RED DAWN (1984) had potential! - Movie Reaction - FIRST TIME WATCHING

[@RolyPolyOllieReactions]

I'm not sure how I feel about this film. One one hand, it had so much potential with an all star cast and a great opening sequence. On the other, the message of violence is just something I could not get behind. I understand that war will bring about casualties and horror but this film almost justifies it in a way. Anyways, I still enjoyed myself watching this and there were definitely aspects that I liked! Thanks for watching and have a great day! :)

[@edreed9189]

The reboot came out during the Iraq/Afghanistan wars and the whole 'support insurgents against an invading foreign power' didn't play so well.

[@brockbaby]

When a country invades.. if your people don't like a 'message of violence' then you are conquered by the invaders. Essentially a Darwin Award. But, America since 1945 has always come to the worlds rescue so I can see how most countries don't even begin to think about survival and doing what it takes to survive. Def the American century.

[@edreed9189]

@@brockbaby Can I ask why you think we invaded Iraq?

[@roryotoole3279]

@@edreed9189 because we did.

[@roryotoole3279]

I don't think that it glorifies killing they're killing to survive. Many of them were anguishing over it as well. The movie is about the futility of war and these kids getting caught in the middle of it. The Colonel tries to set them straight because again they're just kids and don't realize some of the realities. You're not being very realistic if you think Patrick Swayze had a choice. It's a life or death situation. It's not make believe it's survival, being nice will get you killed.

[@BenWillyums]

One thing a lot of people miss is that when Jed carves the names in the rock towards the end, he carves his own name and his brothers as well, knowing they are going to die soon.

[@chrisford1116]

I was in high school when this movie came out, roughly the age of the Robert character. We had to register for the selective services right during all the saber rattling that was going on between the Soviet Union and President Reagan. It was a scary time to be a teenage boy. Vietnam was still a fresh memory and we figured we were due for the next war, and I knew that I would soon be old enough to be pulled in. This movie was visceral for me and for a lot of other mid-eighties teen boys. In your comments about the movie, I think you missed something. We ALL deplore violence and the horrors of war. This movie accurately portrays what partisans, all over the world - in every historical era, do when their land is invaded and their loved ones killed or threatened. We don't have to like it, but it is the truth. I mean no disrespect but what this film "justifies" is not violence for violence's sake, but violence as a means of self defense and the defense of loved ones. It doesn't so much "justify" as it does accurately portray what would likely happen under a given set of circumstances. People stand up and fight back. I'd like to believe that I would. I hope that I am never put to that test.

[@chrisford1116]

@Not Me yep

[@msdarby515]

This reviewer is too naive to have reviewed this movie. He clearly lives in La La land where, in the movies, there are good guys and bad guys and they wear costumes so you know who is who. He needs to stick to X-men and Marvel.

[@williamjones6031]

Vietnam was 10 years gone when this came out

[@chrisford1116]

@@williamjones6031 Like I said, a recent memory.

[@RyGuy42089]

Every male has to register for the draft when they turn 18. I had to register for it when I turned 18 in 2005.

[@conchfritters01]

So crazy watching Swayze and Jennifer Grey in this movie, and then watching Dirty Dancing later. Sort of like watching Charlie Sheen and Tom Berenger in Platoon, and then watching them in Major League.

[@BigGator5]

"Well... who is on our side?" "Six hundred million screaming Chinamen." "Last I heard, there were a billion screaming Chinamen." "There were..." [he throws whiskey on the fire; it ignites violently, suggesting a nuclear explosion] Fun Fact: "Operation Red Dawn" was the given code name of the military operation in Iraq that captured Saddam Hussein on December 13, 2003. Writer and director John Milius felt honored by that. Alec Baldwin Award: The cast underwent an intensive eight-week military training course before filming started. The actors trained using real weapons so that they wouldn't make mistakes using the prop ones. Real Green Berets helped with the actors' boot camp training. Record Breaking Fact: The film made the Guinness Book of Records for having the most acts of violence of any film up to that time. According to their calculations, one hundred thirty-four acts of violence occur per hour, or 2.23 per minute.

[@chopperdeath]

Many people thought this movie was pro war, but it is actually very anti war, in that is shows how awful if really is. Most of the good guys died and even the enemy commander showed sadness for the death of his enemies.

[@timmooney7528]

The concept of the film is based on the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in the 80's. The Soviet Army thought they could roll in and take control with little resistance because most folk in Afghanistan are fairly low tech. The mujahideen had no tanks, planes or centralized infrastructure, and held the Soviets at bay with machine guns and RPG's. They had the home team advantage and could strike and then disappear. John Milius had the idea of placing American teens in that same role. General Bella's past is one of being a rebel or freedom fighter in other conflicts. In a previous time he was a teen rebel fighting a cause with captured weapons and guerilla tactics. In a way he identifies more with the kids than the Soviets. When he saw Swayze and Sheen near the end, he let them go out of respect.

[@iamthem.a.n.middleagednerd1053]

I don't believe this movie is "glorifying war". Why you can argue the quality of the film, I actually think Red Dawn kicks ass. You have to put yourself in their shoes and think how would you feel if you're 16, you're in school, and all of a sudden another country just starts nuking hundreds of millions of your fellow citizens and then they invade your town, gun down random civilians, rape the women, imprison and starve everyone else with siege tactics, and shoot your dad right in front of you. Is that going to piss you off? Are you going to do something about it? Are you going to feel a surge of patriotism everytime you are able to inflict damage upon your enemy? Maybe you would just give up right away without a fight? But some people, believe it or not, take offense to such transgressions, and they seek to do something about it.

