Red Dawn (1984) Scene- The Colonel explains how the invasion happened

[@GroundStudies]

"Maybe somebody just forgot what it was like." That line always stuck with me...

[@Rimasta1]

GroundStudiesGroup Honestly I felt that line could describe how all the great wars start.

[@fromMSUwithlove]

GroundStudiesGroup reminds me of what Ashley Wilkes said in Gone with the Wind "Most of the miseries of the world were caused by wars. And when the wars were over, no one ever knew what they were about."

[@michaeljames8531]

“For it is the curse of men that they forget...”

[@juanc1328]

“Not bad for a bunch of kids!” “Boy, you just made your momma proud!”

[@keithdean9149]

I like, "Who is on our side?" "600 million screaming Chinamen" "Last I heard there were a billion screaming Chinamen." "There were." 400,000,000 Dead.

[@killerfrank8974]

For such a far fetched plot, Powers Booth's description of it actually makes it believable. A true testament to the man's ability as an actor. Rest in peace.

[@MrAmhara]

Not far fetched at all. It's kinda obvious that Mexico was in on the invasion.

[@jimmycash6693]

That comment didn’t age well

[@killerfrank8974]

@@jimmycash6693 Lol, well I was talking about the plot of invading the United States, a nuclear power, mind you. I didn't mean to say it was farfetched for Russia or the former USSR to invade another country, though.

[@PhysifistEngineering]

@@killerfrank8974 yea, you might want to change your thoughts on this statement with the current situation.

[@killerfrank8974]

@@PhysifistEngineering In regards to Russia/USSR invading another country, sure, but not the USA.

[@ekaner117]

The actor portraying the Colonel is phenomenal. The thousand yard stare while telling the kids what happened and how is spot on

[@Angel9932]

That was Powers Booth. He was a phenomenal character actor. RIP

[@alitlweird]

@@Angel9932 *_”Well… bye!”_*

[@LgiovanniF]

He played Jim jones. It was frightening.

[@tatianalyulkin410]

I mean- I know Curly Bill acts like a typical Bolshevik but what's with the red shirt? 🤣

[@rkemp3298]

Watch the movie Frailty, he was great in it

[@Wu.Tang.Financial]

Powers Boothe’s Texas twang always reminds me of my dad. He was legit in this movie, solid actor

[@nickyjames1985]

He has one of the best voices in cinema

[@KevinHuangPhasorQuantaG]

Major props to the writers for knowing that China was politically closer to the US at the time than they were to USSR.

[@ggff3761]

Kevin Huang well if china had been on the ussr side in this scenario the us wouldve been fucked they'd have been completely overrun

[@KiloByte69]

Also major props for the writers correctly determining that our NATO "allies" are a bunch of cucks who would be completely useless in another world war.

[@Seriona1]

In no ways does this story even remotely hint that China is a US ally. It simple states that China was destroyed first since they were at the time, seen as the largest actual threat to the USSR.

[@ggff3761]

Caesar Seriona he says that 400 million screaming China men are on their side

[@Seriona1]

Again, no evidence that China and US have an actual alliance at the start of the conflict. Just because USSR opened a front with China does not mean that the PRC will be joining hands with the US or it's allies in the coming war. Though history will most likely confirm this to be true, at the time of Red Dawn, no one really knows who's on the US side other than Canada and UK.

[@kondor9998]

When he says “There were” and throws the alcohol into the flames, it was one of the best lines in movie history. NUKES.

[@georgecrawford8231]

I was young and would spit Turkey 101 into the fire !

[@MsNessbit]

Yes, we understood.

[@tallesttree4863]

@@georgecrawford8231 I'd slap you myself for wasting good wild turkey

[@matthewjones39]

Wow, you’re telling me the 400 million Chinese people were nuked and didn’t just mysteriously disappear?

[@MrKernkraft4000]

"I thought there were a billion screaming China-men?" "There were."

[@theroyalamerican4226]

Still gives me chills.

[@Awakeningspirit20]

So others caught that too then. I'm guessing this means the Soviets nuked China as well to sideline them.

[@briangriffin5701]

@@Awakeningspirit20 Yes

[@LOLHAMMER45678]

@@fjjwfp7819 They would've tried. Their arsenal was very small though. Some IRBMs and gravity bombs dropped by Tu-16s

[@joetrump2983]

They should make a spin off of this movie showing the war between them and soviet union, wonder did Hong Kong and Macau fell or nuked since they were technically UK and Portugal territory at that time

[@gilbertponder5307]

After having watched this movie many times when I was much younger and then revisiting it again recently, I had a new appreciation for Powers Booth's and Harry Dean Stanton's performances. Nothing against the younger cast, but you can definitely notice a difference with the grownups on-screen.

[@NormAppleton]

The movie is stoopid but Ron O'Neal was great

[@Mrjmaxted0291]

The bit where he throws the flammable stuff on the fire was great. Wordlessly illustrates the horrors in China with 400 million reduced to ash in the nuclear firestorm.

[@sce2aux464]

Whiskey or bourbon most likely.

[@fabclark123]

absolutely. why can't modern action films muster such fine quality of exposition. lack of imagination today

[@tjs597]

@@fabclark123 it's all CGI and nothing else....no acting no story no and no and no.

[@ScarriorIII]

@@fabclark123 not just imagination. Most of Hollywood has zero life experience and does not read, plus they have blinders on. You cannot write anything great when you know nothing great.

[@mediamattersismycockholste562]

2021: After the ChiCom Joe election theft, we're all mostly ok with that.

[@walther007]

"Lt. Col. Tanner" passed away this week. Sorry to see such a memorable actor move off into history.

[@TinkerBTea]

Seriously? He was also on deadwood.

[@Thunderchild-gz4gc]

Powers Booth. Underrated actor. Also great in Southern Comfort and Guyana Tragedy.

[@crusadercats1921]

Powers booth is my cousin. May he Rest In Peace

[@studinthemaking]

@@crusadercats1921 He ever tell you any cool Hollywood stories?

[@mediachristiantv7472]

@@Thunderchild-gz4gc and Vice President/President Noah Daniels on “24” Day 6.

[@animalmother556x45]

"What started it" "I dunno, two toughest kids on the block I guess...sooner or later they're gonna fight" "That simple?" "I dunno.....maybe somebody just forgot what it was like" Fucking savage-ass exchange of words. True soldier right there....not everything has to mean something, and not everything has some grand reasoning behind it, just point him in the direction of the bad guys...he doesn't care why.

[@surenotejas3163]

Good timing

[@animalmother556x45]

@@surenotejas3163 I legitimately thought about this quote numerous times in the last few weeks. What if Putin and his generals just 'forgot what it was like' to be in a war? Forgot what it was like to kill? Friggin nuts.

[@michaelthomas1916]

The two toughest kids are going to fight. It's called Power Transition Theory.

[@cammacisaac9966]

Right now the 2 toughest kids on the block are staring eachother down pretty good. Russia threatening with Nukes and USA not knowing whether to call their bluff or not. Problem is we're screwed either way. Right now the threats working, the west is too afraid to send in troops or even help with a no fly zone so Russia's going to keep pushing into Ukraine and who knows what they'll want next. But if we call their bluff and its not a bluff...all I can say is I hope to go out in the first strike.

