Search - Red Dawn on DVD

Red Dawn

Actor(s): Patrick Swayze, C. Thomas Howell, Ron O'Neal, William Smith, Powers Boothe
Director(s): John Milius
82

Movie Details

MPAA Rating: PG-13
Content Advisory: Not For Children, Adult Language, Profanity, War Violence
Movie Release: 1984
DVD Release: 02/04/1998
Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV,Pan and Scan
Audio Tracks: English, French
Subtitles: English, French, Spanish
SwapaDVD Credits: 1
Number of Discs: 1
Run Time: 1 hrs 54 mins
Studio: MGM
Members Wishing: 11
Genres: Action, Action Thriller, War Adventure
See Also: Red Dawn [Collector's Edition]

DVD Synopsis

Set at an indeterminate point in the future, this drama with an overt anti-communist message begins as an ostensible war movie: Russian and Cuban forces have invaded the U.S. and are viciously eliminating the inhabitants of a small town, when a group of teens escapes and plans a counterattack. Jed (Patrick Swayze), Robert (C. Thomas Howell), and six of their friends watch in amazement as soldiers parachute into their town and start shooting. The teens grab a pickup truck, stock up on supplies at the local store, and head for the hills. Meanwhile, the men in the town -- after a minimal resistance -- are rounded up and held at a drive-in theater converted into a concentration camp. The sadistic Soviet military then make them watch acclaimed Russian director Sergei Eisenstein's 1938 classic Alexander Nevsky, as their punishing rehabilitation begins. Meanwhile, after minimal resistance from the adults, a Cuban, Bella (Ron O'Neal), is put in charge and is not certain how he can really defeat the teen army. The Soviets and Cubans have so far defeated the American Army, Navy, Marines, and Air Force, but these teens are really something else. After a successful ambush, the teen guerrillas gear up for future forays, when they are suddenly betrayed by one of their number and by doubts about the morality of what they are doing. Red Dawn is noteworthy for being the first movie released with the PG-13 rating, created by the MPAA after public outcry over violent content in the PG-rated Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and Gremlins. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide

Actors

Patrick Swayze - Jed
C. Thomas Howell - Robert
Ron O'Neal - Bella
William Smith - Strelnikov
Powers Boothe - Andy

Editorial Review of DVD

John Milius' Reagan-era cold war adventure film Red Dawn comes to DVD with a pair of transfers. The widescreen transfer preserves the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1, and is preferable to the standard full-frame image. English and French soundtracks are rendered in Dolby Digital Surround. English, French, and Spanish subtitles are accessible. Supplemental materials include the original theatrical trailer, production notes, and trivia. This is a solid, though unspectacular release from MGM/UA that is appealing at its inexpensive list price. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide

Member Movie Reviews

Sara C. (SarithaAnn) wrote on 12/7/2008...

The US is under attack by Russia, Cuba, and their allies. The movie starts with enemy paratroopers landing in Colorado in front of a high school and then going into a take no prisoners attack on the school and town. A group of teenagers run into the mountains to escape. The movie then progresses with this group naming themselves the Wolverines and fighting against the enemy troops. The best way I can describe the movie is "The Outsiders" go to war. It was released in 1984 during the Reagan era and plays on the anti-Soviet emotions from that time and the Cold War.
Red Dawn stars many of the stars of the time such as Patrick Swayze, Jennifer Grey, C. Thomas Howell, Charlie Sheen, Lea Thompson, and others. It was a star studded movie that had mixed reception at the theaters. It is definitely not a feel good movie and shows a worst case scenario of what could happen if the US came under ground troop attack. It is also incredibly far fetched. If Russia were ever going to attack the US, I seriously doubt they will be sending ground troops into a remote part of Colorado hundreds of miles into the borders and be completely unseen. But that is the miracle of movies and the fictional world they get to live in.
This is definitely a guilty pleasure for me and not a movie I feel the need to watch over and over but I do seem to watch it every few years and it does entertain me. It is a "What if?" scenario movie that does not quite fully succeed but also is not a complete failure.