[@keithdean9149]

The tag line from the movie poster read, "In Our Time No Foreign Army Has Occupied American Soil. Until Now." If you are wondering why the USA has engaged in so many wars on foreign soil, the prevailing thought is, "We fight them there, so we don't have to fight them here." The girl's reaction to "what's up your ass?" comment was because they had both been raped by Russian soldiers. The girl you recognized was Jennifer Grey. She was in many movies in the 80's including, "Dirty Dancing," starring alongside Patrick Swayze. In the original script the Pilot and one of the girls, (Powers Booth and Lea Thompson) have affair. It was removed from the final cut because, even for this type of movie, a 40-year-old having an affair with a high school girl was just too creepy. The most unrealistic thing about this movie is the entire premise. Any major conflict between the USA and the USSR would have resulted in global nuclear war. The director called this an anti-war action movie.

[@rexmundi2986]

The most unrealistic thing us the idea that Russia could even invade and occupy the US to that degree. They cant even handle the logistics of invading and occupying Ukraine which is literally next door to them. They would never be able to project and re-supply across an ocean. They're just kind of incompetent that way.

[@johnnyfive4436]

I think that was a good call to remove it. But I can see why they had it in there because the entire country is in war and I don’t think it matters any more it a guy is older or not. It was a different situation so I can see why they had it in there.

[@williammontroy9024]

Thing is no country could invade America. No combination of countries could successfully invade it's actually logistically impossible currently and honestly in the foreseeable future. Even in the golden era of the Soviet Union and Warsaw pact it couldn't be done . No one has the sea or air lift capabilities and no combination of countries can assemble those capabilities that would be needed to invade the United States. The only way would be to nuke it to oblivion but yeah that option leads to being nuked in to oblivion in return

[@nenabunena]

I don't think you get the film. This film does not justify nor promotes violence, it portrays real people in intense situations and how different people react to different scenarios. Why would a bunch of rural kids from a small town know what the geneva convention is? I'm from the Philippines, believe me most Filipinos have not even heard of that let alone know what it entails. You would hate Band of Brothers which is based on real people and real accounts. Gen z are so out of touch with reality.

[@AtomicVampire1]

This was an actual fear for some of us that grew up during the Cold War.

[@markcorbett4031]

trent tracy this movie was a total joke ok . it would be impossible for russian paratroopers to come down from the sky .

[@LA_HA]

Trent Tracy: Like Ollie, a lot of people growing up today simply can't understand what it was like because they weren't there To understand what it was like. Their views on everything are so completely different and their imagination into such unfamiliar territory is disengaged. It's like Ollie said, he wasn't able to connect with the characters, the situation, the message, or anything. Why? Because, like he pointed out 10 minutes in, he would've given up right away and just lived with it. The fear younger people have now is that a glacier will melt and the world will end in -- what is it now? -- 8 more years. Ours was similar to the generations who had to live under threat of war; for Gen X, it was nuclear war. Different fears. Not surprising

[@LA_HA]

@@markcorbett4031 Really? Ya don't say. And what about the part when China's fighting on our side? Was that part real enough for ya, Billy? haha. I'm just kidding with you. The thing is, this movie wasn't trying to be realistic with the invasion scenario. Which is why they didn't spend too much time on talking about how Broke Ash Cuban and Not Stupid Enough To Even Consider Trying This Nonsense Russian forces chose a landlocked place to invade. It's clear they know nothing (about the place they're in), Jon Snow. The Cuban leader was over it a week into the invasion. He was ready to go home. Look at it as more of a thought exercise of a What If situation. Then, think about the choices you'd make in the given circumstances. It may not change your mind about the movie, but it should allow you to imagine how you'd react and what you think you'd do when things go sideways, like they did for the characters

[@jmaalona]

@la ha are you daft? Back then China and USSR were adversaries. China was our ally. Sheesh don’t know history but want to comment.

[@happyjohn354]

@@LA_HA At the time it would have made sense for the Chinese to side with Americans as around that time there was a schism between Russia and China where they became rivals more than allies competing against each other and even had some small outbreaks of violence on their boarders. A good comparison would be like how the French helped the US fight the British in the revolutionary war.

[@waterbeauty85]

I disagree about your interpretation of the message. When I first watched it, I thought the cruelty by the protagonists was portrayed as them becoming corrupted by their all consuming hatred and got a definite Friedrich Nietzsch “Be careful when you fight the monsters, lest you become one" vibe, and Patrick Swayze and C. Thomas Howell's deaths were a thematically necessary fulfillment of “Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves." Also, having fought in Vietnam, I have to note that ruthless guerilla warfare can be the most effective way for people to fight against a more powerful enemy.

[@LA_HA]

waterbeauty85: I also disagree with Ollie's interpretation of CT Howell's character, Robert. His parents died early in the conflict and his eyes were on taking out the enemy who killed them and the people he knew and loved in their small town. The revenge thing was inserted due to the ongoing moral code movies had to abide by at the time. But, in general, killing the kid who was betraying them wasn't revenge. It was simply common sense because that kid fought beside them, and then betrayed them, knowing they'd be executed by the enemy. Mr. Student Body President was not only a traitor to his Country, but more deeply, a traitor to his friends and town. Personally, if I was Jeb, I would've sent him back to town with the knowledge that everyone would know what he did; and he would be branded a coward and traitor right along with his family when the war was over. Killing him wouldn't be murder. But, letting him live with the abject shame would be much more powerful because he'd soon learn that the enemy doesn't trust morally weak traitors, either. That would be lesson enough. But, we can't forget that they were still very young, and in their situation, seeing another way to deal with Mr. Student Body President was extremely difficult in what had become a very hard, bleak black and white world for them. When I first saw this movie when I was much younger, I always wondered why they didn't Sound of Music the 40 miles outta there and Climb Every Mountain behind American lines. Join up there. The military could've used the intel they had. But, after thinking about it for a while, I understood why they stayed and fought. Which is why I understood Ollie saying that he would've given up right away. A Lot of Americans his age would've done the same because they weren't taught to value Our Country, so they don't. Fighting for it isn't something they'd believe in doing against, say, Cuba. Of course, in such extreme circumstances, who knows?