[@Rockhound6165]

To answer Jed's question, yes. It is that simple. Wars have been fought on that premise since the first man figured out that a rock could kill.

[@gamewizardks]

"Maybe somebody just forgot what it was like." This describes everything going on in our nation right now.

[@usmarine2100]

hard time create hard men hard men create soft times soft men create hard times we are back on the hard times side of that coin

[@paulgardner5079]

even more so now

[@bigsonny45]

RIP Powers Boothe, great actor, great career, great scene!

[@CharlieGordonRailfan]

Big Sonny. He did add a great sense of realness to this part and many others he played.

[@1badjesus]

Big Sonny ABSOLUTELY! Booth never got props or roles he deserved! I recall this character (tho' brief) as a standout when I saw RD age 11.

[@uppercaset12345]

He could curse better than anyone.

[@jamesvangurpan1959]

big sonny...yes sir he was a great one

[@georgewilkinson1068]

Powers Booths was great in this movie.

[@MarvelDcImage]

People forget that in the 80s many thought the USSR was winning. Only later did we all learn we were kind of so afraid we became delusional and thought the USSR was stronger than it was. With that said, if you can remember the era of the Cold War and watch this movie with that era's mindset then this is an outstanding scene in terms of dialogue and exposition. Writers should take note how with a few lines a whole world war is explained and done so in a chilling way (regarding the death toll in China and the Brits being isolated). Great movie if you can suspend your disbelief. This is probably the best movie ever made about a fictional invasion of the USA (not that there is a lot of them not counting space invasion movies).

[@randomforyou9607]

MarvelDcImage 9

[@notaclerk1]

MarvelDcImage. I'm not sure it was delousion. they had missles subs a very large well equipped Army. willing to fight to the death . they were breaking themselves. financially to maintain this though. luckily certain things did not fall in to place around the world especially in central America. ..that bei g the case they could not directly threaten us except. with nuclear atta k...and they knew where that would lead. being a teenager at the time....it was indeed a time ...for sometimes fear...and all the time concern

[@MarvelDcImage]

They had no food and no toilet paper. They could lash out but not sustain an invasion of North America while fighting the Chinese, etc.

[@user_____M]

The USSR was winning, they heavily infiltrated the West and the world with useful retards (shitlibs), congratulations for the "win".

[@erinprather3793]

I am a liberal. I would fight against any invasion or our homeland. You seem to have liberals mixed up with Commies. Yes, McCarthy tried to lump us all in the same neat package, and wound up screwing up the lives of many Liberals who were very pro America. Just cause we do not lick the boots of big Corporate bosses dose not mean we hate freedom. Yes I believe in gun ownership (Shocking I am sure to you). Where I differ from the right wing would be on Civil Rights for ALL Americans. That includes LGBT, who many have fought for Liberty, and would resist tyranny both foreign and domestic! Red Dawn was a great flick. At the time, had NATO fallen, it would have been very realistic. As much as Reagan may have been an asshole when it came to civil rights, he did stand up to those assholes in Moscow. Carter as much as I like him, was too soft on the Russians. I am glad the west held the line, so this is chalked up to Alt History. A modern Red Dawn could happen, but the enemy would have to be a Chinese-Russian combo, and then it would have to follow a Electro magnetic Attack on the US, killing the Power Grid first, and temporarily blind our military. We would still be able to fight back, but the support for our men and women would be put back in the dark ages with loss of Civilian Electronics, it would make any defense long and dragged out. Still, invading North America would be a quagmire as painful as invading Russia is. Large land masses, both with harsh terrain and the weather would play as big of an enemy as the American Forces, or the Insurgencies that will spring up in the occupied zone. So Yes, I am Pro_Liberty, but like most Liberals, I like the flag high on the post, and not being worn as a shirt or shouting USA, USA till I am blue in the face!

[@florinivan6907]

I like how the Air Force colonel isn't particularly gung ho as opposed to the teens. He doesn't even seem particularly bothered by the invasion. The entire war is justified by him as inevitable it had to happen somehow.

[@Scopper81]

I've read that the colonel was written to be more pacifistic, but a lot of that was cut from the movie. I'm glad it was. I prefer the tired nihilistic pilot he is in the movie.

[@Bladerunner4924764]

I think because he's older, he's kind of cynical about it all.

[@cleon24769]

The kind of man who understood that "some things just are, and some things are not." It's a pragmatic philosophy that helped balance out the teenaged characters' energy.

[@Fadaar]

Movie came out in 84 so assuming the timeline follows when it was made, means he came into the Air Force probably around the time Vietnam really kicked off going by his rank (late 1960's if I had to guess). Been a long time since I watched Red Dawn so don't remember if he mentions fighting in Vietnam or not but I'm sure he and his contemporaries saw enough shit that they really didn't want to go through it again.

[@manabouttongue]

@@FadaarI saw it too. I don't think he mentioned Nam.

[@Fredfredbug4]

This scene is so great because it lets the audience use their imagination, just like the kids have to use their imagination. It makes their fight seem so small and insignificant and paints a bleak picture for the future of the world.

[@gilbertoescamilla2993]

During that description (specially the England part) I kept thinking of the movie "Threads" 1984, with conventional war still happening on top of the misery.

[@jeremystone6433]

If they remade this scene now it wouldve been ruined in with some stupid CGI map

[@annaravenhand5536]

Another one of those times when reality is much worse than fiction. China is with Russia, and backed up by Iran, etc.

[@TheStig_TG]

@@gilbertoescamilla2993 conventional war still happens in threads? I thought all nations collapsed and we went back to the dark ages by the end of the movie

[@breaky011]

@@TheStig_TG That seems to be the case but really the movie just never lets you know again because after the 1st day of attacks its all about survival and nothing more. Possibly could have had a lot of things going on but hard to know at all. Certainly by the very end of the film any war was likely over, but the state of the rest of the world was unknowable it seems.

[@zolafuckass8606]

I find it really endearing, almost romantic from a historical perspective, that Britain stands by us in the movie. I'd like to think that's how it'd actually go down.

[@omanhaddadtbh]

More than likely, a true rocksteady alliance between the two. The rest of NATO? Perhaps maybe France but I doubt the rest.

[@danielhaire6677]

@@omanhaddadtbh Actually, France would be the most untrustworthy of NATO. Remember, the US had to promise military aid in France's Asian interests to get France to agree to join NATO.

[@christosvoskresye]

The introduction of the movie establishes that the US had sat on its hands and basically lost before the shooting started. That was not realistic, but it is even less realistic to grant that and then believe the US would somehow win. You snooze, you lose.

[@FuttBuckerson]

@@christosvoskresye you miss out on the last two world wars where the U.S. sat in its hands and won with our allies?

[@larrybooker4148]

Canada got invaded to.

[@grassbackyard3825]

Man this whole scene and the invasion being told how it happened was so intense and unbelievably shocking . Red Dawn was a small story in the much more worldly picture .

[@JedForge]

This movie came out at a time when my friends and I KNEW we were one day going to be drafted into a war with Russia. Not BELIEVED, but KNEW! If you would have told me at the time how the next decade was going to go I'd have laughed at you lol. I still ponder at wonder at how it all went down.

[@skunkape2]

@@JedForge i felt the exact same way back then. Vietnam and the draft was still fresh on people's minds and the threat of nuclear war was a real big fear of mine, especially after seeing this movie and The Day After. I never talked about it with friends, but like you, I was certain that I would be drafted and have to fight the USSR. I feel like this was an important touchstone for Gen X people like myself.

