guerilla |
|
|
Nicky Rebelo | ... | Occupation Officer |
Edit
Plot Summary
|
Plot Synopsis
Storyline
Hesitating in the moment he is about to kill the rebel leader, Nikolai fails and is captured. Rather than being killed outright, he is forced to undergo a shamanic initiation ritual. The ingestion of the poison of a local scorpion, and his initiation ceremony, including scarification (a scorpion), give him a new identity and role in the world -- the Red Scorpion. Written by Phillip Batz
Taglines:
They think they control him. Think again... See more »Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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See more on IMDbPro »
See full technical specs »
Details
Release Date:
21 April 1989 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Escorpião Vermelho See more »Filming Locations:
NamibiaEdit
Box Office
Budget:
$16,000,000 (estimated)Opening Weekend USA:
$1,972,994, 23 April 1989, Limited ReleaseGross USA:
$4,192,440Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
| (cut) | (cinema release)Color:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1
Edit
General Vortek: I sent you on a mission... to help an oppresed people...
Lt. Nikolai: But you didn't tell me who the oppressors were, did you?
General Vortek: Nikolai... you were, *SPETZNATS*!
Lt. Nikolai: I AM SPETZNAS!... but I'm no longer one of you...
See more »
Performed by Little Richard
Words & Music by Robert 'Bumps' Blackwell (as Blackwell) & Monica Millet (as Millet)
Courtesy of Specialty Records
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
Some of Jay Chattaway's musical score from Red Scorpion (1988) was re-used John Woo's Once a Thief (1991) (a.k.a. "Once a Thief"). See more »Goofs
During the first chase scene, a Russian soldier fires an RPG (rocket propelled grenade) at a truck. The soldier fires the weapon even though there is clearly no rocket inserted in the launcher. See more »Quotes
Lt. Nikolai: You lied to me General!General Vortek: I sent you on a mission... to help an oppresed people...
Lt. Nikolai: But you didn't tell me who the oppressors were, did you?
General Vortek: Nikolai... you were, *SPETZNATS*!
Lt. Nikolai: I AM SPETZNAS!... but I'm no longer one of you...
See more »
Crazy Credits
Sound effects of various weapons firing and exploding are heard over the Little Richard song the plays during the closing credits. See more »Alternate Versions
The U.K. VHS, French VHS & Laserdisc, and the Japanese VHS, Laserdisc and DVD contain the "Uncut" version with the'Flamethrower' scene included. See more »Soundtracks
All Around The WorldPerformed by Little Richard
Words & Music by Robert 'Bumps' Blackwell (as Blackwell) & Monica Millet (as Millet)
Courtesy of Specialty Records
See more »
Frequently Asked Questions
See more »
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OK now I'm not going to try and say that this film is by any means a true classic, BUT it is a type of classic.
in so much as that it has the man Dolph, mostly half nude, and it has guns, and some really nasty ones at that. so the plot is really weak, nobody is going to buy into the fact that one guy can save a nation but thats not the point, its really just a vehicle for Dolph to do his thing, which is to look tough and sound funny in a monotone kinda way.
i really like the torture scene where the guy is sticking large needles through Dolphs anatomy, actually looks pretty realistic considering its not a big budget film, and also i like the scarification that Dolphs little tribesman friend does for him while he is drugged.
the highlight of the film for me is probably the goofy relationship that is forged between Dolphs character and the little bushman, its really fun. the language barrier is well played out but the writers and actors have enabled this element to flow very well and their means of communication is really very effective at translating the messages of the relationship for the film.
so do yourself a favor and go rent the DVD as it has at long last been released, and sit back and enjoy some cornball action for all its worth.
just don't expect any special features cause their isn't any.