[@okeefe757]

The dead kid hanging out of the classroom window at the beginning is the image that has stuck with me for about 38 years since I first saw this.

[@allenharper2928]

Dead kids are hilarious?

[@okeefe757]

@@allenharper2928 'And I find it hilarous."-I think this was meant to be part of another comment. Thanks for pointing this out. I'm editing that comment to remove that part.

[@allenharper2928]

@@okeefe757 Hey, no problem man just sort of caught me off guard.😂

[@fenix6297]

Swayze compromised himself because he wanted to be "ended". His brother was gone, Erica and Danny were off to Free America. He knew he couldn't continue on by himself. Both he and Matt knew it was a one way trip for them - which is why in the scene before, Jed carved THEIR names (his and Matt's) on the rock as well as Toni's and Robert's before the last attack. Matt said "they might get out of this", but Jed knew they wouldn't make it.

[@jmaalona]

You said they were soldiers violating the Geneva Convention… they were not soldiers. They were kids. They are not bound by the Geneva Convention. Also they were just jocks. It’s totally believable that they never heard of the Geneva Convention.

[@klb9142]

The unrealistic thought you have about the movie is where are they going to imprison anyone. Letting anyone go free would have lead to them being captured or killed sooner. They are not a military, they were kids with hunting skills that used them to their advantage.

[@LoDoFilmUnlimitedMedia]

Hey Ollie, just a friendly message to tell you that your date is wrong. It's 1984 not 1994. The girls are from Ferris Bueller and Back to the Future.

[@RolyPolyOllieReactions]

Thank you! I shall change that now! :)

[@MrGruffteddybear]

Back in ‘84 I was 16. This movie was perfect for the time of the Cold War and tensions between the US and Soviet Union.

[@flatebo1]

Regarding the shooting of captives - Sometime it's a necessity. During D-Day Allied paratroopers captured German soldiers. But they were well behind enemy lines. They (the paratroopers) were small in number. They had military objectives to complete in order to prevent the failure of the invasion. And they simply didn't have the manpower to guard captives. So their options were, basically, kill them or let them go. Letting them go would result in those captives being able to tell German forces exactly where the Allied troops were, how many, which direction they were going, etc. Killing the prisoners was the only way to keep that information out of German hands. Same with these insurgents. They can't let the prisoners go without sacrificing themselves. And they have nowhere to imprison them. Sometimes you simply don't have a "good" option.

[@martijnmanten1070]

You should watch The Hitcher from 1986, C. Thomas Howell being terrorized by Rutger Hauer!

[@nathanfitzgerald6651]

I LOVED The Hitcher! Rutger Hauer made it one of the most nerve-racking, scariest movies of all time. Mr. Hauer should have gotten an Oscar for his terrifying villain.

[@cheeseburger12]

I think you are wrong about the movie's message. I don't think it's saying it's OK, as much as it's saying it's inevitable. They are fighting for survival against a brutal oppressive enemy, it will have a negative impact on the kids. As they more blatantly show with the kid full of hate. They aren't encouraging you to emulate him. But showing how that situation can destroy you inside. Heck, most pf them die because they stick around to fight, rather then try to get to free USA. And as you pointed out, the Col- the adult- didn't tell them they were doing the right thing. I think the movie was more subtle with it's theme then you think.

[@Cest_Moi]

My social studies teacher showed us this in highschool. Back in 1986. I had never seen something like it before and it actually scared me. Made me think it could actually happen, and I think that was the point. Anti Russia propaganda movie for the time. But was scary that you could be forced to grow up fast like that. It definitely made an impression on my young mind. That's why you get recommendations like this, movies that made impressions on us because we saw them during the relevant times, or because we saw them at the theater and they hadn't been copied yet, so not predictable like they are today because they've been done over again and again.

[@rburton76]

I love this movie. Giving away my age, I grew up watching Red Dawn many times. It was a standard Saturday afternoon film on TV. The fear of an attack during the Cold War was a very real thing. I suppose it was helpful seeing a film in which we eventually won the war we thought was coming. WOLVERINES!

[@roryotoole3279]

Uh, we did not win. The closest thing to saying we won would be at the very end but a lot of people died.

[@rburton76]

@@roryotoole3279 I was referring to the end. We’re told the enemy was eventually fought off.

[@Mangolite]

Yes, the film is for entertainment, but Red Dawn is relevant today, especially with how Russia invaded Ukraine. Several Russian armored vehicles destroyed by the Ukrainians appeared with the word "Wolverines" spray-painted in white, an apparent reference to the film. Most war films are anti-war, including Red Dawn filmmakers stating as much. However, the final product is more about fighting back when your home is threatened. These kids were no soldiers, which was during a time when information wasn’t readily available, so for Patrick Swayze's character to say that he had never heard of the Geneva Convention, he wasn’t wrong. The acts of violence were very bleak because this is war. When you are on the battlefield, there is no compromise. Again, these kids are not soldiers. They will commit unimaginable killings without realizing the consequences of the outcome. The original title for red Dawn was Ten Soldiers, and I am glad they changed it.