[@konkyolife]

@@JedForge I’m from the same generation. We knew they were coming.

[@TheLAGopher]

@@JedForge I didn't even want to wait to be drafted.I joined the Marine Corps right after high school in 1986.

[@URProductions]

@@JedForge I'm 36 and I feel the exact same way now about being drafted to fight Russia, and it scares the shit out of me. What worries me most is what my own government will do to me when I flatly tell them "No".

[@stevematda976]

Favorite line of the whole movie: "How'd you get yourself shot down Colonel?" "It was 5 to 1...I got 4"

[@vampiro4236]

One of my favorite of all time. Another badass Texan

[@taemien9219]

Knowing how pilots can be, he'd be more pissed he missed the one from getting Ace in a single fight than he was about being shot down.

[@squidy4082]

@@vampiro4236 yup

[@eyeless4464]

The iconic story behind a photo of a young girl after World War II, has recently come to light, coinciding with the launch of an exhibition of Seymour’s work at The Museum of the Jewish People (Beit Hatfutsot) in Tel Aviv.Seymour, the co-founder of Magnum photos, met the subject of this famous picture, Tereska, at a special-needs elementary school in Warsaw, where he was born and had been sent by UNESCO as part of an assignment to photograph children in postwar Europe. The photograph depicts a young girl scrawling tangled lines on a blackboard, an image which is supposed to represent her home, but is seen as a symbol of her troubled childhood - and more broadly of war’s impact on children.First published in Life magazine on December 27, 1949, the caption accompanying the picture of Tereska read: “Children’s wounds are not all outward. The research team was eventually able to identify the girl as Teresa Adwentowska, the daughter of a Catholic family, whose home was destroyed during the Bombing of Warsaw. At the age of four, Tereska was hit by a piece of a bombed building during the Warsaw Uprising in 1944.The team also found that Tereska died in 1978 at a psychiatric hospital.

[@grunt6799]

I was looking for this quote. lol

[@skaterpulse6746]

"Twice in one century was enough. They're sitting this one out. All except England" 🇬🇧🤜🤛🇺🇸 Forever brothers

[@gustavofring5674]

I think he said twice in one century

[@skaterpulse6746]

@@gustavofring5674 aw shit....5 months and i never noticed that. Feel stupid now haha

[@drakashrakenburgproduction5369]

England’s a pal

[@wexfordbuccos_7161]

Say what you will about Margaret Thatcher, but that lady was always down for a fight.

[@xtheunknown4310]

What he meant probably was world war 1 and 2, in which the soviet's knew that another one would be very costly to majority of Europe in terms of militarily, infrastructure, and populace, and very likely set up pro Soviet political parties all over Europe to be voted into office to make it somewhat easier for the soviet's to roll into west Europe with almost no resistance, but England however heavily resisted the deceipt of the soviet and wound up having to fight them

[@nmelkhunter1]

This was one of the best scenes in the movie. Boothe did an outstanding job with this character. RIP peace.

[@ZarconVideo]

Everyone bitching about the logistics. Remember this is not taking place in the history that we know. In the beginning of the film they establish that the United States has fallen from grace, NATO dissolved and the USSR has become the only remaining super power. So this is a much weaker USA, and a much stronger Russia in this film.

[@TrashGoblin824]

Actually, the US is still a superpower in this movie, they're just strategically isolated

[@TheFi0r3]

Corporal Bigglesworth so pretty much no NATO.

[@TrashGoblin824]

TheFi0r3 Exactly, NATO dissolved

[@mistermax3034]

+Zarcon A stronger Russia, with soldiers that were outfought by high school jocks and cheerleaders.

[@ShadowSonic2]

+Mistermax30 Not exactly outfought, seeing how they nearly all died in the end.

[@robinpage2730]

With only a few witty lines and and a couple of gestures (throwing the alcohol into the fire) they establish a background context and stakes for the story better than most current films ever could

[@nundzi1548]

Current movies are garbage

[@LordVader1094]

@@derekgorman7939 Exactly. They act like lampshading a nonsensical plot makes a nonsensical plot okay.

[@r.m.5548]

@wespozo these days instead of fighting back the movie would be centered around giving up and colluding with the invaders, because borders don't matter right?

[@billbillson5082]

Exactly. Today’s films would say the russians got to the rockies but the transformers led by michael bay stopped them.

[@RageGamerT]

"Somebody forgot what it was like" hard line

[@ToEuropa]

Not many actors could describe such a ridiculous scenario and make it sound credible, but Power Booth did it. And it doesn't matter how unrealistic the scenario is, the movie was great.

[@gregbors8364]

I couldn’t get into it because of that ridiculous scenario that was meant to be taken seriously. I much prefer the high-camp trash of Chuck Norris’ “Invasion USA.”

[@slipnsldnaway]

I mean it may not be that farfetched what would happen if a EMP took out everything we have no air defence on the heart of our country

[@fleatactical7390]

Seeing as how our southern border is wide open and there are reportedly Chinese troops in Canada, not to mention other reports of sleeper military units in the US (particularly in Colorado), and given today's political climate with China and the fact that they have stockpiled billions of tons of commodities in the past two years... oh, and the v1rvs... This is a scenario today that is no so far-fetched, especially when you consider our spineless president and his dealings with China, as well as the UN's goal to revert North America back to principally farmland. I could easily see China wanting the USA for its food production capabilities. Thankfully we have lots more guns and ammo now than we did when this movie was made.

[@samuraigeorge71]

​@@fleatactical7390 It doesn't matter who the President is. The United States would not have much of a chance against both China and Russia in a conventional war. It would be a long bloody war but in the end, USA would lose. Nuclear weapons are the only thing preventing that scenario.

[@anthonymartinez4780]

@@samuraigeorge71 the US would beat a Russian and Chinese joint invasion of the homeland. They would face conventional and guerilla warfare from the military and population.

[@tredekka13]

RIP Powers Boothe. I can't think of anyone else I'd rather have delivering that particular monologue. Just perfect.

[@IronVigilance]

What really hits me about this scene is how little these kids knew about how bad America was attacked. They dropped NUKES and they didn't hear so much as a gossip until now. They didn't know that other countries came in too and attacked from other angles. They didn't know who was still on our side, and they didn't know who else was still alive. This closure still made us feel the isolation from the attack. Even though we knew what was now happening, how they attacked, what the battle lines looked like and what the rest of the world looked like, they realize that they are still alone in this fight

[@chrisdupree8382]

It brings to my mind intel and comms are paramount in a bad situation...

[@Ironhandjohn]

@@chrisdupree8382 That’s what the radio in the cake tin was for. “Here, use this to see where you stand now…”

[@ByteMeCompletely]

Well, if you think Germany or France will protect America, I got news for you...

[@joethekinghawk7514]

They didn't have cellphone and smartphones in the mid 80's, think about.

[@chrisdupree8382]

@@joethekinghawk7514 if you think you need cell phones and smart phones to gather and disseminate intel, you'll be terribly behind the learning curve in an emergency situation... ham radios and CBs were popular in those days.

[@Phoenix0F8]

Algorithm knows what it's doing recommending this clip during March of '22.

[@lovatog14]

A proud New Mexican here, I love that this great movie was filmed in my home state.

