Woodyanders Cynical SAS captain Peter Skellen (ably played with firm and charismatic resolve by Lewis Collins) infiltrates a radical political group who are plotting a terrorist abduction of several American dignitaries who are visiting England. Director Ian Sharp, working from an absorbing script by Reginald Rose, relates the engrossing story at a steady pace, maintains a tough gritty tone throughout (thankfully, there's no silly humor with anyone making dopey quips after someone gets killed), generates a considerable amount of tension, and stages the explosive action in the last fifteen minutes with consummate skill and brio. Moreover, the filmmakers warrant additional praise for the way that they show how a group of left-wing radicals can be every bit as dangerous and misguided as right-wing fanatics. The sound acting from a sturdy cast rates as another major asset: Judy Davis delivers plenty of sexy and saucy pluck as passionate and dedicated group leader Frankie Leith, Richard Widmark portrays the role Secretary of State Arthur Currie with deliciously sardonic bite, and Ingrid Pitt radiates pure menace as the ruthless Helga, plus there are commendable contributions from Robert Webber as the hearty General Ira Potter, Edward Woodward as the pragmatic Commander Powell, Tony Doyle as the hard-nosed Colonel Hadley, and Rosalind Lloyd as Skellen's loving wife Jenny. Kudos are also in order for Phil Meheux's slick cinematography and Roy Budd's pulsating score. A real cracking winner.

Joxerlives I was 7 years old when the SAS stormed the Iranian Embassy, watching it live on TV. They seemed like characters from my 'Warlord', 'Victor' and 'Battle' comics brought to life. In the next few years they took part in the liberation of the Falkland Islands and killing of IRA terrorists at Loughgall and Gibraltar. Soon the 'Battle' comic became 'Battle; Action Force' (the British version of GI Joe) of which 'SAS-Force' became my firm favourite. I was too young to see this film at the cinema despite drooling over the posters but when it came out on video I had my older brother rent it for me time after time (oddly 'Dangermouse' was our other favourite pick). Growing up I loved 'The Professionals' and this really is 'The Professionals' movie that never was (the show still being broadcast when this hit the cinemas). Lewis Collins is just perfect in the role. He was a real life Territorial Army paratrooper and legend has it he applied for the Territorial SAS regiments but got turned down because he was too famous for their undercover role. A great deal of the film is highly realistic. The SAS training in the 'Killing House' at Hereford and escape and evasion in the nearby Welsh mountains is spot on. In the 1980s Arab governments such as Libya, Iraq and Iran really did sponsor terrorism in the UK and were supported by extreme left-wing politicians (the 'looney left') in the British parliament. The scene where the SAS storm Skellen's flat in order to rescue his family,(boring tiny holes in the wall in order to insert bugs, blasting in using a shaped explosive charge and killing the terrorists with 'double taps'to the head)is extremely true to life. The sequence where an SAS trooper catches fire whilst breaching the US Ambassador's residence is taken directly from real life events, Sgt John MacCleese of the SAS doing just that at the Iranian Embassy siege. Igrid Pitt's character is very blatantly based on Ulrike Meinhoff of the infamous German Baader/Meinhoff terrorist group. Bad points? Skellen's infiltration method is just plain ludicrous, seducing the terrorist leader in his blazer and tie? Come on, he should have gradually won their confidence by joining the movement at an entry level, handing out leaflets, taking part in marches etc When he rescues the hostage VIPs he should stay with them and protect them rather than take off on his own to hunt down the terrorist leaders. The scene where the SAS troopers dangling from the helicopter blast out the windows with grenade launchers before swinging through them is pure Hollywood. When the assault begins Edward Woodward's police commander should have made sure to phone the terrorists in order to distract them rather than refuse to answer their calls. All told though it's a great film. Some say it's anti-CND but that's not true, we see the terrorist's true colours when they use the CND peace symbol as target practice. It's made quite clear that the Bruce Kent figure disapproves of killing in the name of the 'cause'.I remember watching this with my unit of Sappers with us cheering all the way. When Skellen's character is asked by the terrorist played by Professionals/Dempsey and Makepeace regular Tony Osaba "What's happening?" only to get blown away as a result we all chorused together 'NOT YOU MATE!" So 'Who Dares Wins'? Great film but don't expect subtlety

manuel-pestalozzi ... just look at the poor Robert Webber character (great performance, once again!) who tries to wrestle a sub machine gun from one of the terrorists. Everything in this movie seems to be a little wrong. The biggest mistake in my opinion is the effort to give the action a firm footing in the actuality of the early 1980ies (the fundamental difference between this flick and the far more fantastic, ironic and therefore timeless Die Hard). The story comes through as a failed attempt to glorify the SAS commandos. Ideas like when a commando shouts „heads down" all good guys do it and all bad guys don't so that they can blast away ad lib (with a good conscience), that the main character does not get mown down by the gas masked commandos although he wears the same clothes and carries a weapon from their arsenal just seem to be unlikely and make it hard to take the movie seriously. And it just happens that it tries to be more than just fun. Don't talk about the toilet-mirror-signal episode ...I don't mind the criticism of the Pacifist movement as a shield for evildoers and the arguments between the peace fanatics and the settled, even headed representatives of power in this movie. But the political comment is rather lame and uninspired. This is insofar regrettable as the movie features an early performance of Judy Davies. She plays the main fanatic and seems to have done extensive studies on the „subject". Anyway, her performance is a notch above that of the others and somehow I feel the movie let her down.

brucevodka It's a combo of Dirty Harry and little drummer girl rolled up in my post 9/11 mind. These "Terror" films in the 80's are so innocent, yet violent and so telling of the future. They show it on cable every 2-3 weeks and I just keep watching it.It has great action, great passion and a mix of great American actors and those great "super English Cop" actors. Judy Davis and the English lead are great and he should have gone places in American cinema ala Clint. Proboly shot on a shoestring but doesn't look it at all. Special effects terrific. I watch this like "DOA" (1950ish) with Edmond O'Brien, small movie with lots of raw passion and dangerous people around and COMPELLING acting. Hope you like it as much as I.