[@filmgirlLisa]

I think a lot of this subtext is missed for the him.

[@tomfrazier1103]

The more history I learn, the more I appreciate the movie.

[@Echo4Bravo]

This is John Milius, He went to college with George Lucas, and Steven Spielberg. The movie Jaws, He wrote the story about the USS Indianapolis. He's the one that wrote and directed Conan the Barbarian Arnold's 1st real movie. And wrote the script for 1941 Spielberg movie. It's too smart for you kids today, you wouldn't get half the jokes. You truly have to know your history, and have a hyper sense of pop culture after World War II. All Star cast. From Dan Akroid to the chic from Robocop who plays a fine Babe.

[@kimwatchesstuff]

If you want a much better movie with a young Patrick Swayze and see Thomas Howell and others you should check out The Outsiders if you haven't seen it. And as others have probably mentioned before me Jennifer Gray was in dirty dancingAt Leah Thompson was in back to the future.

[@jcford33]

It's easy to have a problem with the "mesage" and have a peace and love attitude when you've never had the fear of actually having your freedom at risk.

[@jmaalona]

His problem was that he somehow thinks the Wolverines were soldiers and bound by the Geneva Convention. They were nowhere near being soldiers. They were unaffiliated insurgents. No one on earth thinks insurgents are bound by the Geneva Convention. So the moral outrage over some of their acts should not be surprising. Also, that was part of the point of the movie- that the Cold War was turning us into monsters. It was not “shooting people is OK.” Basically Ollie missed the whole point of the movie. There are no good sides in war.

[@oddballbegay2879]

Great reaction to a great video! Great up watching this from my uncle and dad who watched this as kids and it is nostalgic for me. This was filmed in my state and was something that gave me pride knowing it was made here. This movie, at the time, showed me how much worse my country could be and to appreciate what we have. And now it shows me to really appreciate everything even more.

[@bekindandrewind1422]

24:48 -- NEVER pick up anything left behind.. Could be booby trapped, could have a tracker.. Could be poisoned..

[@stevemattfis]

Tell your guests we said Hi and are glad they came by!

[@Harv72b]

You are 180 degrees off on your interpretation of the film's message, but that's okay because you're not hardly alone in that. This was a definitively _anti_ war movie, but John Milius trusted the viewers a little bit too much in leaving that message relatively subtle. Think about it in retrospect, though--all but two of the Wolverines, along with dozens of American civilians and untold numbers of Cuban/Soviet troops, died in the movie. They accomplished absolutely nothing with those deaths. The soldiers they killed were replaced, the Soviet reprisals against civilians (something they did in Afghanistan & other places) did nothing to quell the resistance, and the deaths among the Wolverines did nothing more than tie up a few extra soldiers who would otherwise have been on the front lines. The ending spells that out: "in time this war, like others, ended." Nothing that occurred in the movie influenced that ending in the least. Milius shows Jeb (and Robert) shooting helpless prisoners _because_ it's not okay, and he wants the audience to see that, and to see what war can do to one's character. Swayze's character literally transforms from the All-American high school quarterback to a war criminal. You're right about the lack of character development, aside from showing the steady devolution in their morals. As far as the girl (Erica) being in love with the pilot, there were some scenes cut from the script that showed the relationship forming. They wound up being cut over fears that audiences wouldn't be comfortable with a side plot involving a love story between a supposedly high school-aged girl and a married fighter pilot in (at least) his 30s. Lea Thompson, who played Erica, was very upset by it as she said the love scene involving them was her favorite in the script & was instrumental in her agreeing to do the movie. One other aspect of the film worth mentioning: the equipment they constructed for it. Because it was filmed at the height of the Cold War, when things like Soviet tanks and helicopters were in pretty short supply in the United States (read: nonexistent), all of those Russian vehicles they show on screen were specially modified by the props department to resemble then-current Soviet military equipment. They did such a good job of it that they were actually questioned by CIA agents about how they acquired the items. I later served in the US Army and one of my postings was at a large training base, where my unit played the bad guys during war exercises. We used older US Army equipment in that role, visually modified to "resemble" Soviet vehicles, and our stuff was laughable compared to what they made for Red Dawn. Also need to give a shout out to the late Ron O'Neal, who played Colonel Bella in the movie and who had to act in both Spanish and Russian for the role, neither of which were native languages for him (he was a native-born and -raised American).

[@nationaltrails9585]

Writer/Director John Milius and Basil Poledouris were involved with the previous Conan, The Barbarian. It was one of the first PG-13 movies, though some scenes were cut. Due to the subject of the film it did receive technical /political assistance and does have a following. In the recent Ukrainian War, the rebels spray painted Russian vehicles with Wolverines.

[@rexmundi2986]

Im pretty sure conan was not pg 13. Pg was invented cuz people got upset about gremlins and temple of doom, and those movies were well after conan.

[@JohnnyUtah15]

⁠@@rexmundi2986I’m pretty sure the poster was referring to “Red Dawn” as the first film with the rating, which it was. I think they just mentioned the fact that the director and composer had previously worked together.

[@kimwatchesstuff]

I'm I just read yesterday that this movie was the 1st one to be rated PG13 when they came up with a new rating.

[@MsDemeanorsMusings]

Fun fact: I watched your reaction to Dirty Dancing right before this. That is where you recognize "that girl" from. It was Baby from that movie, also with Patrick Swayze, lol. Another fun fact: Those two HATED, and I mean HATED, each other.

[@bengilbert7655]

This was the first film with a PG-13 rating which was created when PG-rated ‘Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom’ received a lot criticism for its violence.