[@Sporkmaker5150]

There's a great KZbin video with a guy showing what the locations in the movie look like today.

[@744cherrybomb]

Fair and way a better film than the red dawn remake.

[@mikeehrmantraut1899]

Mark Cherry classics are better than remake the remake sucks a nut

[@thealternate6234]

Not even close

[@OneofInfinity.]

Did not need a remake, all to get easy nostalgia cash.

[@thealternate6234]

@@OneofInfinity. Yeah if your as old as Ballz and grew up with it, The remake was intended for newer generations not a bunch of old farts watching it so they can gripe about how aweful it is.

[@FinnMcRiangabra]

@@thealternate6234 So did the remake fare better with it's audience than the original? Was the remake worth watching or interesting? What made it so? If you want to champion a generation that just copies older works of art and claims them to be better, you need to step up your game and explain why it is so. Because there will be some objections to that general point that have to be surmounted and already exist. Surely you are aware that "West Side Story" is an "updated" version of Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" and that even "Romeo and Juliet" was based on the story of Pyramus and Thisbe. I am not quite so pessimistic to claim that there are no new stories, but a re-hash of an existing story needs to add something to the original or it is just a shitty copy.

[@DodgerFan1988]

"We stopped their butt cold." R.I.P. Power Boothe

[@Unkown-1727]

This is a lot scarier now then when I first saw this

[@CrazyHorseInvincible]

Now it should be a lot less scary.

[@Unkown-1727]

@@CrazyHorseInvincible yes, definitely with how the world is going, this is nothing

[@CrazyHorseInvincible]

@@Unkown-1727 Just a few days ago, the Russian Navy sent every ship it had in Crimea away, because it couldn't defend itself from someone with no navy at all. I don't think we need to worry about an invasion any time soon.

[@davidreeves4556]

Your just grown up.

[@annaravenhand5536]

@@CrazyHorseInvincible you don't think you've already been invaded by over 10 million illegals, including many military fighters? You don't think China has bioterror labs and their own police stations in USA? Try finding a college campus that isn't run by actual Marxists. This is the real purpose of movies, to brainwash everyone into thinking you're better off, when really you're worse off than any movie.

[@waveali5620]

Powers Boothe was one fine damn good actor. Shined in almost every movie he was in. R.I.P

[@usmm05]

I love this movie, but the most unrealistic part to me was when the Col. said the Cuban and Nicaraguan Armies came walking right through to Cheyenne. If the Cuban and Nicaraguan Armies even tried to cross the southern border, the headlines across the country would read...EL PASO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT DEFEATS CUBAN AND NICARAGUAN ONSLAUGHT IN SHORTEST BATTLE IN HISTORY...

[@maximuscaligula]

+usmm05 The didn't just walk in, they had help. Traitors opened the door and saboteurs captured missile silos, check out my earlier point. But yeah, patriotic Texans, unlike gun-grabbing, PC-indoctrinated crybaby liberal Americans who can only operate espresso machines and I-phones (or Apple II's and IBM PC's in 1984), even lightly armed civilians, would give Cuban and Nicaraguan communists infiltrating into the USA through Mexico some serious punishment. The only way the Texans and Arizonians could be defeated is if they were stabbed in the back by liberal politicians, fifth columnists, saboteurs, traitors, and spies who opened the floodgate and allowed communist murderers and terrorists into the USA through the open and unguarded Mexican border..

[@walter9899]

I live down here is San Antonio Texas and living here 20 yrs I can tell you that with all the National Guard, Air force, Naval and hell even the coast guard bases we have down here the Cuban and Nicaraguan armies would be decimated

[@maximuscaligula]

Walter I'm a Veteran and I'm glad to hear that and I believe you, but if it ever came to that nowadays, Obama wouldn't let you fine patriotic people down there protect yourselves, your families, businesses, and homes and defeat them- that would be racist and intolerant of multiculturalism..

[@walter9899]

+Maximuscaligula yeah Obama is an idiot he'd probably apologize to them if we fought back

[@mistermax3034]

+usmm05 Teenagers fighting off columns of Russian soldiers wasn't the most unrealistic part?

[@kgkgaming06]

We stopped the BUTT COLD! That line hits me every time. It’s a very emotional line. You can just hear the anger and frustration in his voice

[@Sandhill1988]

I didn't know he passed away 😥. RIP Sir you were brilliant.

[@davidg3283]

Three army groups crossed the Bering Strait and travelled all the way across Alaska and western Canada to the US border. The distances and terrain would be incredibly challenging, not to mention the supply lines that would be required.

[@pookygallahad4749]

As an Alaskan, very correct. There’re no railroads, no good roads until you get to the Interior. Even then, we’ve got most of the Air Force stationed here, and are the most armed state per capita. We hunt, we fish. It would be Winter War II.

[@joethekinghawk7514]

Not really, if you have tanks and build railroads as you go. Mass logistics isn't a hard today as it was years ago.

[@Originalchili]

@@joethekinghawk7514 idk, isn't Russia having a very very difficult time with supply chains in Ukraine despite the country being right next to it?

[@Waithuhh]

@@Originalchili Literally yea. Russia has a formidable land army, but holy shit did they prove how important logistics are

[@RomanHistoryFan476AD]

@@Originalchili Can't compare Russia to USSR whole different level of power. Plus this is a dark timeline with no NATO around and USSR and allies got more powerful.

[@afez7101]

Props to one of the best writers in Hollywood History - Mr John Milius.

[@alswann2702]

Red Dawn makes up for the pathetic mess he made of REH's Conan.

[@karsten11553]

@@alswann2702 while Milius's Conan does indeed diverge from Howards', Conan the Barbarian is still a wellwritten film, and one of my favourite Fantasy movies. Roger Ebert put it well in his review: "This movie is a lot better than it had to be."

[@PaulCashman]

"Maybe somebody just forgot what it was like." --gives me goosebumps now, during the Russia-Ukraine War.

[@dylangammons6596]

My exact thoughts. It's like putin realizes his looming mortality and wants to reinvent the "glory" of the soviet union of his kgb days

[@joethekinghawk7514]

The Ukrainian conflict brought you here, did it?

[@bullpup33]

Been thinking about this line since the invasion started.

[@PaulCashman]

@@joethekinghawk7514 nahh, the Algorithm did.

[@LordHoth_90]

@@joethekinghawk7514 Red Dawn and other such movies are getting a lot of attention past few weeks. Makes ya wonder

[@heathbag1000]

Good old England, never shying away from a fight. Don't count us out that easily.

[@jbloun911]

Soviets would of rolled England without continental or American support in Europe. USSR almost matched the tech of the US and had great numbers of personnel. WW3 would turn the earth into the Fallout game miniverse.

[@TheFreshman321]

On the current performance of Russian. Army it’s the U.K. who would be doing the rolling over. Russian troops are good at crying and calling mama as the surrender.😂😂😂

[@fordcapri6288]

@@jbloun911 russia not doing so good 😅😅😅

[@jbloun911]

@@fordcapri6288 where, Ukraine? 😂 they just took over half the country in three weeks and aren't even trying. Nothing to do with England. The US are helping Ukraine with aid and I'm sure SOCOM is involved.

[@EroticOnion23]

@@TheFreshman321 Ukraine is vastly stronger than UK tho...just trans and pakistanis in UK now...

[@rodolforuiz4888]

I love how he said twice in one century was enough

[@WednesdayAddamsMW]

They're sitting this one out. All except England, and they won't last very long.

[@joethekinghawk7514]

Europe Paid the price in ww 1 and 2, yep let's set this one out...

[@joethekinghawk7514]

@@WednesdayAddamsMW England, the ever faithful buddy.

[@Damar158]

@@joethekinghawk7514 Helps England didn't get invaded and it's populations reduced

[@bigronnie9629]

RIP Powers Booth. This was one of his finest scenes.

[@robertrock8778]

Such an underrated movie. Best scene in the movie.

[@Mullet-ZubazPants]

Sixty Divisions across the Bering Strait, lol. During the Cold War the US didn't station a significant force near the Bering Strait, because it's impossible to mount an invasion there. I'm also pretty sure that sixty Red Army divisions moving towards the Bering Strait would not go unnoticed

[@jbspencer77]

kenneth mcgriff well its possible, but it would be hard, my understanding is that the cubans and nicaraugians came in through mexico, you could get 60 divisions across the straight, but not in any expedient time.

[@The_Honcho]

This was after Soviet ICBMs took out all major communication sources, NORAD, Washington D.C., Kansas City, etc.

[@yankeesfan9471]

+Lone Watie Did they nuke DC and KC or just bomb the shit out of them? If they nuked them then how didn't this whole war become a total nuclear war?

[@user_____M]

It's impossible until someone does it. The story also takes place in an alternative timeline with a stronger USSR so that's that.

[@armynurseboy]

And people tend to forget that this was set sometime in the mid 80's, when the USSR was still very much a world power and a lot of the warfighting tech we have today (like GPS and other surveillance stuff) didn't exist yet.

[@ericlinck6664]

“There where!” Throws cheap whiskey on camp fire for dramatic effect. Definitely a favorite scene!!!

[@freedomvigilant1234]

Lea Thompson had to move out the way swiftly, I note. ;)

[@mlpsh6995]

Red Dawn, one of the best documentary movies ever made.

[@willrangel4459]

Haha it’s what I alway say too!

[@andrewabrams1535]

It's true!

[@goatman9499]

The best propaganda of all time!!

[@daviddemis3487]

RIP Powers Booth. I will always enjoy your gritty acting from Red Dawn to Dead Wood.

[@MikMoen]

As a kid who was born in '92, when I watched this I sincerely thought this war actually happened.

[@CannibaLouiST]

@ That scary?

[@chucku.farley6463]

That's crazy! lol

[@lilqueso8190]

LMAO ready?

[@davidwood2205]

Yep, it's about to.

[@mikecotto1167]

Google Red Dawn alternate timeline. Someone wrote a great mini story depicting how the entire war commenced. It’s quite amazing how detailed it is.

[@jpowell180]

(Colenel) "What exactly are you kids doing in these woods?" (Charlie Sheen) - "WINNING!"

[@louismatassa8489]

Great movie with great actors and it seems like it could happen today!

[@jsmcmxlvii]

Powers Boothe was such a good actor. We miss him. The scenario he describes here has a lot of parallels to the present day.

[@fubaralakbar6800]

"600 million screaming Chinamen." "Last I heard there were a billion screaming Chinamen." "There were." Damn...

[@garymefford3389]

300 billion

[@grassbackyard3825]

Nukes gottem . I remember hearing that and that was my first thought

[@WednesdayAddamsMW]

But what about the women? Or is Chinamen the (politically incorrect) term for Chinese persons in general?

[@LOLHAMMER45678]

@@WednesdayAddamsMW Yeah, it used to be

[@ingwarostapenko6874]

@@WednesdayAddamsMW why you freaking act like you don't know? It is not year 3458 or something

[@Fenris77]

I think this movie is going to come back into popularity hard!

[@LukeManchild]

I wondered if anyone would make a reference to current events.

[@robertnguyen2025]

Yep KZbin just recommend after watching so much Ukraine war ...

[@LaC64]

Netflix right now is trying to decide if it would be distasteful to add it.

[@Fenris77]

@@LaC64 I hope they do. Haven't seen that movie for years.

[@orangelion03]

Was looking for this clip as being a Powers Boothe fan, it was my favorite part of the movie. May he rest in peace.

[@GeorgiaBoy1961]

The part of the film with Powers Booth is the best in my humble opinion, but then, I have always liked his work a lot. I only wish he'd had the chance to play sympathetic characters more often. Casting people seemed to prefer him as morally-compromised types of roles and not as heroes or men of action.

[@boonnathan9827]

Watching on March 13 2022 ! It’s a MAD WORLD !

[@tomservo5347]

I remember my Dad (an Army veteran) seeing this movie and calling it complete BS. It made me ask him if we could beat the Soviets. He'd always answer that they had the numbers, but we had the technology. Funny because from the shape the Army was in Europe during the draft of the 60's he wondered how in the world they were supposed to stop, or at least slow down an all out Soviet invasion of West Germany because that was the most inviting route. As a 6 year old this movie was scary to me-it really made you think 'what if' and made you appreciate what you had. During the Cold War us kids were weened on Rambo, Braddock:MIA, Ahnold. All of them were super patriots that killed communists like the plague lol. At least back then we were taught to be proud of our country and system, flawed as every system is.

[@thisisnotachannel]

I literally grew up during the "cold war". Couldn't have said it better myself.

[@jacobitewiseman3696]

Maybe he was referring to the fact none of the kids had military haircuts? I mean back some of the movies and shows would basically just have men wear uniforms but still have non regulation hair and shave styles.

[@dangc8315]

The 20th male archetype was the ww2 vet, John Wayne, Jimmy Dean and the 80s action stars. As well as, of course, RR. This was when we were at our strongest. Today we are led my Brandon and his former feckless, weak boss. And we fight over ‘men’ using woman’s bathrooms, gender pronouns. A weakened gender has created an extremely weak nation

[@tomservo5347]

@@dangc8315 What's sad is archeologists will tell you the exact same thing based on depictions from pottery. During the ascendency of the Greek and Roman Empires pottery depicted strong warrior males. During their downfall the pottery scenes had shifted to homosexual, ambiguous scenes. It's a mere statement of fact and not 'hate' speech. We're getting into the dangerous game of declaring anything not fitting the narrative 'hate speech' just as outlined in '1984' along with revisionist history. I wish we could hit reset and go back to the time this movie came out.

[@charlesford7887]

​@@tomservo5347 It's not a statement of fact, you're just pulling this out of your ass. The Roman Empire was at its height when it was pagan and thus socially acceptable to fuck men in the asshole. The emperor Hadrian literally had a young male lover that he made worshiped as a god after his death.

[@foxtrot-Luv]

can never understand why so many people dislike this movie.

[@fleatactical7390]

Meh, too much ham. I haven't seen the remake. Not sure I would be any more impressed by it either though.

[@majordbag2]

@@fleatactical7390 It also is for an 80's action movie relatively well-researched both in terms of terms Soviet military uniforms and equipment and how it noted communist internal politics like the Sino-soviet split. I heard what made the remake suck was it lacked that detail and that it had been removed on purpose, i.e. they not only used cgi to edit the Chinese flags into NOrth Korean flags but the props department didn't use any equipment that could be identified as Chinese.