[@NarnianRailway]

In 2010, Australia made their own version "Tomorrow, When The War Began" based on teen book series from 1993. It didn't have near the action or energy of "Red Dawn" slow start but the Assie teens stood against the "Asian" troops invading Australia. The Aussies used a cattle stampede to help take out a bridge.

[@johannesbowers7467]

Ollie, Take a look at this movie, then take a look at Ukraine, Then understand why Americans are hypersensitive about our 2nd amendment. You saw "the Patriot" with Mel Gibson, we liberated our country With farmers and trappers hiding in the woods sniping officers. Also understand that the "but America invades Iraq and Afghanistan" argument is a straw argument. Provoked versus unprovoked aggression, Colonization versus liberation. These differences are absolutely key in understanding the motivations. This is also why in the modern era (everything after Korea) It is absolutely understandable And expected that whoever invades anyone will suffer at the hands of an armed Insurgency of patriots resisting invasion. Viet Cong, Mujahadeen, Wolverines, Fremen.. (same energy)... It is a universal understanding.

[@Hispandinavian]

I watched it when I was a kid in the 80s. When I was more grown, I learned Russian and made multiple trips to the former Soviet Union in the 2000s. I rewatched it after ages, and was laughing at how my kid self was scared of the Red Menace.

[@vonkroenen]

Their dad played by Harry Dean Stanton, Brett from Alien, the school teacher known also as Jack Slater's yelling Lt. in Last Action Hero and the Russian colonel, William Smith who was also Conan's dad.

[@nathanfitzgerald6651]

And Mr. Stanton was wasted in an angry, one-dimensional role in one of the stupidest, one-dimensional movies of all time. And I'm an anti-commie Republican and I still thought the movie was very badly, stupidly done.

[@leperwolf7287]

Their Russian prisoner mentions the Geneva Convention which pertains to the treatment of prisoners of war (one of which is the only thing a POW is required to give is his name, rank and serial number). None of the Wolverines had heard of it, because they are kids who live in a small town where that information isn't exactly common knowledge (If the Col. was still alive. he might have pointed it out to them... maybe). More often than not the Geneva Convention is mostly ignored anyway so you hear stories of torture and/or execution of prisoners of war and less stories of how well prisoners were treated.

[@DougRayPhillips]

I imagine that Jed, and several of the others as well, DID know about it. Jed is just saying that, as a group of spontaneous insurgents, they're not bound to its rules nor do they have any capacity to take care of POWs, so it doesn't apply to them and therefore (tongue in cheek) he may just as well never have heard of it.

[@leperwolf7287]

@@DougRayPhillips This is true. With the technical standpoint that none of them are soldiers. As they are a group as the movie puts it "Made up mostly of children" and have no connection to any military organization (Even though the invaders considered the Eagle Scouts as paramilitary). The Prisoner begging for his rights under the Geneva Convention would either way be falling on def ears. For these kids, they are not performing some military action for the US Government. This personal because since they were fighting for their homes and families. "How would you react if your asshole neighbor came over and shit in your backyard" as a relative of mine had once put it. As far as the Wolverines were concerned going by military rules and regulations didn't apply.

[@jbjones07]

Some James Bond trivia involving this film: the teacher gunned down in front of the school, at the start of this film, you may recognize him. That's Frank McRae, who played poor Bond sidekick Sharkey in Licence To Kill. And the small Russian general who was mostly partnered with the Cuban general, was played by Vladek Shaybal, who played the chess master Kronsteen (SPECTRE #5) in From Russia With Love. Like someone below stated, if you thought the cast was good in this, you should check out The Outsiders (1983); a few of the actors from this one show up in that film (and then some). Have a feeling you might enjoy that one.

[@John_Locke_108]

Absolute classic movie. Saw it in the theater when it came out. I was 7 or 8 and it was so inspiring.

[@rodneyjoyce6353]

One of the girls,Jennifer Gray was in Dirty Dancing with Patrick Swayze

[@morganspider-manmarvelfan6110]

WOLVERINES!

[@mrgonzale0978]

Patrick Swayze was the man in the 80 and 90's awesome movies great dancer and ok singer. dude could do it all.

[@ScarlettM]

16:40 -partisan/guerilla fighting by locals is very effective. When Hitler invaded USSR, partisan battalions with over 1,000,000 people in them, made a lot of difference in the war.

[@stocks1000]

You can't justify fighting to protect your home, your friends and family, your country? "What's the difference between us and them?" "We live here."

[@jasnycal]

This was the Perfect film in the 80's for teenagers. That's all this was really was then, I know I was one of em., not sure how much potential you were looking for. Always great reaction keep up the great work, and pet you dog for me.

[@crpgdungeonsdragonsnight]

'Corn Chex not a good cereal,' you say? Imagine you've been out in the wilderness just barely surviving day to day. The food you'd never consider eating under normal conditions would become the greatest food ever in your eyes.

[@IggyStardust1967]

HOT DAMN!!!! Thank you for doing this one, Ollie!! Might be a bit of a "Propaganda Period" piece, but it's still an entertaining movie. Edit: Something to remember, this was before Germany's reunification, so there was still a West Germany and East Germany. The "Cold War" was close to going hot, and we lived under the threat of nuclear annihilation at any minute. It was a wonderful time to be alive, yes indeed.

[@trejones7735]

I have a question for you. How do you take prisoners when you barely have food and supplies for yourself? They are not trained soldiers. They are high schoolers except for Jeb who was proably early 20's.

[@whitediggity]

Great video. Interesting to see how the current generation reacts to movies like this.

[@daniellaplume3840]

I like your Keith Haring Tee. I saw this movie in the theater as a freshman in high school. It was pretty disturbing, and it was all over depressing to me. Now I remember it as being pretty fabulous.

[@daveofyorkshire301]

One of the girls is Lea Thompson, Back to the Future, Space Camp, My Mother the Spy...

[@jeffreyheronemus1917]

If someone is a partisan you have no protections of the rules of war and in this case facing an enemy that doesn't recognize those rules. Do you think sparing Russian combatants by partisans helps them in any way in Ukraine right now? There was a video released this week of some Chechens fighting for Russia castrating a Ukrainian POW with a box cutter, firing a missile into a a block house of POW's (and strangely trying to blame Ukraine for killing their own captured soldiers), and there are thousands of dead civilians buried in mass graves around Mariupol from the demolishing of that city by Russia. There are plenty of issues to be had about the movie, but the message you are complaining about is ridiculous.

[@apb672]

5:25: "Throw him in the fire" my man what a gangster!

[@stevenjones916]

The girl you recognised was in Back to the Future, she played the young version of the mother.

[@StoryOfUsFinalDraft]

Lea Thompson I think she's Marty's mom on back to the future

[@morganspider-manmarvelfan6110]

She is

[@randeecarreno4289]

Great reaction! 😊 This is a good movie. I think that it's the cast that holds my attention. There's Patrick Swayze(always RIP), Jennifer Grey, Charlie Sheen, C. Thomas Howell, and I had forgotten that Lea Thompson was also in this movie. I think that I remember hearing that Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey didn't get along well with each other while making this movie. It wasn't until they worked on "Dirty Dancing" that they got along better. I very VERY highly recommend the 1983 movie "The Outsiders". Looking forward to your next reaction. 😊

[@janleonard3101]

Well Swayze and Grey started out getting along better in DD (they forgot why they hated each other during this one), but it wasn't long before they weren't getting along in that one either. I would love to see Ollie react to The Outsiders too. I think he would really like it.

[@msdarby515]

LOL, Good reaction? He missed pretty much the entire story line. 😂😂😂

[@03055demery]

I was about a 11 years old when I saw it for the first time. It scared the shit out of me, because it put the thought in my head that it could really happen.

[@fenix6297]

"Rub a butt on him" = is talking about the rifle butt, the part of the stock that goes against your shoulder. Often it will have some sort of texture on it because if it is smooth, it is more likely to slip off your shoulder when fired. Imagine rubbing the hard sole of a combat or climbing boot against someone's face for a good idea of what it would feel like.

[@michaelhurley1497]

One of my claims to fame is that I spent a couple of hours in the same building as Patrick Swayze. I had lunch at a hotel in the Grand Canyon; Swayze had been making a film nearby and had entered the same hotel. Sadly, he went straight up to his room, so I never got a chance to see him.

[@jimtatro6550]

I was in High School when this came out, it was during the Cold War and as crazy as the premise is, at the time it was a plausible way for WWIII.

[@sr71ablackbird]

another plausible way for ww iii was that one that was shown back in nov. of 1983. not sure if ya caught it or not. it was on tv. it was called, `the day after'.

[@jimtatro6550]

@@sr71ablackbird Oh yeah I remember The Day After, it was all everyone was talking about in school the next day

[@alaricabercrombie2692]

@@jimtatro6550 I remember watching it that night, too

[@conchfritters01]

Finally a real review. I disagree with your overall feelings about the film, but I thank you for giving it the attention it deserves.

[@robertgamboa2629]

I was in high school when at this time.this was our life and our reality ....your missing the message ,what would you do!

[@benjauron5873]

Fun fact: This movie was actually filmed on location in Eastern Ukraine in 2022.

[@dall1786]

Unless you grew up during the cold war era, you will never understand this movie truly. You think this is some kind of far-fetched scenario movie? But we lived with this being a possible reality every day. This movie showcases the realities of war. It showcases just how ugly a war would be if it was fault within the US.

[@teestjulian]

It's a training video... All young folks should watch at least 10 times. Ive been watching since 1984. I'm too old now, so it's up to those of you under 45

[@mymyersfamily]

The best part of this movie is that it is so non-formulaic. From the idea of America being invaded, to the fact it focused on how teens might turn into terrorists behind enemy lines rather than resolving the war itself, to the fact it was a bit slow-paced and thoughtful rather than being all Rambo cartoonish action. Heck, they even spent some time making you empathize with the enemy soldiers. You do not go into this expecting such a dynamic experience. And for that, viewers are willing to forgive a lot of flaws. Heck, that's true of most "cult classic" b-movies, is that they had flaws involving low budget, poor special effects, some weak acting, and some plot holes, but they made up for it by providing an experience different from the cookie-cutter Hollywood tropes that keep getting regurgitated. To some extent, I think younger audiences don't appreciate non-formulaic movies as much because they have not seen as many movies and therefore are not yet tired of (or as tired of) the formulas that Hollywood movies keep using. The more movies you see, the older you get, the more you value a movie that just keeps you not knowing what will happen next, where the story will take you, how it will end. In that sense this was a very ambitious movie and if it fell short in some respects, it did achieve something special. I would not call it a masterpiece and it won't make my top 10, or even my top 100, movies of all time, but I'd give it an IMDB of 6.5, which is pretty good IMO. Oh, I think the actress you recognized was in a number of movies including Adventures in Babysitting and Night of the Comet, both of which are pretty good. Again, they are superior b-movie caliber, so not great, but better than they ought to be, and better than formulaic Hollywood big budget pap.