[@alswann2702]

Because they think communism can work if it's tried their way.

[@mtrich8113]

@@fleatactical7390 if you see the remake don't call Red Dawn, call it something else with the name of Red Dawn.

[@panther7584]

Russians and Chinese disliked this movie of course, then the brainwashed Western who is pro-RU or pro-CN or both

[@steveispeter]

Being mid 40's watching this now is amazing as I wasn't into this as a kid.

[@Joke_Bidumb]

He seems so convincing as he details possibly the most far fetched exposition in cinematic history.

[@Yoseman1]

Just curious, did you have a moniker that made fun of Trump from 2017-2021? I only ask being yes, Biden sucks, but Trump was the worst president we ever had. He was even laughed at by the entire world at The UN....

[@Joke_Bidumb]

@@Yoseman1 Nope. And honestly, I would have agreed Trump was the worst president of all time until I saw Biden's first year in office. They're about neck and neck right now.

[@Cincinnatus1869]

The most far fetched? You do realize there are films about freaking zombies ?

[@retrovicecity9017]

@@Joke_Bidumb Worst president? You must hate a great economy, a major increase in jobs and manufacturing, and record low gas prices. Do you love being ruled by an incompetent and corrupt government that controls elections and supports nazi regimes like the Ukraine. I guess you'll be ecstatic when these devils that stole an election set off a false flag event with chemical warfare and inevitably World War 3. You do realize that before those 4 years there were 3 decades of genocidal wars in the middle east caused by 4 of the worst presidents in US history and war crimes caused by administrations made up of the most heinous people in history. I have two questions for you. Is TDS painful and do you ever watch anything else besides main stream media?

[@SWalker71]

@@Joke_Bidumb horseshit. We weren’t paying for $6.00 gas, 40%inflation, empty shelves at grocery, and wide ass open borders under Trump. Biden has lost his faculties.

[@johnpalacios9392]

Saw this so many times on HBO when I was a kid.

[@operator4108]

AND

[@operator4108]

YEA WHAT ABOUT EUROPE?

[@jcalip09]

RIP, Powers Booth... one of the great character actors of our time

[@randybaumery5090]

This movie seems more relevant now than it did back then.

[@michaelwhittaker5432]

EXCELLENT POINT was just thinking that

[@carloscisneros9081]

I keep wondering now what is the Ukrainian version of , “WOLVERINES!!!”

[@randybaumery5090]

@@carloscisneros9081 I thought that too. By the way good people, this is the SECOND time in my life time old or new Russia invaded someone. Dwell on that.

[@randybaumery5090]

@@daarksideyt and?

[@randybaumery5090]

@@daarksideyt well answer me this much. If the USA is so very evil and so comprable to Vladimir Putin, then why are so many millions of people trying to sneak in here illegally? Because during the Cold War people used to try to sneak OUT of communist Russia and communist Germany all of the time. United States is not perfect nobody is ever saying that that I know of, but I would hardly call it abject evil unless you just going to say that the whole world is evil in degrees which I could prove in the cosmic court everyday with almost every person

[@336W]

More relevant today than ever.

[@wizzydoesdallas3408]

Lol

[@mikequinlivan8842]

Ha! Sure buddy.

[@scottianson5133]

How?

[@craigfelter]

Are you kidding? The Russians can't even project power to a country they share a border with.

[@Nash1965H]

Scary how today's younger generation have their heads buried in the sand (and that's bing polite).

[@connorgolden4]

“Last time I heard there were a billion screaming chinamen” “There were” Christ that’s a lot of corpses...

[@niconestra]

That's interesting! I found someone with the same avatar. Classic!

[@CyanoticFuture]

Coronavirus got em

[@TheJasonsvideos]

Deterred by the nuclear fire.

[@joaquincobas2223]

It's China, they can replace them

[@NoticerOfficial]

@@CyanoticFuture na-na a boo-boo

[@xanderunderwoods3363]

As an Alaskan I assure you we would fight to the last bullet

[@drakashrakenburgproduction5369]

I highly doubt Canadians would allow an invading army roll into their territory easily too. Maybe they would be defeated by the massive Red Army but they would not go down without a fight. If the Red Army managed to even get to the American border it would be very chewed up and running on fumes thanks to logistical issues. Russia right now is having a hell of a time supplying it's troops in Ukraine right now.

[@clintleffingwell8129]

I would imagine that Alaskans would continue to wreak havoc on the Russians with guerrilla warfare even if their territory got overrun.

[@allenleavitt4368]

In 1984, Russian Army divisions who crossed the Bering Strait would have a very, very long drive over rough terrain before they would approach anything resembling a highway. Even then, guarantee you they'd get bogged down on the Alaskan highway. I mean, unless you count the Yukon, there's not exactly a road east of Nome. Can you imagine the supply line problems?

[@tyhawkins7757]

It’s nice to know that Alaska and Canada is backing up the lower 48! Thanks

[@xanderunderwoods3363]

@ty hawkins well, Alaskans don't consider themselves American, but we'd still fight!

[@lendir1]

The *real* Red Dawn. Great clip.

[@notoriousdip5495]

if you are watching this in 2022, YOU ARE THE RESISTANCE!!!

[@ianmangham4570]

When movies were still acted no cgi crap 💪🙏, powers boothe never disappoints.

[@spencerkindra8822]

"They're sitting this one out." I don't doubt that Western Europe aside from England would want to sit out World War III but there's absolutely no way the Soviets would've just left western Europe alone. They had drawn up in plans to invade pretty much as soon as the Red Army took Berlin. And it honestly could've happened right around when this movie was released but in 1983 (I think) West Germany voted to allow the US to install nukes in their country which pretty much ended any hope by the Soviets that they could invade.

[@jackbauer4186]

Well, this statement has proven false. If anything, Nato has now dragged the USA into yet another continental European problem. No sane armies would or likely even could directly invade thr US because of its strategic geography and ahem.. Domestic defenses, but they could and are pulling the forces into their conflicts yet again.

[@rikk319]

@@jackbauer4186 Putin caused this. Russia has never stopped being bullshit artists and the home of dictators, all the way back to the Tsars. Yet another Russian strongman, making all the strongman-loving pussies around the world wet with his 'strength'. It's too bad so many morons can't tell the difference between a real leader and a psychopath.

[@Rockhound6165]

Actually I believe they would. An invasion of the U.S. would be extremely risky so the Soviets would more than likely commit pretty damned near every resource to the invasion and what's left to defending themselves.

[@Rockhound6165]

@@rikk319 make no mistake, my friend, that Putin waited for Trump to be out of office to do this is no coincidence. While I don't believe Trump would have dragged us into a war with Russia, he is savvy enough to make Putin believe he is crazy enough to do it. This is why we never went to war with the USSR because they thought Reagan was batshit crazy(and Ron played that up).

[@rikk319]

@@daarksideyt Of course I believe it. It's true. I'm guessing you believed Stalin when he said Finland was threatening the USSR, or that Germany needed leibensraum, or Hitler deserved the Sudetenland, too. Unless you're an authoritarian, it should be obvious to you that Putin is an autocrat, a dictator, and entirely worth keeping bottled up.

[@LoneWanderer101]

well at least the chinawomen are okay...

[@alwillk]

I don't believe "Chinawomen" is the proper nomenclature.