[@frankcastle9991]

Great movie

[@jackcade68]

Honestly is the best policy. Actually when this came out I was a teenager. Even at 16 in 1984 I found it to be rather unbelievable and jingoistic. I agree the plot does have potential however. If not for the score this movie I think would have died on the vine.

[@DwayneDeveaux1204]

Robert did it because he thought everyone was dead and it was hopeless, he didn't care anymore.

[@AnthonyWilliams-li5mz]

Red Dawn one of my all time favorites from 1984

[@hellohi821]

Spot-on critique. Still, there is nothing like a Cold War era fantasy film about American high schoolers taking on a Soviet-backed invasion, Rambo style.

[@goldenageofdinosaurs7192]

Yeah, I don’t view this film any differently than I would any other violent, 80’s film, like Terminator, Robo Cop etc. I also think this was kind of a ‘had to be there’ type of film, as things were so different back then, compared to nowadays. Still, at the end of everything, it’s it’s essentially a Rambo-type fantasy film. Edit: I should add that I don’t think this is a great movie. Ollie’s criticism is definitely fair. I remember thinking it was kinda cheesy when I saw it in the theater at 16 & that hasn’t changed. I do think it’s still fun movie & there are some great cinematography & music. I’m sure the nostalgia of this film gives it a little higher score than I would’ve given it back then.

[@brianlafrazia8237]

LOL, potential. Young man, I know you don’t know much about this time, but this was an awesome and popular movie. It came out when the Soviet Cold War was still front and center on our minds in the US. This scenario DID have potential of really happening. That’s why it hit so hard with so many people. And the violence would have been necessary to defend your country if it’s being invaded.

[@PrinceJediMaster]

One of the best movies in the 80s

[@MichaelJones-mc7ud]

It was not so much that the Nuns did anything (but they may have), it was what they represented to the Soviets. One of the fundamental ideological tenets of Marxism-Leninism was that religion holds a lot of power over the hearts, minds, and souls over the populace. Dismantling religious institutions is one of the many things they were doing in order to reorganize society towards the visions of Marx/Lenin/Stalin. Take a look at how religion was handled in the USSR over the course of its existence. Also, why did they say that 400 million Chinese died? Ideologically, China and the USSR were nominally communist, but there was a split in the 1960s and unification of the communist world was lost. Check out the Sino-Soviet Split and the ensuing Sino-Soviet Border Conflicts and you’ll see why there was bad blood between the two nations.

[@cheeseburger12]

Wolverinnnnnnnes

[@StoryOfUsFinalDraft]

This actually happened but was stopped before enemies could begin through Canada

[@DougRayPhillips]

The year in your title is incorrect. Should be 1984. The Soviet Union dissolved in 1990. A lot of the controversy about this film, when it first came out, followed political lines. Democrats didn't like it so much. It may have helped a bit in getting President Reagan re-elected. Also, there was the question of amount of violence allowed in non-R rated films. A few films, earlier that Summer, had caused controversy by being rated PG. So, the MPAA invented the PG13 rating as an in-between. I believe this film was the first one ever released with that rating. I don't know how the Canadian rating system handled it. Lea Thompson has a wide credit list, everything from Back to the Future to Howard the Duck. She did have an implied sex scene with the pilot (Powers Boothe) in this film, but they cut it before release. Holding up those flower sprigs was a reference back to that scene, which makes no sense to the audience if the earlier scene is deleted. Jennifer Grey was obviously flirting with Swayze with the orange juice thing, but then she got killed before it could go any further. The two of them did get to hit it off, three years later, in Dirty Dancing. Subsequent to that, after Grey got her nose job, she had to start her career all over because no one recognized her. Yes, Swayze and Tom Howell are both operating off something in between vengeance and bloodlust, triggered by the killing of their fathers. But realistically, when they're just a small ragtag group of mostly teenagers, they have no way to hold prisoners. Handcuff them to a tree, inside a tent, and spend all their time stoking a fire next to the tent so the prisoners don't freeze? Guard them every minute? Leave the cuffs on them and spoon-feed them their meals? Not realistic. And if they release them, they'll give their position away. There's really only one answer, whether they were motivated by vengeance or not. They did spend a lot of money on props and effects. They stuck fiberglass prosthetics onto American equipment to make it look like Mi-24 helicopter gunships [those were later re-used in the Rambo movies], T-70 tanks and whatever else was needed. The mockups were so realistic that they were spotted by our own satellites and the government sent some folks out to the set to investigate. There's a 2012 remake, where originally the primary aggressor was Communist China. But that meant no Chinese market for the film, so they spent a couple years in Post, reshooting some scenes and digitally changing the uniforms so that the primary aggressor was North Korea with some help from Russian Blue Berets. You can skip that one.

[@RolyPolyOllieReactions]

I changed the date of the video thank you for letting me know! :)

[@DougRayPhillips]

@@RolyPolyOllieReactions I'll leave that part of my original note, so your response makes sense. I did add some other stuff to my notes.

[@flpndrox]

The 80s were hardcore. We had children picking up AKs wasting Commies in kids movies.

[@nobodyherepal3292]

In hindsight though, It’s kinda of a laughable plot. Especially seeing how weak the communist world was then.

[@waterbeauty85]

Since you haven't reacted to a Chuck Norris movie yet, you should watch "Invasion USA." The 1985 one, not the 1952 one, though 1952 one would be pretty interesting.

[@jzl2003]

the traitor had to die. Understand that in times of crisis you can't take that kind of behavior in your circle. If something like that really comes here you youngins will have to develop a spine and be able to do things unimaginable.