[@charliebrown5956]

@al d you're out of your element

[@discipleofbugsbunny4075]

al d The political correctness comazar has spoken! It’s a good thing we beat those commies. 😞

[@Zephlos]

its chinaGIRL not women. Also did you just assume their genders? OMFG!

[@LordDavid04]

Well they weren't screaming, so they were spared.

[@Jarr0n]

Such a great movie the ending is literally so awesome and unique

[@razak4494]

Great movie! Way better than the remake. I have this on dvd thank god. Time to watch it again.

[@ikeyasector]

If people understood how scary it was back then. An unlikely scenario, but it was in the back of our minds. If we didn't nuke the hell out of each other, there could be an invasion. Thank God that never happened... but we didn't know the outcome. These scene still sends chills down my spine.

[@Rep0007]

There are only 144 million Russians. 330 million Americans. They want to be aggressive, invade Ukraine and other countries? Fine. Let's go for it -- pre-emptively take out Russia. One-to-one losses, there will still be 186 million Americans left when every Russian is just a burned skeleton and their shitty country is a frozen radioactive wasteland.

[@algorithmsavior3820]

The one good thing the remake had going for it: the current state of defense. More or less, it sounded the same. However, even if several military bases were knocked out, its still Texas. There would have been block to block guerrilla warfare against combatants. And JDM explained that was occurring along the border.

[@shapiroshekelberg604]

A real Colonel wouldn’t have wasted that whiskey by throwing it in the fire.

[@WanderingYankee]

That was the most unrealistic part of the entire movie.

[@Pilvenuga]

a toast to the fallen

[@darthgavel6766]

I'm confident that was moonshine not whiskey. You need uncut alcohol, in order to flash burn like that.

[@charliehalomaster]

this movie has stuck with me ever since i first watched it what a great movie

[@SyndicateBrink]

Such a fucking powerful and ominous exposition scene. And the end of it... "There where..." Oh... my... god... *heaving breathing*

[@1986SSMONTECARLO]

Powers ''Colonel Tanner'' Boothe Jun 01, 1948--May 14, 2017 ''RIP''

[@TheCoolProfessor]

Can you imagine four hundred million casualties? Think about that for a minute. Four hundred million people, human beings all dead. Once they were babies with a whole life ahead of them and then after a short time, dead. War is sickening.

[@florinivan6907]

Yes I can imagine. No it has no impact on me.

[@StrayCatOrwell]

Wait till the tribulation starts. 400 million dead will be a drop in the bucket.

[@madmanszalinski]

@@StrayCatOrwell the what?

[@waterheaterservices]

Planned Parenthood joins the chat

[@Rockhound6165]

@@madmanszalinskiif we're to believe the Bible as prophecy(and if you ever read the Book you'd see that is pretty much is if you look at current events) that the Rapture leads to Armageddon. When the Rapture happens, billions will be taken to Heaven in the blink of an eye. The Left Behind movies really don't do that any justice. But let's put that into context. Think of that for a second and if you're not a believer, suspend disbelief for a second. In the blink of an eye, billions of people are gone leaving everything earthly behind. Clothes, jewelry, prosthetics, even the fillings in their teeth. Every child is gone, even the unborn. And the scariest part is, if the Rapture does happen, it won't be the worst thing you'll, if you're left behind, ever witness.

[@bruceadams8696]

Powers Booth was so cool in this movie. The only supporting role that could ever compare to "I'll be your Huckleberry" / Tombstone/Val Kilmer.

[@trajan74]

Funny you mention Tombstone since Powers was in that too.

[@Original-Juice]

@@trajan74 and he's pretty damned good in Tombstone!! RIP - Boothe. great actor

[@tatianalyulkin410]

He was magnificent in Tombstone.

[@richroyer4679]

Don’t disrespect Commodus !!

[@SpreadingtheMuse]

1:24 "butt cold" Been using that phrase ever since

[@BenchPressManiac]

Its an expression meaning they stopped them in their tracks.

[@BenchPressManiac]

Its an expression. Its used for emphasis.

[@crazedvole]

Maybe it's supposed to be the opposite of "hauling ass"

[@Antwon627]

Rest in Peace Powers Boothe and Patrick Swayze.

[@BuckeyeNationRailroader]

In case anybody didn't know. What he meant by "Europe is setting this one out" is that the USSR invaded Western Europe through Czechoslovakia and have conqured most of NATO Territory.

[@RomanHistoryFan476AD]

NATO was dissolved in this film's timeline and is not fighting Minus UK.

[@BuckeyeNationRailroader]

@@RomanHistoryFan476AD NATO territory as in the countries that once made up the NATO alliance

[@RomanHistoryFan476AD]

@@BuckeyeNationRailroader I'm sure he did not mention any invasion of Europe minus UK.

[@ilbal2448]

We must not forget that sometimes cinema comes to real life. You need to be prepared for different situations. Be able to shoot, be able to provide first aid, have reliable friends to organize your team, have a supply of food, know the area where you live

[@CD-yr8tw]

The movie was a warning...

[@CliffuckingBooth]

Why is this in my recommended videos now i wonder...

[@phuturephunk]

It's kind of quaint how much of a fantasy scenario this was, in hindsight. The USSR was falling apart by the time this movie debuted. Just the logistics chain alone and the ability to marshal the materiel and personnel to pull this off is mind bending and completely outside what the Soviets could have ever hoped to pull off in their most feverish of dreams..

[@Crunchifyable2]

Yeah it seems like US Navy would have disrupted this scenario. Not to mention Alaska is the worst possible route for land invasion. But it is an interesting idea...US getting caught with it's pants down basically with its troops in the wrong place.

[@greymustang0196]

You weren't listening. The Russian paratroopers came in on flights that appeared to be everyday, run-of-the-mill commercial flights. With no warning or tip-off the military would ignore those flights. Now we would have been aware of the Russian nuclear launch so the whole thing of striking our silos would be pointless cause our nukes would have taken off before theirs arrived. The part of illegal operatives coming in from the Mexico border I am certain has already happened and they are living here waiting to be activated. The part about about Cuban military coming up through Mexico is unlikely, we would see that coming far off. They would make for Miami or Naples, our Coast Guard could stall them at best, the Navy would likely prevent them from making it to land if their bases were not taken out in a first strike. Our Naval power is not here, they are far, far away and it would take atleast a week to get them back to defend the mainland.

[@LordVader1094]

Actually it's easily the most plausible "USSR invades" scenario compared to most, because the paratroopers infilitrated on commercial flights rather than using openly hostile military aircraft

[@groaningmole4338]

Hollywood and Reality... never the twain shall meet. This is a Hollywood movie, and, as such, is certified only for consumption as silly fun. It's not to be taken seriously as an art-of-war tutorial.

[@rikk319]

@@LordVader1094 Planeloads of paratroopers landing at LAX and other big-city airports would have gotten wrecked as easily as the Russians who tried dropping into Ukraine. There are military bases near or in big cities that would annihilate them. Marine Corps Camp Pendleton is right next to San Diego, for example--and they'd have heavier weapons and armor than paras could bring on commercial planes. This entire scenario is absurd, I even knew it as a teen watching the film when it came out. With two grandfathers in WW2, a father in the Air Force, and two uncles in the Army, I knew enough to tell fantasy from reality. "Selected nuclear strikes..." yeah, sure. NORAD detects even one ICBM launch from the USSR and it's mutually assured destruction all around.

[@AmericanRailfan-gb8oq]

What nobody understands is when the Colenel says "I guess they thought twice in one Century Was enough, they are sitting this one out, all except England" what he means is that Western Europe has surrendered to the Soviet Union and England is the last country in Europe not under Soviet control

[@brianwhedon8442]

No he meant those countries failed to live up to the NATO charter. Basically, NATO dissolved the second the Soviets attacked the USA (the largest military of NATO). For a real example of this, look at the current situation between Russia and Ukraine and how the USA UK and Poland are highly against Russia while France and Germany don't want to get involved

[@pnyhmsmx]

@@brianwhedon8442 weren't some people saying NATO dissolved before the invasion happens?

[@904jagzsuck5]

@@pnyhmsmx yes it states that in the opening .

[@brianwhedon8442]

The movie starts with a text prologue that tells you of the events of the world. It says certain European countries have become more nationalistic / isolationist while others have political infighting. It also mentions that a "Russian spring" has started in Central and South America. When Russia attacks the USA in a surprise attack, all the continental European nations from Germany west stand down. They ignore Article 5. It is not an actual surrender, but to the Russians they are no longer a threat. Except for the UK, who choose to fight.

[@robashton8606]

"What nobody understands"? Speak for yourself mate.

[@BigDanWestmont]

I'm no military strategist, but let me understand this. Our armed forces allowed the Cuban and Nicaraguan armies to advance all the way to Wyoming and Kansas, but we were able to stop 60 Soviet divisions "butt cold"? That's like saying "that 98-pound weakling really gave me a hell of a fight, but the next day I fought Mike Tyson to a draw."

[@F3aredGenocide]

The movie does have a few logical flaws. Like how apparently Russia pulled this off in the middle of a horrid food shortage mentioned at the start of the movie

[@rainer1980]

The Cuban and Nicaraguan armies probably would have "drafted" gang members, and cartel members, who would have given them an edge in urban street fighting that the Soviets wouldn't have had an advantage in. But, we also know historically from the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan that the Soviet tanks, and a lot of their military hardware was designed for colder terrain in Europe, and didn't fare well in the Afghan desert, and mountains. So, the climate differences in Canada, and the U.S. in addition to the rugged mountain terrain in Alaska, Canada, and the Rocky Mountains (where the U.S military. held the line) would have also been major challenges.

[@Kokyiintx]

No sane sober plan would involve invading Alaska and proceeding down through Canada (1000 miles or more of mines, ambushes, and almost NO alternate routes to take) to invade Seattle. 60 divisions could and would be stopped cold.

[@selfdo]

@@Kokyiintx And if they took Seattle in its present state, it'd be such a waste...for THEM.

[@alwillk]

Surprise attack like Pearl Harbor or 9/11. Once the US was able to figure out what was going on they were able to contain the threat. So the scenario described could be plausible.

[@Aurik-Kal-Durin]

I'd like to see a military analyst take a crack at this scene, give us an idea of how plausible this invasion scenario would've been both during this time period and in 2022.

[@randomlyentertaining8287]

Well it'd be impossible. Nukes might be possible but a land invasion of the US is not.

[@coltonwhite2518]

Most would probably say it's unfeasible by any time period. An invasion of the US by any conventional means would be an absolute bloodbath and that's if they could get past the Navy, which is a daunting task of its own. Then you have North America's wide geological range, a heavily armed population, and the sheer size of the US's infrastructure. Even shortly after the US's infancy(1800's) they could field and arm well over a million soldiers and move them seamlessly throughout the home regions. Hell during the civil war both the Union and Confederacy had armies and auxiliary units that matched most major European powers at the time along with military advancements that looked like they came out of WW1. An invasion today isn't completely off the table, but odds are it would go down as one of the worst military disasters in history.

[@jorgevillalobos1852]

That movie went out during a very complex and dangerous time in my home country (México). Eye opener.

[@moic9704]

I am mexican too, what do you mean by a complex and dangerous time in Mexico?

[@jorgevillalobos1852]

@@moic9704 - During the initial transition to democracy.

[@johnbright191]

For the time, Red Dawn was great. Even the vechicals to aircaft were pretty damn close to keeping in realistic. Still watch it to this day.

[@raymondloya175]

I always played this scenario out sense I seen this movie as a kid The wolverine stuck to hit and run tactics Do the most collateral damage It's a good strategy for a invasion

[@QueenCallisto]

"Dawn's Early Light" is another excellent movie with Powers Boothe.

[@Yoseman1]

You're inferring that this was an excellent movie?

[@williamdurland3383]

This scene is simply the intersection of an amazing script and a truly masterfull acting performance, along with inspired cinematography. !!!!

[@williamdurland3383]

+70sdave34 , total lack of respect. ¡ Hola, pajaro eschua me, the bus to Venezuela leaves Eagle Pass in one hour. Carry all the toilet paper & food you can-you'll need it. MAGA !!!

[@Bradgilliswhammyman]

William...this scene is dumb, the writing is trite and unrealistic. The actor in this scene is a right wing blowhard.

[@rockzhard2009]

the remake didn't even come close to this masterpiece.

[@jacobs4545]

the remake was a drake and josh lost episode

[@Zennofobic]

as I Chinaman, I'm going to finally watch this movie now. Love John Milius and I've seen everything else he's done pretty much.

[@darrenwillett8536]

The Cuban/Nicaraguan army couldn't invade my neighborhood. Can you say implausible?

[@TheGoblinToe]

With Soviet air/naval support, and the country in chaos with communications down because of nuclear strikes on NORAD and other bases, they could have.

[@jesseg8945]

You obviously didn't see the movie......in the beginning it mentions that they gained a stronger army in this alternative timeline

[@veteran20002001]

They were supporting the Soviets to do mop-up operations as the Russians roll through.

[@notaclerk1]

Darren Willett also this was a time when communism was growing in central America and some people did not want us working against it. if we had not. they could have unified central America much like the countries of Eastern Europe were.

[@frozone_nj]

I think all of you are missing what actually determines modern war. The USA has FAR more techonolgical advancements than anyone in Latin America. In a realistic scenario, even with a few nukes to the face and communications down, the US military would absolutely annihilate the Latin Americans right after they invaded. It's not just about numbers.

[@jkjrkarmia514]

This is one of a kind movie never again to be made in the US Everyone knew it was tongue in cheek serious, Good old fashion eighties movies where there are black-and-white right and wrong

[@brianboisguilbert6985]

Man I remember the critics like Roger Ebert sh-tting themselves over this film. They called it "fascist", "xenophobic" and other high falootin' emotional progressive rants

[@DoBraveryFPS]

This movie was actually optimistic. In a realistic version, everyone would have died.

[@generalshadow2128]

If only it was ever as easy as black and white.

[@comm___4871]

@@DoBraveryFPS they died 20+ times in this movie realistically, especially with the hinds

[@starioskal]

It's finally coming, waited since the early 80s.

[@solidgaming1103]

Americans Stand together this is our hour of need!

[@helmutweikert3054]

Good fucken movie. The remake is pure shit though.

[@macdee6040]

They made a remake? (refuse to believe it exist)

[@tejano956brownsville6]

Mac Dee It's very shitty I heard their was gonna be a second part of red dawn.

[@frankroy9423]

I liked the Australian version