[@david4883]

C. Thomas Howel and Patrick Swayze? Does this mean The Outsiders is in our future? 👀🤔

[@raybarry4307]

There was a remake of this movie a few years where the Chinese army invades the west coast. But in post production the people from accounting told the director that China funds a lot of movies and they couldn't make the bad guys the Chinese. So they laughably changed the bad guys to North Koreans. A country about 100 times smaller than the U.S. and one that can barely feed itself. 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@morganspider-manmarvelfan6110]

Are you going to react to the 2012 remake of this movie?

[@julienielsen4462]

I saw the 2012 I believe remake. Loved the story. I never saw this one.

[@Drawkcabi]

I always tell people going into this movie, it was fan fiction written by an ultra right wing hack in 1984, but if you don't take it seriously and think of it as an alternate history film, it can be really fun. I highly recommend the movie Toy Soldiers, another movie you should just enjoy and not take seriously, it's s basically Die Hard in a boys prep school that's a shade away from being a reform school. I think that may be the movie you thought Red Dawn was going to be. Best Regards!

[@christopherpeters6365]

You should look up, "The Devil's Brigade". About the joint U.S./Canada group who are now know as the 1st Special Forces in WW2. Anywho, they had stickers that they left in German bodies that said something like, "You're next..." in German😂

[@ericjanssen394]

“It had POTENTIAL” is pretty much what we thought of it in theaters at the time. 😕 The teaser trailer, just showing the high school class seeing paratroopers land on the football field, got our cool attention, but that was quickly lost when they gave the script to John Milius, who gave the rest of the movie all the subtlety of his Conan the Barbarian script.

[@sergiodavila5269]

Amigo. When this came out in ‘85, during the COLD WAR, we were all tripped out because we imagined the unimaginable…the USSR didn’t & still don’t have the balls to invade the USA….thankfully, Russia, Nicaragua & Cuba know that is a fool’s folly to invade the USA 🇺🇸 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@BruceStephan]

RED DAWN had potential ? It was a hit !

[@nrrork]

To this day, I don't get why they chose that scripty, 80s LA font for the movie's title card. It conflicts with the tone of the film so much.

[@justinedse8435]

Austin is the correct answer!👍😅

[@penoyer79]

it's more of a movie for the times. not perfect by any means but this movie has some strong scenes for sure. the original script was a lot more serious and really leaned into how the war changed these kids over time.

[@smorris281]

With the exception of the shit show in Iraq, the US has never "attacked" another nation without provocation. The US is a peacekeeping nation, you Canadians should thank your lucky stars. Also, AVENGE MEEEEEEE!

[@doncook3964]

robert was my favorite character after the terroorists killed his parents he declared war on them

[@KirbyHighClassof2015]

I’ve always enjoyed this movie, however I know that it’s overall not a good/great film lol. Great reaction man; Subcribed!

[@piercebrosnan9528]

If you like Patrick Swayze may I recommend his best movie in Road House, a very underrated action flick.

[@tempsitch5632]

Stop using “underrated” the wrong way !!!!!

[@piercebrosnan9528]

@@tempsitch5632 Most "Critics" call it a bad movie, I think you are the one who is confused, boyo.

[@daveofyorkshire301]

Americans (from the USA) think they're so strong they're untouchable, the truth is the USA hasn't got anything worth the cost of attacking it. Geographically you're not desirable and economically you're not exceptional... If you think about your economic might it comes from the workforce and both India and China dwarf you in that statistic, Russia has greater raw material resources and many countries are agricultural giants compared to the USA - China, India and Brazil come to mind... If it weren't for you being belligerent no one would even bother with you.... The fact is you're self declared superiority isn't why your untouched, it's basically you have nothing worth the effort. If ever there was an invasion it would be to face-off against aggression or perceived aggression against whoever you're attacking... The great thing about this film is it was realistic. It had tactically and strategically considered the best way to start a war for the USA and these tactics have been used (without nukes of course) by other nations to rapidly get a foothold in a country they were attacking... It also didn't sugar coat the death and destruction of war. It's something that they tried to remake but as usual they lost the soul of the story and failed. It is a great film probably severely underrated because few Americans like to see America the target of a successful invasion. The greatest weakness of the US fighting machine is an inability to handle guerilla warfare, Vietnam was a perfect example. It's the most difficult and insidious form of fighting because you don't go toe-to-toe with your enemy and that nullifies any strategic superiority or advantage of size or technology, if they just don't know where you are, they can't focus their superior force on you. That's why the USA could easily be invaded, it's so vast, you just couldn't hold any territory. It would be a constantly changing frontline unless you could go toe-to-toe with them after the invasion, and that's this scenario... Get a foothold and no doubt plan on expanding out... The simple truth is the USA have not fought and won in war without allies plugging their tactical inadequacies. They've failed to sustain or complete a war since WWII, and haven't had to defend their homeland since 1812, when they surrendered. All their assumed might and superiority is undeserved confidence given in wargames they tend to loose. The UK proved it could nuke major cities without being stopped twice back in the 60's, so they simply stopped asking us to test their defenses. Even now in war games you only participate if you fight along side the British because you tend to loose otherwise... The US has built themselves and Russia up into these idolised elite forces but there is no evidence of you actually deserve the accolade. Your skill is remote combat and blitzkrieg as learnt from the Nazis and all those Nazis you took into your industrial and scientific research establishments after the war. Your entire space programme was built around a Nazi scientist Wernher Magnus Maximilian Freiherr von Braun who became the first director of NASA in the 1960's, no doubt just after your president committed the country to getting to the moon in that decade, and you didn't have a clue how to do it.